Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Tilting head

I hesitated, wondering whether to post this entry or not. It is, after all, a shameless cry for reassurance and sympathy and totally out of character for a hard-hearted woman such as myself, who is not really all that “doggie”, or soppy and emotional…and all that…really…

But when I looked in Porridge’s ear this morning, I saw this :






And panicked.

And drove for an hour to our special vet, and waited for more hours.

And then held her down while a new vet poked about in there and told me that she was bleeding and sore in her ear canal but her eardrum wasn’t affected, because our special vet was doing the same to another dog and we were an emergency without an appointment.


And new vet looked worryingly the same age as Darling daughter, had she qualified yesterday? Had she qualified? Perhaps she had walked in off the street.


And new vet said she wasn’t allowed to roll about in fields in case she got anything in her ear, because then it would really start to hurt. Or go in sea water. Or any water.


And new vet gave her some nice strong painkiller anti inflammatory pills to take, along with all the other stuff we have to slop in her ears twice a day.


And new vet said “Above all..”, yes, she said “Above all, if she tilts her head to one side, come back immediately!”

Well how can you tell when she is so out of it on her nice new drugs, that’s what I want to know?


Feel free to reassure me and sympathise, I am quite available when I am not dog watching for a tilting head.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reassurance. Sympathy. Oh dear. And how is "tilt" defined? is there a minimum angle? length of time? All very worrying.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, it's just as worrying as having a sick child, isn't it? Hope she recovers quickly, and you too!

Zhoen said...

Nothing so helplessly worrying than a sick wee critter under our care.

New docs have the best science, not always the best real life practical understanding.

Poor puppy.

Rosie said...

thank you ladies, just what I needed...fussing over.
Her head is on straight for the moment. Perhaps I need a spirit level

Mrs. Chili said...

Goodness. I walk about with a tilted head MOST of the time. What do you suppose THAT signifies?

Suzy said...

Lord I never aged so much as whenever my Yorkie was sick.

The worst is that a child can cry and maybe point and talk out the pain. Dogs (and cats) can't and it's all the worse for us, their parents.

Godspeed Sir Tiltahead!

Jean said...

I think this would be repeated, unnatural and very noticeable tilting. Don't follow the poor dog around peering at her or goodness knows what strange, uncharacteristic behaviour you might provoke!

Seriously, try not to worry too much and I hope the ear is better soon.

hexe said...

I hope that dogs are like children and recover quickly. I wouldn't let an errant heead tilt worry you unless it is reoccurring.

hexe said...

I hope that dogs are like children and recover quickly. I wouldn't let an errant heead tilt worry you unless it is reoccurring.

Ms Mac said...

Awww, poor puppy. I am sure it'll all be fine.

Lucy said...

Oh dear! They are such a worry, with their ears and all. Best thing I guess that she is all sleepy and not rolling around and getting stuff in it and so on.

Lots of hugs and sympathy, and we'll all be walking on the beach together before you know it.

Rosie said...

the patient is perkier today. And she is a patient patient. I know the treatment is painful but she always comes very willingly and then tries to hide her ear as though I might have forgotten where it is...
but best of all, her head is on straight. I'm a bit worried about Mrs Chili though.
Thank you all for your support. It does make a differencexx

Leslie: said...

Oh poor Porridge! I'm glad to hear she's feeling a bit better. And you are so lucky that she'll allow you to put the drops in her ear. It's easy to get pills down (with a bit of peanut butter or Cheese) but ear drops can be difficult - I know! Just stay quiet with her and I know she'll let you know if she gets worse. But it sounds like she's now on the mend.

Mike said...

The only thing more worrisome than a sick pet is a sick child. You have every right to feel concern.

meggie said...

Poor Porridge! And poor you! Having worried recently about our Honey's ear I know that hideous panicky feeling.
Hope Porridge has responded well to the drugs, & no head tilting!