Dear Juanita:

I am fine, thank you. Thank you for being kind when you feel  okay and when you don’t. I am sorry to read that you are still ill from the heat, having problems with your stomach and nausea, and pain in your back and kidney from lifting your dog who is very ill.

I read (vcahospitals. com/ know your pet/ vestibular disease in dogs) that vestibular syndrome, common in older dogs, is “a sudden, non-progressive disturbance of balance” due so something going wrong with the vestibular system that involves parts of the brain, middle and inner ear. Causes include middle or inner ear infections, tumors, and hypothyroidism. Treatment is directed at the underlying cause, if one can be identified: antibiotics if there is a middle or inner ear infection, and to make the dog more comfortable- sedatives and drugs to combat nausea or motion sickness. It reads that the symptoms are often most severe during the first 24 to 48 hours, and many pets begin to improve within 72 hours- I hope this is the case with your dog, if vestibular syndrome is what she suffers from.

Maybe you can use a moving dolly to lift your dog? Also, when lifting anything heavy, bend your knees and keep your back straight as you lower yourself slowly to the ground. Always keep your knees bent throughout the lift. I hope your cat continues to gain weight and that her fur will grow back nicely.

I am crossing my fingers, like you asked (I just did), hoping you’ll be in a better place soon, friend!

anita