Ozzy declining;vet report Post 24

[Freedom]

second episode, post 10. Vet report, post 17.

Ozzy has a heart murmur. He is a rescue, so we don't know his history. The vet believes it is likely something which came on with old age, rather than something he had all his life. He is not on any meds for it.

This afternoon I took the 4 dogs for a walk. We went slowly. All of a sudden I felt a lot of pulling on one leash. Turned and Ozzy was thrashing around, couldn't keep his feet under him even though he was trying, then he collapsed on the ground. His eyes were closed. I was so frightened, that he'd died. I picked him up and cradled him, moving quickly towards the car. I was talking to him, and rubbing him. He was totally limp. Then he arched his back, tilted his head and gave a horrible howl. I really thought it was the "death howl," and this was the end.

Barely second later, he rolled over in my arms and opened his eyes. NOW I could feel his heart beating rapidly. Got to the car, hustled the others in, and sat holding Ozzy. He was awake but clearly out of it. I did open the car and gently set him on the ground to see if he would stand and he did. I couldn't decide whether to go to the vet or head home, but I decided to return home.

I carried him in the house and settled him in a donut bed with a blankie. He slept for several hours This evening, he ate all his supper. Never anything wrong with this boy's appetite! He is wobbly, a bit more so than he was yesterday before all this happened. But otherwise, he seems his "old" self. (Pun intended.)

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/Siggy/BLC%20dog%20pics%20for%20sig/DogBash2.jpg

Ozzy has slowed down SO much since mid August. This is just one more step in his decline. I'm still worried about him, but I don't think there is much the vet could do, check him over, tell me he is old, maybe he had a stroke, a heart attack, or a seizure. Well, I already know all that, don't need to spend money for it.

Just wanted to share what happened, not much point in this post otherwise I guess.

[chocolatepuppy]

Poor Ozzy.:( That must have been scary for you Sandie. Pawsitive thoughts and prayers headed Ozzys way.

[Ginger's Mom]

Wow, that is very scary. I hope he is feeling better today. It may be a good idea to get him checked out just to make sure nothing new is going on with him.

[Pam]

Don't be silly. Of course there is a reason for this post. We all love Ozzy and are here to worry right along with you. How scary for you! After stressful times like that my knees turn to jello. I can handle a crisis but then fall apart after. Good for you for remaining calm and giving him the comfort and reassurance he needed at the time. I guess you could give the vet a call just to report the incident, but I agree that you may just be told it is part of the aging process and to keep him comfortable. Is Ozzy on any medication?

[pomtzu]

Poor Ozzie, but it sounds like a definite seizure to me. One of my Lhasas that I had years ago had them off and on for several years on top of being a diabetic. It started with one occassionally - maybe every 3 or 4 months that I knew of anyway (don't know about when I was at work), and then became more frequent. She was also blind from the diabetis. The frequency increased till at the end she was seizing several times a week, and then every day, and I had to let her go at that point. She was 16 at the time. She would fall down, give out that wail that sounded like the combo of a scream and howl (it gave me chills to hear it), and when she came out of it was totally disoriented and lethargic for hours afterward - then she would be back to normal. The vet told me that they have no memory of it, so that was comforting to me anyway. I would just sit with her and talk to her, and when it was over, just let her sleep it off. I have to admit the first one she had was so frightening to me - I put her in the car and broke every speed limit posted to get her to the vet. It's a wonder I didn't kill both of us. So I hope that Ozzie is feeling somewhat better today. Hang in there Sandie.

[Freedom]

Thank you so much everyone. Pam, no Ozzy is not on any meds. He does have eye drops regularly (3 different drops, 3 times per day) for his eyes. I do think it is mostly age at this point. So sad to see him like this. :(

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh my gosh. I got tears in my eyes while reading this. Poor Ozzy. Yes, it was probably a seizure. And there's not much the vet would do. Zoee had another seizure last Saturday and I took her to the ER vet. They kept her all day to monitor her. Nothing happened. No more seizures. So I've learned my lesson. I'm not going to rush her to the vet every time this happens. Too expensive. Unless of course they become worse or more frequent. But it sure is scary while it's happening!!

Hugs to Ozzy and you! :)

[lvpets2002]

:eek: Oh no Sandie that would have scared me to death.. Now was Ozzy having a seizure of some kind?? Ozzy get well real soon ok.. Pawsitive Vibes & Prayers..

[cassiesmom]

Oh, Ozzy ... I can see why that gave your dear mom a scare ... Sandie, I am so thankful that Ozzy has had you in his life these past months!

[Freedom]

Ozzy had another seizure (if that is what these are) here at home, about half n hour ago. The only difference that I could see, was that this one had much less energy to it. Well, he never fully came back after the first one, and has been rather lethargic and low energy ever since.

He'd been sleeping in his donut bed for several hours. He got up and started across the room, had that same issue with his back legs. I went over to move him away from a chair, and help him onto his feet, when he went limp. Once he was laying on the floor, he started barking, his back was arched a bit. Once that passed, I picked him up and sat holding him, gentle long slow strokes. He was so COLD, his nose, his feet, even inside his ears. after a while he started warming up again. I've just placed him back in his donut bed for a bit.

It is tough getting old.

[chocolatepuppy]

Gentle hugs to Ozzy. {hugs}

[MoonandBean]

I am so sorry you and Ozzy are going through this! I will add him to my prayers! :love:

[Scooter's Mom]

This is a heartbreaking update. Please give him some hugs from me... and Oreo. Oreo is forever grateful to Ozzy for the sweaters Ozzy shared with him.

Hugs to you as well, Sandie.

Crystal

[Daisy and Delilah]

Sandie, I'm so sorry I'm just seeing this thread. I am so sorry. I just want to hear that Ozzy has no more seizures and he's feeling great.:( The little fella could not be in a better home than he is with you.
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[Taz_Zoee]

Poor Ozzy. :( I know how stressful that is not only for Ozzy, but you as well Sandie. I am sure you are doing everything possible to keep Mr Ozzy as comfortable as you can.

Hugs to all of you!

[ramanth]

Poor Ozzy. :( Many prayers and healing vibes for him. :love:

[Freedom]

Just returned from the vet.

She doesn't think these are seizures, sounds more like he faints. He is in heart failure. This is forward heart failure. In rear end heart failure, there is a fluid build up, and she has meds for that. In front heart failure, the heart just slows down. He has a low body temperature, and poor circulation. She said he probably feels tired, and light headed.

He is not in any pain.

She said our options are:
- take him to a cardiologist, who will do an EKG, ultrasound, maybe some other tests. Ozzy is "at least 15."
- PTS
- keep him comfortable here at home. Eventually one of these "faints," his heart rate will be so low he will die. Not a painful death, very quick in fact.

So for now he is home, and I'll see how things go.

Separate from this, he has a slipped disk in his back, and has little control over his hind legs at this point. One leg he has no feeling or movement, the other he has slight feeling and movement.

[lvpets2002]

:( Aweee Poor Wittle Ozzy.. Sandy I know your just beside yourself right now.. Stay Calm & just give Ozzy all the comfort he needs.. Sending Lots of Prayers & Huggss..

[pomtzu]

So sorry to hear that Ozzie is doing poorly. Just give him lots of lovin' and keep him comfy!

[k9krazee]

Oh, poor old man! He'll be in my thoughts. :love:

[Daisy and Delilah]

I'm so very sorry, Sandie. I don't know what to say except I'm keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. {{{{{GIANT HUGS}}}}}

[Ginger's Mom]

I am sorry to hear that the news at from the vet couldn't be more encouraging. {{{Hugs}}}

[jennielynn1970]

Poor Ozzy. I'll be keeping the little guy in my thoughts and prayers.

[Freedom]

Memorial posting is here:
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?p=2088746#post2088746