 |
| My dog Whiskey |
Presenting Complaint: Change in behaviour
History of Presenting Complaint: Was pushed by reckless owner (me) against some stairs and proceeded to run down the driveway. Ran back up to owner in a daze and just stood staring: tail between his legs, ears flat on his head, did not respond to his name. (If you have ever met Whiskey, you'll know that this is highly unusual. He is practically a circus dog.) This was later associated with ataxia (walking like a drunk), uncontrollable drooling and spasticity (stiffness) of his limbs- mainly on the left side. Episodes of this 'odd behavior' lasted a few minutes during which he sometimes ran around aimlessly. They were followed by lucid intervals which also lasted a few minutes.
No past medical history, not on any regular medication, no family history of note.
Social History: Lives with one other dog ('Vixen', 10 years old, fit and well) and 4 people.
Differential Diagnosis:
Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs aka mini strokes)
Seizure, ?brain tumour
Prolonged 'dizzy spell' after being pushed against the stairs
Subdural Haemorrhage (unlikely as he did not hit his head and inappropriate time frame)
Severe anxiety (fireworks went off earlier in the evening; unlikely as he has never exhibited this response to them before)
Impression: TIAs
Plan:
1. 37.5mg clopdigrel stat (the only antiplatelet we had in the house) ie half the human dose
2. Regular clopidogrel daily for 1 week
3.Any further attacks, call for veterinary review (will have to wait until the new year as closed for Christmas)
4. Discuss events with family
5. Review tomorrow
Consultant Ward Round following morning:
(ie I went with my mother the following morning to see if he was still alive)
Patient 'back to usual self' according to owner: Running around, attentive.
Stood on hind legs and sat without difficulty. Normal gait. Drooling resolved.
Eating and drinking.
Impression: Resolved TIAs
Plan: Continue clopidogrel, watch and wait.
No comments:
Post a Comment