I am Walter and this is my World.

I am Walter and this is my World.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

much better pug

 UPDATE: Smudge is doing much better. A food allergy was the most likely cause, they're monitoring her and  she's doing much MUCH better. Thank you for all the great SMART suggestions!! XOXOXOXO

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You guys, medical advice is needed for my friend who has an elderly pug she rescued from a mill. "Smudge." My friend is going to her regular vet in the morning, but if this reminds you of anything, or you have any ideas what she should ask the vet to look for/check/test, please let me know. I don't think a sudden change in behavior is indicative of weight trouble. I also don't think now is necessarily the time to change her diet...
  xoxoxoxoxo H =

Here's what she posted:

So Smudge and I have been at the emergency vet for 3 hours. She is acting lethargic and not her usual...She kind of cowers from me at first. and won't use the stairs. The emergency vet checked her paws, hips, legs, neck for pain and said she didn't have any discomfort. Smudge weighs 20 lbs and this broad said she should weigh 14lbs! I almost s...wallowed my own tongue when she said that.
She started a new diet today so we'll see if dropping a few lbs helps her breathing. But it really doesn't address the rest of her odd behavior which started on Friday.

She ate today I fed her a 1/3 of a cup instead of a half. She won't go outside to pee. It's like while I was at work on Friday she suffered something traumatic that has her all out of sorts. She still hasn't used the stairs to get to the second floor though emergency vet checked her paws legs hips etc and said sometimes if a dog has a stiff neck they don't want to go down stairs head first which was about the only thing she said that made sense.

I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of the palette surgery but this woman was so clinical and unfeeling. Plus 20 lbs doesn't seem "MORBIDLY OBESE" I know she's a barrel but I give her diet food in measured doses and no people food and walk her everyday so wtf??

I realize when it's hot smudge gets less exercize than usual.
I'm watching her like a hawk from the corner of my eye so she won't feel observed. She's eating, drinking, peed on her pad etc it seems behavioral. But won't go outside on her own.
My god I wish she would just tell me what is wrong. 

11 comments:

Kathleen said...

I'm so sorry to hear that Smudge is in such a bad place. I have no idea what this could be, but I contacted the organizer of one of the best groups of pug angels you'll ever meet. Hopefully someone will have some insight.
I'll be keeping Smudge in my prayers.

Kathleen

Kelly said...

Oh poor Smudge! It really would be so much easier if they could just talk.

I am really not sure what is going on except to say that I think the emergency vet is way off. Being overweight is not causing these behavioral changes. Nor are palette issues.

Nobody knows Smudge better than her owner. She should trust her instincts. I really hope their normal vet can help! I am wondering if maybe she injured her back. The cowering and stair issues make me think she must be in some pain...

Please keep us updated, Heather!

Southern Fried Pugs said...

Completely agree with Pearl, that your friend must trust her gut above all else.
Weight and or palette issues do not cause overnight changes. And recommending an immediate diet change is insane.
My best guess would be that she could have a pinched nerve or something spinal. Is is possible that something fell on her? Injuring her back and scaring her? Could she have fallen down the stairs?
Did the vet do an x-ray? Many dogs are amazing at hiding pain, although when Tallulah had a compressed disk, she screamed in pain. But then again, she's named after a drama queen, so who knows.

Sending good wishes and pug hugs to Smudge and a smack upside the head to that vet,
The Southern Friend Pugs

agent99 said...

I think its time for a 2nd opinion. The vet sounds way off. Yes, Smudge may be a bit "zaftig" (yiddish for fat) but that is not an acute issue, and is not likely to be the sole cause of this immediate issue.
You dont mention her age....it coud be a host of things: minor seizure, tooth infection, urinary tract infection.....
Sendig the Power of the Paw tohelp Smudge heal!!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Heather
Gee,,,, this is terrible about Smudge not knowing what is wrong.
One time I (me- Tweedles) acted strange - hiding and cowering ,,,, and moms took me to the vet, They could not find what was wrong, but the vet gave a muscle relaxnt, and the next day, I was fine. So moms thought it must have been a hurt back somehow,,, like fall off the back of the couch or something.
I hope Smudge gets better, I will keep her in my thoughts.
love
tweedles

Unknown said...

I am passing on all your thoughts, and making these suggestions, rest assured my friend is a top-notch pug mama and will find the cause for Smudges poor health. You guys are the best!!! (and keep making any suggestions you think of!) xoxoxo

Sequoia & Petunia & Emma said...

First let her know Sequoia is 22lbs and yes I know she is overwieght but I would love for her to weigh 20lbs like Smudge!!!

I know when animals get sick they try to hide and act scared. I hope they did a blood and urine test. We wishe her good luck at the other vet and many hugs to lil Smudge and the power of the paw.

Hugs,
S&P

Harry Pugalicious said...

The only think I can think is maybe a seizure? I'm just thinking back to when our friend, the original Beefy Pug, Penny started having problems. Hopefully a 2nd (better) vet will check for this too.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

we came to check on Smudge!
love
tweedles

Becky said...

Poor Smudge! Maybe she is having vision problems. Definitely a second opinion is needed. Hope she feels better soon. Pug hugs!!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

thank you for the update on Smudge
love
tweedles