Deaf? Eye ulcer.
- Thread starter M.F.
- Start date
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Poor darling Snowy but so glad he is feeling better 
I spoke too soon. I’ve been up the entire night with him. He was totally fine last night, happy and engaged up till bed time. Then at 10pm he desperately wanted to go out. My husband took him. I fell asleep but woke up when they came back and Snowie jumped onto the bed. He was cheerful then, but it is usually a sign of discomfort when he wants to be with us on the bed. My husband reported back that Snowie had tried to poo. Then went for a dip in the pool. And then managed a poo. I think he said he gave him some paracetamol in case he was still in pain, but I was half asleep.
Then, at 12.20am I heard him barking desperately to go out. I was in the deepest sleep so I’m guessing he’d been trying to wake me. He tried to poo, I don’t think anything came out. Dip in the pool—I think he finds it very soothing. Then onto the outdoor sofa and rigors. I stroked and massaged him. This was repeated countless times throughout the night. Lots of panting. Some groaning. His tummy felt in spasm but not bloated. Eventually I gave him a Buscopan but I don’t think it did anything. About 2 hours later he vomited. Then came inside to lie on his bed and panted for ages. Then outside and wandering for ages around the garden (it’s tiny, a postage stamp size). He did make a good wee so I am much relieved. I was worried about a blockage that might be causing the rigors (he has a bladder stone that the vet says better at his age not to operate). He hasn’t eaten anything out of the ordinary. So I have no idea what is going on. Perhaps a delayed response to the procedure? I don’t think so.
Just waiting for our vet to open. I did consider the emergency vet in the night, but it didn’t feel like an emergency and they’re very impersonal and usually want the dog to stay for observation. Well, I’d rather watch Snowie than leave him there in a cage with the chance of not being attended to if they’re busy.
I left my husband to sleep all night even though I desperately wanted support. I thought at least one of us should be alert today!
Then, at 12.20am I heard him barking desperately to go out. I was in the deepest sleep so I’m guessing he’d been trying to wake me. He tried to poo, I don’t think anything came out. Dip in the pool—I think he finds it very soothing. Then onto the outdoor sofa and rigors. I stroked and massaged him. This was repeated countless times throughout the night. Lots of panting. Some groaning. His tummy felt in spasm but not bloated. Eventually I gave him a Buscopan but I don’t think it did anything. About 2 hours later he vomited. Then came inside to lie on his bed and panted for ages. Then outside and wandering for ages around the garden (it’s tiny, a postage stamp size). He did make a good wee so I am much relieved. I was worried about a blockage that might be causing the rigors (he has a bladder stone that the vet says better at his age not to operate). He hasn’t eaten anything out of the ordinary. So I have no idea what is going on. Perhaps a delayed response to the procedure? I don’t think so.
Just waiting for our vet to open. I did consider the emergency vet in the night, but it didn’t feel like an emergency and they’re very impersonal and usually want the dog to stay for observation. Well, I’d rather watch Snowie than leave him there in a cage with the chance of not being attended to if they’re busy.
I left my husband to sleep all night even though I desperately wanted support. I thought at least one of us should be alert today!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
That's what I was thinking tooOh I’m sorry he’s had a setback
Did you manage to speak to your vet yet?
Hope this is just transient and he just poops and all is well
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
. Read your good news then my heart sank when I read your next post - poor Snowie and you must be exhausted
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
So sorry to hear that he's not so good again. As others have said, it sounds like the pain meds might have caused constipation. I do hope it's something that can easily be sorted. You've all been through more than enough already.
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Just catching up....I hope that Snowie is sorted by a vet now! And as others already have suggested I think that the meds could have caused this all.
- Location
- SW London UK
Oh no! Poor Snowie and poor you. So tricky with each ear having a different problem and then his eye too. I hope the painin his eye settles down soon and he is more comfortable. Pain meds may have caused stomack upset but then thats the last thing you need on top of everything and him being so visibly uncomfortable. I want to fly over and give you a and Snowie a big hug.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Oh no, everything is crossed
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Such a worry for you, I feel very much with you as Rourke seems to be going off his legs. I send my heart felt feelings to you and hope you have a successful vet consultation. x
Oh goodness poor Snowie!! I hope things are better once you get to the vet today. xxx
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
I am so sorry for this set back , fingers crossed that your Vet can help him
Thank you again for your concern.
We were fitted in at 10am. Vet very busy today. But he was thorough. He doesn’t know what caused Snowie to be so uncomfortable. He scanned him and there were no intestinal blockages. And the bladder stone is unchanged. But he has a massive prostate, which has grown since his last scan in 2022. It’s 10cm x 6cm if I understood correctly. My husband told me the numbers; I wasn’t paying good enough attention being so sleep deprived. The vet suspects a prostate infection and wants to take a biopsy tomorrow. He said Snowie was too uncomfortable today to be sedated. He gave him an anti nausea injection and an anti spasmodic (Buscopan) injection. No food for a few hours until the meds kick in. Snowie wasn’t interested in food when we got home anyway and is now fast asleep. He must be exhausted having not slept all night.
The vet wants us to consider either castration or meds to shrink the prostate. He said it can obstruct the passage of poo.
Snowie actually made a decent albeit soft poo this morning at around 7am, his usual poo time! But it was very smelly, like a vomit smell (yes I did inspect it!).
The vet initially suggested also giving an antibiotic injection today but then agreed to wait till tomorrow for the biopsy to see if there is an infection. (Not sure it’s actually a biopsy; he said something like an aspirate.) If infected, then perhaps that is why it’s so enlarged. If not an infection, then he’ll need it reduced by castration or meds. He doubts it’s cancerous; he said if it was, Snowie would’ve died from it years ago. He thinks it’s just age-related.
Anyway, we are all much relieved to be in his care. He’s our regular vet for the regular issues.
He said Snowie’s ear canals are very thickened and this contributes to poor hearing. He can hear (he did a hard clap) but not well at all. He responded to the clap, but not like a normal hearing dog.
Anyway, I am just relieved that Snowie is fast asleep and looking very comfy in his normal sleeping spot.
We were fitted in at 10am. Vet very busy today. But he was thorough. He doesn’t know what caused Snowie to be so uncomfortable. He scanned him and there were no intestinal blockages. And the bladder stone is unchanged. But he has a massive prostate, which has grown since his last scan in 2022. It’s 10cm x 6cm if I understood correctly. My husband told me the numbers; I wasn’t paying good enough attention being so sleep deprived. The vet suspects a prostate infection and wants to take a biopsy tomorrow. He said Snowie was too uncomfortable today to be sedated. He gave him an anti nausea injection and an anti spasmodic (Buscopan) injection. No food for a few hours until the meds kick in. Snowie wasn’t interested in food when we got home anyway and is now fast asleep. He must be exhausted having not slept all night.
The vet wants us to consider either castration or meds to shrink the prostate. He said it can obstruct the passage of poo.
Snowie actually made a decent albeit soft poo this morning at around 7am, his usual poo time! But it was very smelly, like a vomit smell (yes I did inspect it!).
The vet initially suggested also giving an antibiotic injection today but then agreed to wait till tomorrow for the biopsy to see if there is an infection. (Not sure it’s actually a biopsy; he said something like an aspirate.) If infected, then perhaps that is why it’s so enlarged. If not an infection, then he’ll need it reduced by castration or meds. He doubts it’s cancerous; he said if it was, Snowie would’ve died from it years ago. He thinks it’s just age-related.
Anyway, we are all much relieved to be in his care. He’s our regular vet for the regular issues.
He said Snowie’s ear canals are very thickened and this contributes to poor hearing. He can hear (he did a hard clap) but not well at all. He responded to the clap, but not like a normal hearing dog.
Anyway, I am just relieved that Snowie is fast asleep and looking very comfy in his normal sleeping spot.
@M.F. I am sorry for your worries and poor Snowie's troubles. If it is any consolation, Merlin has recovered extremely well from his castration in November, which was also due to an enlarged prostrate as well as atrophied testes.
Two of my previous dogs were treated for enlarged prostates at an advanced age. Bones was treated with medication (like the contraceptive chip) that worked well and reduced his prostate without the need for actual surgical castration (but his enlarged prostate was nowhere near the size of Snowie's). And many many years ago my first lab, a yellow boy named Leo, was castrated at age 11 or 12 due to enlarged prostate. He did very well and lived happily for several more years.
Two of my previous dogs were treated for enlarged prostates at an advanced age. Bones was treated with medication (like the contraceptive chip) that worked well and reduced his prostate without the need for actual surgical castration (but his enlarged prostate was nowhere near the size of Snowie's). And many many years ago my first lab, a yellow boy named Leo, was castrated at age 11 or 12 due to enlarged prostate. He did very well and lived happily for several more years.
Thank you @MellowYellow for sharing your experience of your dogs. It’s very comforting. I’m keen to try the meds first just in case removing the testosterone has a detrimental effect. Then we can stop them. The vet said the only factor for him was cost. Castration: R2,500 once off. Pills: R1,000 per month. I don’t think we have the chip in South Africa. At least, that’s what I was told some years ago.
We kept Snowie intact to protect his joints. And yes, he has excellent joints for his age. But I guess now there are other health issues to take into consideration.
We kept Snowie intact to protect his joints. And yes, he has excellent joints for his age. But I guess now there are other health issues to take into consideration.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
You are really going through the ringer! Sending all the good thoughts that Snowie improves soon and you don't have so many stressful firedrills.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Keep talking to him, even if he can't hear you.
I've told this story a million times here, but when Brogan went deaf and I finally realised that he really couldn't hear anything at all, I stopped talking to him. I'd taught him hand signals so we could function just fine, but for the everyday stuff - I talked to him constantly - I made myself stop because why talk to a dog who couldn't hear me? I lasted a very sad 1-2 weeks and then thought "Who the heck cares if he can't physically hear me?" and started talking to him again. We were both much happier.
