[Dailydrool] Rupert incident and Layla

[Riche Churchill]

Regarding the "incident" where Rupert fell over for no apparent 
reason... My 8-year-old terrier did that a few months ago. I let him in 
the house and he came in OK and then staggered a couple of steps and 
fell over on left side. Got up, staggered a few more feet and fell over 
again, same side. (I immediately thought, OMG he's been poisoned! Or 
stung, or snake-bitten, even tho not season for either.) But he got up 
and suddenly was fine. Had him checked, but had nothing to tell the vet 
except the above -- appetite fine, everything one could think of was 
fine and he did not do it again and still hasn't. The vet was just as 
mystified. Except for an occasional need for anal gland expressing, this 
dog has never had a sick day in his life. He has no "back issues" and no 
arthritis. It's a mystery. However, if Rupert repeats this (or my 
terrier does) it would mean a trip to vet for more in-depth study.

Layla certainly sounds as if dementia is proceeding. Naturally, should 
be checked for other possibilities, but there are meds to ease the 
dementia, though nothing I know of to stop its progress. Our oldest is 
entering that phase and it's sad to see (doesn't help any that she's 
pretty deaf, except for hearing the cookie jar lid being opened). Mostly 
all you can do is be alert and help them get re-oriented when they get 
"lost" or confused.

Riche (who can't read the calendar, either)