Okay, this is part rant, and part question for Michi.
To make a long story short…roomie’s dog had a stroke this weekend. The poor thing is VERY sick…can’t keep any food down, head’s tilted to the side, can barely walk, is carried outside, gets into “hyper mode” every couple hours, has lost 5 pounds in a WEEK…and the roomie brought her home from the hospital. And is now yelling at her nonstop. It’s not the DOG’S fault she’s so sick! If I hear Abby (roomie) say one more time “I don’t know what to do with you,” I’m going to answer to take her back to the animal hospital. And I have 2 weeks off between jobs, which is now pretty much ruined…because since I’ll be home, I’m the new caretaker. FUCK NO. As people in chat know, I’ve been on edge for 2 days already. Roomie keeps screaming, she’s been here nonstop for 2 days (I wanted the week to MYSELF), keeps checking on dog every 3 minutes, since we can’t let her try and sit up because she’ll fall over…
So two issues.
One. (for Michi) Is there ANYTHING that can be done at this point, or is roomie deluding herself? She went back to the vet today, and they gave the dog a shot of cortisone and sent her home. Honestly, I think the dog should be put to sleep…this is no way for a dog to live. But I want a more qualified opinion.
Two. Eventually roomie has to go back to work. Suggestions on how to get my agressive side in gear and say I am NOT taking care of this dog? It is not my dog. The dog needs more care than we can give. The dog needs to be back in the hospital. (In addition, they sent her to a hospital 40 miles away. I’m sorry, there HAS to be a closer hospital in DC. I’m starting to think this vet is an idiot.)
I wish I could be of more help here, however, being unable to see the dog with my own eyes, it is very difficult to make an assessment as to what needs to be done. The most disturbing thing to me is that the dog cannot keep food down and has had a significant weight loss in a very short period of time. Head tilt and ataxia are sometimes not as bad as they seem. Old dogs are prone to something called “old dog vestibular disease.” The dog really looks like crap, and it takes a while to get over, but with treatment, they usually do. I am unclear on why the regular vet sent her to another vet far away? Was she sent to a specialist? If a pet is unable to keep food down (and what about water?) dehydration can set in quickly. It would be preferable to have the dog hospitalized and on IV fluids. And all that aside, it sounds like your roommate is incapable of administering proper care. I remember her abuse of her dog being an issue with you several months ago. You could still call Animal Services on her, if you feel she is mistreating the dog, but I am not sure what the outcome of that would be. As long as she can prove she is seeking medical attention, your complaint may not hold up. I don’t think there is much else you can do.
She’s not drinking much water either. Most of it spills all over the bed.
I think the roomie just agreed to have her put to sleep. The vet called, I heard her say “I can’t do this anymore,” and then she said “Okay, well why don’t I bring her in and we do that,” then started crying.
I’m not happy, but I can’t find a lot of sadness either. Maybe because it’s not my dog. Mat because I know it was time. sigh Poor thing.
