Quote:
Originally Posted by Clazziquai  So I took Lincoln, my 7 year old Yorkie I got about a week ago, to the vet 2 days ago to fix an ear infection that's been bothering him. Well, all was fine up until this morning. He's been on Prednisone once a day and Baytrix twice a day with some ear drops.
We woke up this morning around 9 to go get breakfast and when I set him down he just completely fell over! His back legs don't work! All the vets are closed until tomorrow and I can't afford an emergency vet unless it's a real emergency. Is this an emergency or will he be alright until tomorrow? |
I have had a couple of dogs with ear infections....they were not severe ear infections, but they were treated for the ear infections. I have had a dog stagger and stumble, and shake their head because of an ear infection. I have never had a dog that was being treated for an ear infection, essentially "fine" one day, then in the condition you described in your post the next day. What you described above is indeed "paralysis of his lower limbs". We took what was in your own words seriously, and gave advice based strictly on what you said. Then you asked if it was an emergency or could it wait. Some of us have had many many years experience with these dogs....perhaps dogs in general. There are indeed instances where it could wait....if your dog was scratching at his ears, or shaking his head, or rubbing his head/ears across the carpet....that is "just" an indication that he is tormented by symptoms.....while it would be difficult for most of us to watch our babies tormented or in distress or pain, symptoms like this are not what most of us would call critical, life or death situations, and we would at least feel safe waiting a day to see a vet. But when we have a pet that wakes up and has paralysis in his hind legs, cant stand up, and falls over when put on his feet, most of us consider that an emergency. No one suggested you were a bad owner....you gave a description of symptoms and asked for opinions, which you received.....your age has nothing to do with anything. I have NEVER called a vet of any kind and been told over the phone, especially when the dog has not even been seen by staff, to "just watch him and come in tomorrow". If your dog dies of respiratory failure because the paralysis creeps up the level of his spine and during the night and he suffocates, well you could sue that vet I would imagine! In any event, best of luck with your pup....praying it is reaction to the medication as opposed to a systemic toxic infection or menningitis from the ear infection.