Tuesday, August 31, 2010

BUDDY

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Last Saturday, after we were back from our evening walk and have had our dinner, Buddy suddenly started shaking. Just like one does when one is cold. It has been raining and the temperatures were down. But not enough to really make us shiver.Besides, we have had a particularly active walk, trying our best to get away from Daddy to chase two cats and a pack of strays. (But to no avail, sadly)
There was no way Buddy was shivering from cold. And that fact got us all very, very worried.
Mummy wrapped him in a shawl, just in case, and asked him what the matter was. He responded by licking her face but seemed a little confused about what was happening.
He had stopped shivering by now. It had lasted for just maybe some 30 seconds and then for a few more seconds, his head and ears kept twitching.
What was worrying Mummy was the thought that he might be having a petit-mal seizure.
Petit-mal seizure is a milder form of seizure where there may be twitching of focal groups of muscles. It makes you feel dazed and confused for some time and there maybe some changes in the size of the pupil. There may be a bit of limp and unsteadiness when you try to walk. Apart from that you seem fine. But the danger is that you can have major fits and have difficulty in breathing if the seizure activity continues.
Mummy instantly lowered the TV volume, dimmed some lights and sat down talking to him, watching him, trying to decipher what was wrong. His pupils were fine, he was breathing fine, was responsive and very much conscious but seemed confused. He also felt a little warm to touch, at least warmer than I was.
And then, he tried to get up and walk to the bedroom and he wobbled and we all realised he had developed a limp. That got Mummy and Daddy really worried.
Daddy tried to make him lie down but Buddy seemed very eager to go to bed and limped to the bedroom. Finally Daddy just picked him up and took him to the bed. All this while, I was watching him from a distance with rapt attention without as much as blinking an eye-lid.I knew something was wrong.

Mummy felt his legs. Had he injured a ligament somewhere? Is there something in his paws? He is, after all. always on his paws, always active, always ready to chase any and everything chase-worthy!

Yes, Buddy did winch when Daddy palpated his left front paw. The joint was fine, no dislocation. So probably he had injured a muscle or torn a ligament. That was much better than having a seizure, however mild the latter may be.
By now Buddy was sleeping peacefully, with me lying next to him to keep him warm and safe.

But Mummy was worried stiff.
Seizures were not very common, just about 4 in hundred dogs. But those statistics were true for episodes of grand-mal epilepsy. Petit mal seizures and such minor focal fits often go unnoticed and can be seen in many dogs following stress, trauma, food allergies or even without any inciting factor when it is called idiopathic. These can recur and the worst part is, there isn’t any test that can detect any abnormality because there isn’t one in most cases.
We are all just hoping Buddy hasn’t had an episode of petit-mal seizure induced by probably that injured ligament and the following pain. Let us just hope it was just the pain and fever that caused him to shiver.

He seemed better the following morning. he still had a mild fever, was still unsteady on his legs and kept lifting his front paw but seemed very eager to go out for his walk.
I took it upon myself to look out for him. It is usually he who chases the squirrels and cats and lizards, checks behind the large bushes and trees, often disappearing into the tall grass. I prefer to run alongside Daddy and keep to the road at most times unless something really interesting appears.
But that day, Buddy wasn’t inclined to pursue his usual activities with much vigour and I tried to keep his tradition going. Mummy and Daddy were rather surprised, but a girl has to look out for her brother when the need arises.
Even with his limited activity, Buddy was tired when he came back. It breaks our heart to see him so quiet and subdued, He is usually a large bundle of energy,so athletic and so very aware of his surroundings. Now he just wanted to lie down and watch the world, holding his favourite toy, unwilling even to come up to the table to smell the food.
It was so endearing that he still wanted his toy and wanted to cuddle up to Mummy and Daddy and me. He walked wobbly pawed to the toy basket, picked up his favourite toy and came sat down at Mummy’s feet under the table while she had her morning-tea.
He has been taking his medicines, eating well and doesn’t have a fever today. And his limp is much better. He even tried to chase a cat and stand up on his rear paws to scare away the lizard who lives on our living room wall.
But Mummy wouldn’t let him. she wouldn’t let me play with him too in case he injures his paw further. It makes me very sad because I do enjoy my daily bitey-face game with my brother.
But I want him to get well soon too. So, for now, I am just concentrating on being a good, gentle girl.

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Hope he gets well soon. Mummy says she will take him to get a CT scan done to rule out any lesion in his brain, just in case that was a seizure. But that is after he is back to being his usual active self. It wouldn’t be good to expose him to unnecessary tests when he is already stressed about his paw.
I really don’t want anything to be wrong with him. He is such a good brother all the time, always so loving and indulgent (he lets me win all our games though he could easily over-power me) and really looks out for me.
Get well soon, Buddy. We love you.
Wags,
 

27 comments:

3 doxies said...

Oh No, Poor Buddy! I am so sorry to hear he been down. You such a good sissy Ginger.
Let us know how he does.

Puddles

Unknown said...

I am so sorry Ginger that your brother Buddy isnt feeling good. We send over the power of the paw and hope he feels better soon.

Wags,
Haylie and Fred

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Oh dear, we are so sorry to read this. It is very worrisome to all of us when one of us isn't doing well. We hope that Buddy is OK and is feeling like himself very soon. Paws crossed it is nothing serious.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Nelly said...

We are sending Airezen for Buddy, Ginger! Hope he is feeling better very soon.
Nibbles & Headrubs
Nelly & Finni xx

JD and Max said...

Oh no, poor Buddy! We're sending all our healing vibes your way. We're pleased you're being such a great sister Ginger - we've often wondered what it would be like to have a sister and we think we'd like one if she was like you!

Take care everyone - we hope our parcel will cheer you up when it gets there.

Take care everyone - big schnauzer snuggles, JD and Max.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Poor Buddy.....and the rest of you. We know it is worrying when one of us is unwell. Hope it's just a one-off.

We know he's getting the best of care and love.

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Ginger,

I knows dat you will helps to take good cares of your brudder. Give him extra luvins and licks. I am sending puppy prayers to all of you. Please keep us posted on hims.

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Mariodacat said...

Oh Buddy - I do hope it isn't anything serious like a seizure. Will send you healing purrs and keep my paws crossed for you. purr purr purr purr purr purr

Molly the Airedale said...

We're sending Buddy lots of AireZen! Our paws are crossed that this is nothing serious!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Buddy, please get well! We are so sorry that this has happened and please let us know how he is doing. We know how stressful it is to have a sick one. Holly has her paws crossed and I'm sending healing vibes to all of you. Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

♥ Sallie said...

I hope he is ok! Keep us updated, please!

houndstooth said...

Ginger, before I lived here with Mom and Dad, there was another Greyhound here named Treat. She had epilepsy and had severe grand mal seizures. Some of hers would last over fifteen minutes. I heard that they were very scary to watch. After other causes were ruled out and they decided she had epilepsy, she started on some medicine. When she found the right medicine, she was fine, and she lived a VERY active life, traveling on vacations, being an ambassadog for Greyhounds at Meet and Greets, volunteering to be a Therapy dog and a READ dog. It didn't hold her back at all. I have my paws crossed for Buddy, but tell your mom not to get too freaked out. He can still be totally fine if he does.

Bunny

Kari in Alaska said...

Oh I sure hope he feels better soon

The Daily Pip said...

Oh Ginger, you are a wonderful sister and we are praying that Buddy is feeling better soon.

Your pal, Pip

Anonymous said...

Wow - you've got me stumped. I have absolutely no idea what that could be. I am so sorry, and I really hope that you guys will figure it out.

Sometimes when Simba is in the car and we are stopped at a stoplight he gets overly excited and shakes and moans a little bit, but we were told that that is just from over excitement. Maybe that is petit mal seizures? Hmm...I hope you are ok.

God Bless you!

Granite State Pet Sitting said...

We sure hope Buddy feels better really soon. All paws crossed here in Nh for him.

Chewy said...

oh no! I'll keep my paws crossed for buddy! I hope he gets better!

Paws and Licks
Chewy

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

All our paws and things are crossed for Buddy's speedy and full recovery. If he was a Shar Pei, I'd say he had a touch of Shar Pei fever, but he's not. I wonder if other breeds are prone to similar things. It's lucky he's got his own medical staff right at home. Please keep us posted on his condition. I do so hope he's on his way back to normal even now.

lotsa get well licks, Lola

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

My paws are khrossed with lots of Sibe Vibes being sent -

I hope by the time woo read this khomment, Buddy will be feeling more like BUDDY!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Nubbin' Tails said...

Poor guy! We hope you are back on your feet soon. Way to go Ginger on watching out for your brother!

Wags!

Mr. Nubbin'

Unknown said...

Oh poor Buddy!!!
We are sending all our well wishes to you! Hope you get better soon.

Teddy Bear said...

Oh, Buddy, we are so sad to hear that you're not feeling well. We are sending you lots and lots of healing vibes and big hugs.

Love,
Teddy Bear

jabblog said...

Ginger, you are such a good girl. I do hope Buddy is feeling much better now and that it's nothing more serious than an injury to a paw. Your mummy is right though, that focal seizures can go unnoticed and I hope it's not that. Poor Buddy will be watched very closely now. Frodo the Faller says to tell Buddy not to worry - all will be well.
x x x

koko said...

Sorry to hear about Buddy's seizure episode... hope he will get well soon. You're such a good sis, Ginger. Keeping our paws crossed and do keep us inform of his progress.

Licks, hero

Kate said...

OOO that is no good, but I am glad that you are doing such a good job of keeping an eye on your brother!

EWWWWWW a lizard on your wall?

EEk I think Ma would scream and never be seen again if that was in our house! I probably wouldnt be to keen either...

Get well soon Buddy!

the booker man said...

miss gin-gin,
poor buddy! me and asa and mama hope that it is just a paw booboo and not a seizure, too.
you are a super most wonderful sis to be takin' special care of buddy. i just know your attentions are helpin' him feel the betterment even faster.
pretty please woof to him that me and asa and mama are thinkin' of him!
*woof*
the booker man

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you don't feel well Buddy. I am holding pawsitive thoughts for your speedy and quick recovery from what is hopefully a minor malady.

Sayin pawrares for ya pal,
Roo

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