Even vets have vet bills sometimes

I posted these photos of Jackson on my dressage blog recently.

They were taken by my friend Kate a couple weeks ago while I was riding. Jackson is my faithful companion whenever he can be, staying close (he knows he's supposed to stay out of the arena) and keeping an eye on me.

Jackson was very mellow last night. It was getting late, so I asked him if he wanted to go outside. He hopped up in eager affirmation – and I saw him bump into the corner of the couch. Such a little thing, but so atypical of our keen, athletic dog. It brought my mental eyesight into focus, making the other slight abnormalities register. I watched him more closely – and made Rick do the same. At first Rick wasn't sure there was anything wrong, and then he noted the ataxia in Jackson's movement and eyes. The investigation began while we racked our brains for a reason. The night before Jackson had been slow to return to the house after his final trip outside; when he did return it was from the direction of the gate (securely closed, we think) and he was smacking his mouth – so much so that I actually sniffed for skunk aroma and checked for porcupine quills, but found and smelled nothing.

Rick found normal gums; slow respiration; slow, irregular heartbeat. No wounds or swelling; no tenderness in his abdomen. He decided to draw blood to check for clotting time, just in case Jackson had found a poisoned rodent. It seemed very slow, but without an ACT tube and more data, we couldn't be sure. Rick called a small-animal emergency clinic, discussed the symptoms with the vet, and decided to take Jackson in.

He called me shortly after 2 a.m. to say he and Jackson would be headed home soon. There was clearly something wrong, but no reason could be found. Jackson was slightly dehydrated and clearly ataxic and subdued, but his bloodwork was normal. Rick tried to get him to eat some dog food mixed with charcoal, but Jackson turned up his nose.

This morning Jackson is unchanged – no better, but no worse. I got him to eat most of the charcoal-laced (fouled?) food by mixing in crumbled treats and fresh dog food, and he had a good drink. I'm running very late to work today, but needs must. One of our family members is in need.

That's it for now from . . .