Thought I better start a new topic to explain rather than take over the insurance thread.
When I got up this morning, Reuben couldn't stand up.
He just lay in the crate looking at me. He semed to try to scramble up on his back legs but couldn't move his front left leg. We lifted him out and felt him all over and he didn't react at all; no yelping or reaction to pain.
I took him to the vets first thing. They manipulated all his joints and spine and everything seemed fine. After several attempts at getting him to stand up, he finally did. But then his back seemed to crumple and his back legs just gave way under him.
They don't think he's had a stroke because his symptoms aren't one sided and his eyes are Ok.
I had to leave him there for blood tests, observations and possible X-rays. He was trembling/shaking a lot, but that could have been fear of the vets and not knowing what was happening to him.
I spoke to the vet this evening and he thinks the problem is a gastric one.
Reuben had "very explosive bloody diarrhea" and they think he was just not moving or standing because of the pain in his stomach.
He is on a drip for fluids, anti-biotics and something else that I can't remember.
He also has a catheter fitted. He is settled, but still looks miserable and is very hunched up. They are going to keep him in over night and if there is no improvement in the morning they will x-ray him.
The house is very quiet without him.
