Down on the Allotment

Matron grows vegetables and fruit in a Hampshire garden. I've been growing veggies since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Some traditional varieties and old favourites as well as new ideas. I share my garden with my allotment assistant Daisy the Labrador. On Twitter as @MatronsVeggies

Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year Greetings!

Not a particularly happy New Year in the Matron household. Poor Buddy had a small stroke yesterday. He will be 14yrs old on Sunday. The vet said there is really no treatment for strokes in dogs, and he may make a full recovery. Have a look at my new linked blog Matron's Dogblog for a fuller explanation of stroke. He just looks very dizzy at the moment and can't stand up for long. Lots of bed rest and TLC. I'm not looking forward to protecting him from the fireworks tonight! I wish you all a Happy New Year!

27 Comments:

At 5:35 PM, Blogger Tira said...

So sorry to hear that and I hope he makes a full recovery. When one of our dogs was very old and slow and the vet said it was the end my husband tried an experiment-he mixed a teaspoon of his bodybuilding protein powder in her milk-the result was miraculous-she was so full of energy and walking around again-so we gave her this supplement daily and she enjoyed a further full 2 years of active life! I can ask hubby for the exact rand/product if you like.

 
At 6:09 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Happy New Year to you too Matron and I really hope Buddy makes a full recovery. Lots of treats and cuddles from here on in!

I look forward to reading your posts in 2010!

Ryan

 
At 6:26 PM, Blogger Peggy said...

Many Happy returns for the New year! I hope Buddy pulls through this, my dog Sam is deaf so thank God the noise of bangers /fireworks does not faze him.Thinking of you and your friend Buddy.

 
At 6:55 PM, Blogger Carrie said...

Well that's just awful news. Big hugs and tickles to Buddy, I hope he is okay and can make a full recovery. I hate bloomin fireworks at the best of times but with wee Maggie - well it's scary.
Wishing you, yours and Buddy a happy healthy 2010 xxx

 
At 6:57 PM, Blogger Ribbit said...

I'm so sorry for Buddy. Our puppy had one earlier this year and it broke our hearts. Snuggle him closely.

 
At 7:30 PM, Blogger miss m said...

Oh no, poor Buddy ! I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery. It is quite wrenching being unable to help.
A very happy and healthy new year to you both ! Give Buddy a big hug for me. xx

 
At 7:37 PM, Blogger Shaheen said...

Sorry to read about Buddy.

I'll be spending my New Years hour in the house too, I rather stay indoors and keep warm.

 
At 7:47 PM, Blogger BilboWaggins said...

Healing hugs to Buddy, and friendship ones to you. Dogs can make remarkable recoveries from strokes, and if this was only a small one then his prognosis is good.

I know he will have much love and every bit of care you can give him.

New Year blessings to you both.

 
At 8:36 PM, Blogger Midmarsh John said...

Oh dear, Matron. That must be very worrying. My very best wishes to you both and hoping Buddy makes a good recovery.

 
At 10:01 PM, Blogger marigold said...

Poor Buddy. Sorry to hear that. I do hope for his full recovery in the new year.

 
At 11:34 PM, Blogger RobD said...

Sorry to hear about Buddy, fingers crossed he makes a good recovery. Happy New Year.

 
At 2:15 AM, Blogger lotusleaf said...

I hope Buddy will recover fully. Happy New Year!

 
At 2:17 AM, Blogger Katie said...

Oh Matron! I am thinking of Buddy tonight. Wishing you health and happiness in the new year.

 
At 4:14 AM, Anonymous kitsapFG said...

Give Buddy a hug for me please. We had to put down our aged dog (also 14 years old) today. She has been in failing health but took a sudden turn for the worse the past several days. We did the right thing to ease her suffering, but it hurts just the same. Best wishes for a good recovery for Buddy.

 
At 10:15 AM, Blogger Kath said...

Here's a wish for you and Buddy to have a happy and healthy 2010. I do hope he comes through this.

 
At 11:36 AM, Blogger Matron said...

Just amazed to find so many comments overnight, thank you! Buddy is still wobbly but I don't think the room is spinning as much as it was on Wednesday. Being hand fed home made chicken stock through a syringe! and this morning we made some baby food from chicken and brussels sprouts! He looks a bit better. Fingers and paws crossed!

 
At 12:41 PM, Blogger BilboWaggins said...

Are you and the vet absolutely sure it was a stroke?

Last summer Ollie had a similar problem, our vet identified it as Vestibulitis. I had walked outside with him and he suddenly could hardly stand, was falling to the right all the time, no balance, very disturbing, it looked just like a stroke. We got him to the vet within 15 minutes and her diagnosis was made on the basis of holding his head still and looking at his eyes which were rolling around in his head - very alarming. She described it as being like the worst case of motion sickness you could imagine. He wasn't so much distressed as confused.

I Googled and found this:
http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/topic/58400.html

which sounds very much like Ollie's condition.

Within 7 - 10 days of gentle care and quiet TLC, he was pretty much back to normal and it never happened again.

 
At 1:49 PM, Anonymous Judy said...

So sorry to hear about your Buddy. Hope that he makes a full recovery soon! And, hoping that 2010 will turn out to be a great year for you both.

 
At 5:32 PM, Blogger Celia Hart said...

Happy New Year! and I really do wish it is a happy outcome for Buddy - the studio assistants have their paws crossed for him and sending you loving purrs too.

All the very best wishes for the coming year,
Celia

 
At 9:32 PM, Blogger mrspao said...

Sorry to hear about Buddy's stroke. Hope that he makes a full recovery.

 
At 10:41 PM, Blogger Matron said...

Bilbowaggins - that is very interesting! I read the forum entries about this vestibular problem in older dogs, and also the thyroid connection. My gut feeling is that he is just very, very dizzy and that all his instincts to go out for a long walkies are still there, except I suspect he is not eating because he feels dizzy and probably nausea! In any event, he is getting lots of TLC and excellent nursing care! xx

 
At 1:45 AM, Blogger Petunia's Gardener said...

He is very lucky to have you there! I'm sure you'd say the same about you being lucky to have him, too. Hope he is feeling better each day.

 
At 5:37 AM, Blogger Scarecrow said...

Oh Matron
I hope Buddy is feeling better soon.
Not the best start to the New Year so I hope 2010 gets better for you!

Doggy Hugs to Buddy from Lucky Dog!

 
At 6:01 AM, Blogger Kalena Michele said...

He's a strong dog to be sure. I'm so sorry to hear about that. I wish you and Buddy all the best in the new year!

 
At 6:35 AM, Blogger Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

So sorry to hear about your sweet Buddy. I hope he recovers quickly.
What a cute face!

 
At 9:35 PM, Anonymous A dog's life, and one long Devon holiday said...

Get well soon Buddy!

 
At 9:36 AM, Blogger Matron said...

Quick update. Buddy is making some progress! He got up and came to greet me yesteray in a wobbly way! He's taking chicken stock through a syringe! Gradually getting his appetite back, albeit through a syringe! Million thanks to all the fingers and paws crossed around the world. xx

 

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