Had a stroke today or we think she did. she was outside for about 10 min and I called her in because it is really hot here. She came in and got a drink and layed down. well dd let the other dogs out and Taz couln't move her back legs she dragged them to the door. Dd closed the door and I made her lay down she was drooling real bad. I called hubby I didn't know what to do. it was 6:00 and every vet was closed called everyone in the book. ( I hate small towns) she started acting normal. I moved her out of the door way and put a cool towel on her. dh got home and she acted okay but just wasn't herself and he tried all the vets again hoping one would transfer to a home or something. We have her a asprin and she seems to be okay she just not herself. We are going to keep her down tonight and try again in the morning but around here we dont have a vet opened on the weekend. It just hurts my heart to see her like this we got her at 6 weeks old before our oldest dd was born. She is our baby and it hurts something horrible.

By Happynerdmom on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 09:00 pm:

Poor baby.

By Mom2three1968 on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 09:05 pm:

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog! Our animals become like our children. I sure hope she'll be okay!

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 11:55 pm:

Scott here, posting on my mom's account.

What your post doesn't say is whether the dog has regained use of her legs. The aspirin was most likely harmless but unnecessary - aspirin is a non-steroidal pain reliever, so even IF the dog had suffered a neurological event, aspirin (at an appropriate dose) would not have had any effect. That said, you ALSO didn't mention how much your dog weighs, how old she is, any pre-existing conditions and how many mg are in the aspirin, so who knows what's going on? I don't. Please please PLEASE, don't give people drugs to dogs or any other animals without consulting an animal health care professional. If you had given her Motrin or Tylenol, you'd be burying your dog the next day.

The most important thing for supporting an animal adversely affected by heat is rehydration and maintaining temperature. Shade and water is first priority, cold wet towels are next. Do NOT apply ice to a heat-stroked animal, as ice applied to the skin can induce hypothermia. It is possible for older dogs to suffer neurological events in extreme heat, but - again - we're missing info here. An 11-yo mastiff is old; an 11-yo toy-class terrier isn't so much.

If your dog HAD suffered a stroke, it most likely wouldn't get better over time or after return to normal temperature and hydration. "Strokes" are ruptured blood vessels in the brain. Not to be confused with "heat stroke," which is a physiological event which affects many organs but DOESN'T involve blown blood vessels.

Keep an eye on your dog. Support hydration and temp control as necessary. Keep her inside if you can; keep walks just long enough for her to do her business. Get through to the vet and get her seen as soon as possible.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 12:00 am:

Shann, I know how scary this is, and though he may sound clinical, so does Scott. He really loves dogs, especially his dog. When she had an adverse reaction to the morphine the orthopedic vet gave her after her second ligament surgery, and she kept whimpering, I don't know who was in more distress - Sascha or Scott. There is nothing like feeling helpless when a beloved pet is ill. We both hope your dog is much better in the morning.

By Hol on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 12:02 am:

Do you have a 24 hour animal emergency center; maybe in the next large city? I wouldn't wait until Monday. I would try to find one and get her checked out.

Very scary! (((HUGS)))

By Karen~admin on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 08:25 am:

Shann, I'm so sorry. Our pets are our *babies*, part of our families, and I know how you feel. Crossing my fingers for Taz. I freak out when something MINOR happens to my dog. Sending postive thoughts and prayers for your dog to recover.

By Nicki on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 10:09 pm:

I hope Taz will be okay. I know it's so frightening when our pets become ill, especially when we aren't able to get them help right away. Hope Taz is better.

By Shann on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 11:48 am:

She is doing much better today. She is still a little lame on her back right leg. She functions almost normally. I think it was heat related she was outside and it has been really hot here. I usually let her out for 5 -10 minutes I think that was to much. She is 13 years old border collie so she is pretty up there. When she was at the vet last he said to give her 1 baby asprin a day if we notice that she isn't getting around. old age and old bones is what he said and we noticed a huge difference in her. But dh and I talked and we don't want to let her suffer in anyway if its her time to go let her go with dignity and love and not by holding on and having her in pain just for us. Which its going to kill us all she has been the best dog in the world and no other dog will ever compair. We still couldn't find a vet open this weekend. We were going to take her to the city but she hates riding in the car and we figured 4 hours in a vehcial wouldn't be the best for her. we will take her in the morning.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 12:01 pm:

Shann, I am so glad she is better.

I agree with the general philosophy you and your husband hold - that when your dog can no longer live with dignity and relatively pain free, it is time to let her go. But I wonder if now is that time. Do listen carefully to what your vet says before you make that painful decision. Yes, 13 is fairly old age for a border collie, as their average life span is 13-15 years. But Taz has led a sheltered and well-cared for life and that can make a difference. I don't hold with keeping an animal "going" if the animal is in chronic pain that interferes with all of it's life activities, but - and I guess I'm projecting a bit - we know our Sascha has chronic pain from her hip problems and arthritis, but we are using medications to keep the pain under control and she seems to be a very, very happy dog, responding to us, wanting to play, wanting petting and contact and love.
I've made the decision you and your husband are contemplating more times than I care to think of, having inherited 6 aging cats from my mother. But for Sascha, I don't think it is time yet and neither does Scott, who would never NEVER keep an animal going in pain just for his needs.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if Taz is still interacting with you and your family, still seeking petting and play and loving contact, she may in general be a happy dog with some age-related issues, which is different from being a dog who cannot enjoy life or living. But in the end, the decision has to be made by you and dh and your vet, and no one who is not "there" has the right to judge your decision.

And I do agree with your decision not to put her through the 4 hour car ride, given that it would only stress her out. That was clearly the right decision.

By Nicki on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 01:46 pm:

Sounds like Taz has a very wonderful home with lots of love. Glad she's feeling a bit better today.

By Shann on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 10:00 pm:

I agree Ginny whole heartedly. She seems to be almost what she was before her little episode she is doing really good. I know it was heat related and I think she just had a spell. We are going to take her in tomorrow to make sure all is good. Right now I don't think its her time to go. She will try to play she is a frezbee dog hubby will give her frezbee but she will just chew on it or lay on it she wont run and catch anymore she is going blind and cant see it all that well. but she is still active time will tell but that times not now. but I know when it is time it is going to kill us all. My mom got her for us when hubby and I first moved into together ( she was hubbys christmas gift) and she was and is the best ever

By Yjja123 on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 10:03 am:

Glad to hear that she is doing better!