My husband stepped on 7 week old Shih Tzu

Cheshire73 · #1 11-08-2009, 01:18 PM

Last night my husband got up to go to the bathroom and did realize my 7 week old Shih Tzu was on the ground in his path. We think he stepped on her head but he's not sure. She didn't cry out but he picked her up and her head and neck were tilting to one side and she wouldn't stand up. We rushed her to the emergency vet at 2 a.m. where she is now. They did an x-ray and checked her pupils. They were fine. After 12 hours under observation, she can move her legs, hold her bladder and bowels and stands briefly or walks a step or two but very wobbly. Her head is still tilted over though she can move it and straighten it out but it always goes back to the side tilt. She just wants to lay down.

They gave her medication to reduce fluid on the brain and are keeping her hydrated with a glucose IV. So far, they are just keeping her under observation.

I'm so scared and devastated by this. I went to visit her this morning and she whimpered sadly when I held her like she usually does when she's tired or wants me to pick her up. I just held her for an hour and tried to talk sweetly and calmly to her.

I feel like I let her down. She's just a baby and there's nothing I can do for her but wait... The vet said they are "guardedly optimistic." Has anyone had a similar thing happen and have their puppy rebound?

bubbatd · #2 11-08-2009, 01:38 PM

I'm so sorry !! I do hope she recovers well !

**Zoom** · #3 11-08-2009, 01:48 PM

I haven't had any experience with this, but I hope she recovers quickly!!

Laurelin · #4 11-08-2009, 02:00 PM

Oh that is so sad.

I hope she recovers well.

lizzybeth727 · #5 11-08-2009, 02:14 PM

I'm so sorry, this must be devistating.

I'm always scared of this happening with my chihuahua; when I go to my parents' house or somewhere else where people aren't used to her, I put a bell on her collar so that they will pay a little better attention.

Please keep us updated!

colliewog · #6 11-08-2009, 02:19 PM

I only know of something similar happening in a same age, but larger breed dog. He made it, but I think there was more dog and therefore less damage.

We wish you the best!! You will feel guilty, but you can't avoid accidents ... sometimes bad things just happen.

Cheshire73 · #7 11-08-2009, 02:36 PM

I'm always cautious and am constantly telling my kids to be careful because she's barely bigger than a guinea pig right now. She hangs out around our feet all the time. She even will sit on my feet and stare up at me until I pick her up. I've always had Golden Retrievers so this is the first time with an itty-bitty pup. We've become a household of shufflers because we never know when she's going to sneak up when we don't realize it and get stepped on. I still can't believe with all that caution this has happened.