Prayers for Basil
Monday, October 26, 2009 | Karen Howes It may sound weird to ask this, but please say a prayer for my furry little guy, Basil. Yesterday he vomited mucus and foam, and seemed to be off-balance, walking crookedly and even falling over once. His head seems to be tilted at an unusual angle, and he didn't touch his food.
Much more worrying, though, is that he also wouldn't drink water. I had even tried adding some milk to it to see if that would help. No such luck... he just turned away from it.
Today he went to the vet, and is being put on an IV (since he won't drink) and kept overnight for observation. The vet didn't know right off the bat what was wrong with Basil, but did mention stroke and ear problems as a couple of possibilities.
I'm crazy over this little dog-- he's so sweet and funny and lovable-- and it breaks my heart to see him sick and to think it could be serious. Please pray.
His big sister Zoe, meanwhile, is enjoying being "the only child" tonight...
Will keep you posted.
Karen Howes
Basie's home from the vet's now, and along with him we got antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, a few cans of the special prescription food they'd been giving him, and a $500 vet bill.
The vet said that Basil has a vesticular (inner ear) issue, and that he should be back to his old self in a few days. He's eating (with some help) and drinking, thank goodness. He still has a lopsided tilt to his head, but that should go away soon on its own.
I'm so grateful for your prayers and thoughts-- I'm sure they helped. And Basil also thanks you all.
Reader Comments (17)
Karen,
Since our "Fur Babies" are as much a part of the family as our human members, I see nothing wrong in praying for them. I believe God loves, after all, He did create them. So yes, Basil has my prayers.
By the way, how old is he? I do hope that it is nothing more serious then an ear infection. When you see the little guy again, give him a hug and kiss from me and Munchkin.
So sorry to hear about Basil, I do hope it's a simple illness, I'll certainly pray for his well being, as people did when one of my furry mates got run over recently. Please keep us update.
Bishop Gregori, thank you! Very much appreciated. Basil's only 5, so he's not old or anything. And I'll pass your hugs and kisses on to him this afternoon. :-)
Gecko, thanks so much. I know you have "furbabies" of your own, so you know how much they mean to us. One of your cats got run over? Oh my! That wasn't Alfie, was it? I know he was missing for a time.
And yes, I'll certainly keep you updated.
Aw. Like you, I feel for dogs. They're our buddies to the end.
What really tortures me is leaving my pug alone for eight hours a day while he just sits alone in the house. I wish my company would let him just come here and be with me. He'd sit there and leave everyone be.
Winston's a pug. Black with a white spot on his chest. He is my best friend.
Of course. A prayer is out from me to your lil buddy. I hope he gets well soon.
Hi Karen, it was Alfie who got run over, he came home in a very sad state after missing for two days. He's home now, doing really well and taken on his role as KG's right hand man when there's jobs to be done around here.
I don't understand how people can not look on their animals as mates and go all out to help them when they're sick.
CHECK FOR PARVO!
Steve, thanks for the prayers. I love pugs, they're adorable. I don't think they bark much either, which would be great. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are wonderful, but they DO tend to be barkers. Zoe barks when she thinks she sees something outside, but Basil is deaf and almost never barks.
You'll have to post a picture of Winston on your blog sometime, I'd love to see him. :-)
Gecko, I knew that Alfie was missing and that he had returned, but somehow I missed that he got run over. I'm so glad he's okay! And thanks for your continued good thoughts. Like you, I don't understand how you can have pets and not love them and consider them family.
Nancz, thanks-- it's not Parvo, thank God. Zoe and Basil got vaccinated for that.
Update to follow in a new comment...
UPDATE:
Basil is still at the vet's. The vet believes it's an ear infection, which if it is would be very good news, since that can be treated with antibiotics. What I did NOT want to hear was that he had suffered a stroke-- there ain't much you can do to treat THAT. The vet also ruled out epilepsy.
So it's still not definite whats causing him to be sick, but they're going to x-ray his head and start him on antibiotics if it is in fact an ear infection.
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers.
Oh thank goodness! I know that our pets are like our children and when they are sick, we worry. I lost my beloved Shadowbear over 10 years ago and I still mourn the loss. He is still my kitty and my best-friend.
God knew what He was doing when he created animals. They truly do give unconditional love no matter what.
Thanks, Leticia-- yes, they are like our children, especially when you don't have any real ones of your own. I've been so worried about my little man, and can't WAIT for him to be home and be well! I just want to cuddle him and kiss his sweet little face.
Karen, seven years ago, I lost my sweet little Mini Rat Terrier named "Baby". She was 19 years old when she passed. Exactly one year before she died, we were out on our nightly walk, when she suffered a very bad stroke.
A week later, she was up and around like usual, except for one thing, she was totally blind. All the years I had her, she refused to walk on leash and that refusal continued even after she became blind, but she still wanted to go on her walks. Since I have to use a cane when out walking, I decided to try tapping my cane as I walked. It worked perfectly, Baby followed right along listening to the sound of my cane, and nobody had the slightest idea that she could not see.
I got Munchkin as a rescue dog a month after Baby passed.
Such a cute fellow, will do Karen. Keep us posted on his progress.
Bishop, I understand about "Baby.' I know you still miss her, even though you have Munchkin now. You never stop missing them, but you have wonderful fond memories. I miss my Capone, a little terrier/Chihuahua mix (I think) I had for 14 years. She lived to be 16, and died peacefully in her bed at home. She was a great little dog.
MK, thanks so much. I'll probably be able to give an update later. As long as it's not a stroke or anything serious, but just an ear infection, that would be great.
I'm so glad to read the update. That's so hard to deal with, prayers indeed.
And, I agree, the other pets do seem to behave differently when one is at the vet's
Thank you so much, Mimi-- Basil is home now, and seems to be recovering slowly. And yes, although Zoe missed him and is happy to have him back home, she did enjoy the extra attention she was getting. :-)
Obviously, I'm late to this post. Sorry.
Glad to read that Basil is on the mend!
AOW, thanks. Me too. I know compared to what you're dealing with with you husband, this is nothing.