Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - Week 2

Sunday, September 16, 2018
Today begins the second week of Lucy's battle with vestibular disease.  I'm seeing progress but oh so long way to go.  She fell out of my bed this morning landing on her back.  She just jump up clumsily, very startled.  Still very dizzy, disoriented and no control of her head.  She took a short walk around the block this morning and POOPED!  Yay!!  It's been a week since she had a bowel movement.  The pumpkin in her food must have really worked.  We're taking one day at a time...soon Lucy will be good as new!

Today is Saturday, September 22nd which ends the second week of Lucy's vestibular disease journey.  Lucy is still taking the prednisone every other day.  It's making her really thirsty and she's peeing a lot.  I feel bad for her because the urine just leaks out or she can't hold it in.  I'm up about four times during the night to take her outside to pee.   I'm using pee pads, covers, and  old towels to protect the sofa cushions and bed.  I've been washing all these coverings every day this past week.  Tons of work!

Lucy is doing pretty good otherwise.  She's walking but loses her balance periodically.  Her head is still tilted to the right which hasn't improved.

She lost some weight but she's eating pretty good now.  She still wants me to pamper her and bring the bowl of food to her on the couch and sit next to her while she eats!  I know she can eat from her bowl on the floor because she drinks her water that way, but she still needs that special attention until she's 100 percent.  I'll do whatever it takes so she eats.

There is something to be said nurturing a helpless animal back to heath.  I feel closer to Lucy than I ever did before.  I think she feels the same.  I just LOVE her so much!

Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - Week 1

Sunday Afternoon - September 9, 2018
I had a fun day today with my daughter and grand baby.  We went shopping and had lunch.  My daughter dropped me off at my house around 5pm.  I discovered that Lucy threw up on the rug.  I thought it was from the grass that she may have eaten.  She went outside and did her business, came back in the house and threw up again.  She didn't eat that evening and threw up some phlegm a little later.

Monday - September 10, 2018
I went to work today figuring Lucy had just an upset stomach and she'll be fine.  She did not eat her breakfast, but she did go on our morning walk and seemed okay.  She walked in a normal way and was in good spirits.
I came home from work anticipating if Lucy ate the food that I left out for her.  Ralphie came rushing to the door to greet me in his normal way.  As usual, Lucy didn't greet me at the door but darts out of my bedroom to the back door to go outside.  And that she did but she was flopping all over the place, she couldn't stand, her head was hanging in a tilted way.
I called my daughter frantically to tell her Lucy's condition.  How can this happen to my 3 year old baby girl!  I rushed her to the vet.  I had to carry her to the car ... 50 pounds of dead weight...ugh.  The doctor examined her and was pretty confident she has vestibular disease by her symptoms.  The doctor recommended to treat her for vestibular disease with medication and see how she feels in a week.  I was given dramamine to help her dizziness, ear drops for an infection, antibiotics, and prednisone.  Poor Lucy is really, really sick.

Tuesday - September 11, 2018
I worked from home today to nurse Lucy through the day.  Her condition is extremely bad.  She's not eating or drinking water.   It's difficult to give her the pills.  I actually have to stick the pills down her throat with my finger.  She can't walk.  She just sleeps on the couch.  It's been a stressful, sad day.  My once active, persnickety Lucy is totally helpless.

Wednesday - September 12, 2018
I went to work today but had a camera on Lucy all day to watch her while at work.  She didn't move from the couch.  She did not eat today...she hasn't eaten since Sunday morning.  I'm really worried.  I don't see any improvement.  I called the vet, left a message for the doctor.  I didn't get a return call.  I decided to start feeding Lucy baby food through a syringe just to get some kind of nutrition in her.

Thursday - September 13, 2018
I took today off but I had to go with my daughter to her doctor's appointment.  The vet called me.  I told the doctor I'm really worried that Lucy hasn't improves and still not eating.  She prescribed Diazepam which should help her with the vertigo and increase her appetite.  I gave her a half pill and it seems to be working.  Yay!!!

Friday - September 14, 2018
Lucy lost some weight.  Her harness is so loose.  I use it to take her outside so she doesn't fall in the pool.  She's still flopping all around, very dizzy with a severe head tilt.  But she is eating...yay!!

Saturday - September 15, 2018
I can see Lucy is improving.  She's still not eating her normal kibble, but she is eating wet dog food and gobbling up human food that she loves.  She is still unstable but able to get around by herself with a flop here and there.  She can jump up on the couch but not my bed yet.  I still can't trust her loose in the backyard because of the pool.  She actually took a short walk around the block today. I was hoping she would poop on our walk...she hasn't pooped since Sunday morning...that's a whole week!  I gave her some pumpkin in her food today, hoping that'll get her to move.

This past week has been a rough week for Lucy and for me!  My arms are bruised and pulled my back out from lifting her and carrying her outside.  It's been so hard. When I lift her she's all over the place, kicking legs, legs up in the air, head hanging down.  I can't even explain how difficult it's been for me.  She's so helpless and I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back to herself.  LOVE.

We Are Family

I love my Ralphie and Lucy so much but why oh why do they follow me everywhere...LOL  If I'm  relaxing on the sofa and they're snoozing...I get up, they get up and follow me to the kitchen, the bedroom, anywhere in the house.  They even follow me to the bathroom and shower...geesh no privacy.  LOL  There's nothing like your pooch sitting in the bathroom, staring as you're soaking and relaxing in a nice hot bath.  LOL  

My inquiring mind turned to Google to figure out this behavior.   I learned because dogs are pack animals, it's their instinct to do everything with their family.  Ralphie and Lucy look at me as a part of their family.  They love me so much and want to make sure we do everything together.  So sweet.

They are the best.   Ralphie and Lucy...follow me anywhere you want, anytime.  I love the both of you as much as you love me.  

In the bathroom.

In the shower.

Vizsla "Pet Me"

Whether you have a Vizsla already or thinking about getting one, we've either experienced or you will experience a demanding pup wanting more and more attention.  I'm not sure if any other breed is like the Vizsla...but I know for sure my Yorkie was not this persistent.  Check out my short video ... this is every day, every single day ... Every. Single. Day.

Happy 5th Birthday Ralphie!

August 4th was Ralphie's 5th birthday!  Of course we had a little birthday celebration with extra treats and a nice big bone.  Honestly, I've never had a dog quite like Ralphie.  He's the most amazing, loyal, kind, lovable friend.  I love him more and more each day.

At 5 years old Ralphie has become more laid-back, but still has spunk when he wants to.  His passion is chasing lizards and squirrels.  He really doesn't run and run like a crazy dog anymore.  He's a little more settled now.  I just love hugging him...he just sits there and takes it all in.  I've never been so close to a dog before until Ralphie came into my life.  He's really special.

Happy Birthday Big Boy.  I'm so looking forward to spending many, many more birthdays with you!
Love.

My handsome boy!

Happy Birthday #5!!!!!

Vizsla and New Baby

Gosh I haven't posted a blog in a long time.  A lot of things happening in life.  But the biggest change in my life is I became a Gigi!  Yes, a first-time grandma!  My daughter and her husband had a sweet baby girl.

I have to confess during my daughter's pregnancy I wondered, or let's say concerned how Ralphie and Lucy will act with baby Peyton's arrival.  Ralphie is pretty laid back so I wasn't too worried about him...but Lucy...my persnickety Lucy.  She's never been snarly with humans as she is with dogs.  But who knows if she may think Peyton is a 7 pound puppy.  Lucy does not like puppies.  So throughout the 9 months I kept thinking, more like worrying about Lucy's reaction to the baby.  Prior to Peyton's arrival I already had a plan... if Lucy can't accept Peyton, then my son will need to take her.  That would be the last alternative.  I would hate to separate Ralphie and Lucy.  They love each other.

Baby Peyton arrived!  Peyton's first visit to Gigi's home went well!!  Both Ralphie and Lucy were very curious but pretty much stayed their distance.  It is amazing how they knew that little baby was not a puppy or animal.  Lucy wasn't snarly, she was a lady and naturally knew her boundaries.  However, I always remember my mom's words of wisdom..."No matter how good your dog is, never trust a dog with a baby/child."

Ralphie & Lucy's Evening

Gosh, I haven't blogged about my two fur babies in a long time.  I sure can tell you they do keep me busy.  Vizslas are not for a couch potato human.  Sometimes I'm so exhausted after a day's work and while driving home I'm thinking how am I going to find the energy to play and walk Ralphie and Lucy.  They need more than around the block walk, 3 or more miles each day.  But I do it.  They look forward to their walk after playing, running and swimming in the backyard.  Deep down I know it's healthy for me too.  Thanks Ralphie and Lucy for getting me out there.

Today on our walk, right in my neighborhood, a guy stops his pickup truck and yells out, "What kind of dogs are those?"  "I always see you walking them and they are just so beautiful." "Do you breed them?"  I love the uniqueness of a Vizsla.  They are real head-turners.  And it almost seems like it's always a guy in a pickup truck in aww over their beauty.  LOL

We come home after our walk, then another jaunt in the backyard and in the house for their evening treat.  Their treat can be a rib bone or a frozen loaded peanut butter bong.  Tonight it's the bong.

Then cuddle time.

Ralphie & Lucy ... enjoying their evening treat.

Lucy...say cheese. Love that face.