It seems our poor old dog has had a stroke *update added*

[TorchTheWitch]

17. no, it was a stroke

Last edited Thu Jan 15, 2015, 04:38 AM - Edit history (1)

She had all her symptoms all at once though. Gads, I remember those rapid shaking eyeballs from side to side - that was freaky. She went and hid between the wall and the side of the sofa (one of her favorite hiding places for an uninterrupted nap), and I never saw myself how she moved, but what my mom described was just like you said about your dog. I remember that like it was yesterday because that conversation also included the horrible explanation that she might have to be put to sleep when they took her to the vet... I sobbed on my bed before they even put her in the cat carrier until they came home. I was just a kid at the time... junior high, but I don't remember what grade.

We were just shocked that she ended up coming home. She wasn't old then though, so maybe that had something to do with it. Or that she was a cat. Or something. I'm guessing she was probably around maybe eight years old? Could be less than that, but I don't think it was older. I can't remember if she had to take any meds of any kind for the short term. I'm thinking not because I'd likely remember my parents trying to get a pill down her... she would have fought like a dragon! She didn't take anything for the long term or have special food or anything. She just mended in time which was surprisingly short. Maybe she was just lucky that other than that goofy wee head tilt she was fine. It just took her awhile to renegotiate how to move to get through a doorway or get her head in the food or water bowl since she kilted to the left. Some people have strokes they almost fully recover from while other people have stokes that just almost completely debilitate them permanently or kill them. I guess it would be the same for animals.

I think you definitely did the right thing hard as that decision always is. Quality of life is important. If they can't do all the basics (eat, drink ambulate successfully, pee and poo normally, are in pain or suffering in some other way) it's time to make that really horrible judgment call. Ugh, just thinking about it makes me want to cry!

I'll share with you what one of my brother's did with me after I lost my first furbaby... it was the last act of love you could have given. And it really is.