Sick day for Daisy

When I returned from a late night discussing the demise of newspapers with other journalists, Tom and Daisy greeted me enthusiastically. But Daisy seemed uncomfortable. Tense, I thought, and wondered if she'd seen a scary dog that afternoon. I rubbed her back, where Sheryl, the "animal educator," said she carried her anxiety.

We quickly learned the problem when Daisy started agitating to go outside. But she walked slowly, as if she were dizzy. Soon enough we realized that we had a sick dog. She wandered around the yard, eating grass and trying to throw up. It grew late and she still wouldn't come in. Finally we went to bed and left the door cracked so she could enter if she wanted.

I woke up at around 4:30 a.m. and Daisy was still missing. I went outside and there she was, looking uncomfortable and surrounded by a wide, flattened area of grass. Apparently she had been getting up and plopping down all night, unsuccessfully trying to find a comfortable position. By that time she did want to come inside.

The next morning Daisy slept in and we worried. Should we take her to the vet? Get a bunch of tests? Did she have some awful disease? Had she eaten a poison mushroom?

Tom argued for patience and for dogs' ability to take care of themselves.

Here's a great summary on when to worry about vomiting, written from a veterinarian's point of view. I like the distinction in cause between "indiscretion" issues, such as eating table scraps or garbage, and food allergies. Drug-related problems, parasites and more serious illness could also be the source. Dogs can get canine influenza, but it's a respiratory disease.

Daisy has a long history of indigestion. She is very sensitive to changes in her diet and any kind of stress. Fortunately we've learned that a tablet or two of Pepto-Bismol can really help. She also often self-medicates with grass. In this case, however, neither did the trick. I am ever so glad that whatever the cause, the condition resolved and we did not have to resort to a blood test, barium swallow or endoscopy.

By night time, Daisy was ready to eat dinner and visibly improved. This morning she was back to her usual self. Our lesson? Learn to read your dog's body language. Daisy couldn't have verbalized her discomfort any more plainly. Another lesson: Don't panic! Save hundreds of dollars!