urgent!!

[Deannajsee]

Hi, so my friend was trying to pick my puppy ( maltese chihuahua cross. 3 months ) up but because he was struggling so much he slipped out of my friend's hand and he knocked his head pretty hard on the floor. ( wasnt too much of a distance though ) he immediately let out a cry and came running to me. After which he wanted to be held for a long time.
However, he doesnt really seem like his usual hyper self. He keeps on sleeping.
He is eating normally & responds when i call his name.
Will he be okay? Should i bring him to a vet? I'm so worried! Please help :(

[tonyb286]

I can only repeat and add to what we have all said previously about head injuries - unfortunately, it is something that really does need professional intervention by a vet. Given his prior fall, this event within such a short time of the other one, could have caused some serious damage, which at the very least needs Xrays and observation. A neurologist will assess your baby very carefully and thoroughly to determine if there are any concerns.

I realise these tests and treatments are not cheap, but the alternative is to leave him to his own devices, but potentially this could be fatal for him - or leave him in pain (dogs do not usually show how much pain they may be in, unlike humans).

Sadly, Mother Nature is not always kind and considerate, so while it may be a very difficult financial decision, I hope you will do your best to get him the appropriate care and treatment. Best wishes, Tony

[drnsd]

i am now going thru a very traumatic time with my (maybe 8-9wk old baby chi)
Last night i had both my dogs out walking and i went pick up the baby ( chi)  and he was so skirmish  that i just lost grip of his Lil body that he fell from my shoulder ( i 5'tall) on to the concrete and when he landed he did not land on his legs ,immediately pick him up to find that his head was in a stuck to the right side and i thought he was dead i don't no if Wat i did was wrong or if it wasn't ,i put him on the grass and started CPR  with also a strong petting motion to what it seemed like ,unlock his neck. he finally came to but was not able to stand would fall down and another really scary thing was his Lil body flopping .i rushed him to the VET ER  to have him stay overnight and get xrayed ( $ 1094.00 ) is what i had to pay before they would even start him on any medical process(pain meds ,xrays,&
so forth) Today the dr calls and tells me that its best he stay in their care another night and also the radiologist examined his xray  and suggested that he now be transferred to a neurologist for a more thorough MRI ,due to a VERTABRET infraction? that could be either fatal or not ( sorry but i did not write down the correct medical term for this injury,) He is at the same vet for tonight and if i choose to do MRI i need to transfer him myself to the other VET ER and then to just step in the  door is cost up to $165.00 plus the MRI fee is  $ 2000.00. I have had dogs my whole life ,but never a dog of his  size before,he is the cutest thing i really adore this little dog and i deeply have fallen in love with him. he is like having a baby again,he whines with such heart for his mommy ( as that would be me now ) just as my 2 boys did when they were babies. i have been so upset and have not stopped crying with the thoughts of "what ifs" and the "whys" i feel terrible of not getting a better grip but it happened so fast .i feel alot of guilt and my emotions are in agony . i just got call from the VET  and was now given my estimate for his overnight stay  tonight of another $ 1000.00 . i am a single mother of two boys 16 and 12 . i feel as the VET industry feeds on our emotions and really its about THE MONEY rather THAN THE PET!  as i read the threads on this website of other head injuries to also chi s  hardly if  ANY AT ALL said they did hospitalization and it seems their pet came out of their injuries with due time OK. my QUESTION IS ... am i  going overboard on the VET with their Suggestions,Recommendations and  diagnostics???? or go with my gut feelings an bring him home to where he is  familiar with and start my own in home care with also letting mother nature naturally do what is best for the animal as well . please someone give me some hope ???

[Deannajsee]

Its a huge relief! :) Thank you all so much for your help.

[tonyb286]

So glad to hear Oreo is back to his normal self. Thank heavens for that. It must be a huge relief for you. Tony

[ginger899]

Great news! He must have just had a shock, and a bit of a headache for a while. So glad he's ok.

[Ghilly]

I'm SO relieved to hear that your puppy is fine!   That's wonderful news!  

I hope you enjoy many happy years with him as a member of your family!

Ghilly

[Deannajsee]

Hi everybody. Oreo is looking alot better today! He is back to his usual hyper self and is eating fine. :) I did call the vet and she said that i should watch him closely for the next couple of days. But because he's back to his usual self already, and did not have and bleeding from his ears, and his pupils look fine, and he did not have a seizure, and his head isnt swollen or anything, the vet says i need not bring him in. She says he was probably traumatized by the incident thus appeared very shocked and disorientated at that time!
Thank you for all your help :)

[Ghilly]

You ABSOLUTELY should take him to a vet.  You stated that he is a Maltese/Chihuahua mix.  Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog who have the same open spot on the skull that human babies have.  In dogs it is called a molera, in human babies it is called a fontanelle.  Since he is part Chihuahua he may or may not have the opening in his skull.  If he does, and if he hit that part of his head when he fell, he could have a serious brain injury and definitely needs to be evaluated neurologically by a vet.  ASAP!  Please let us know what the vet says.

Ghilly

[tonyb286]

Hi. Ginger is absolutely right. When it comes to the skull, the difference between adult dogs and young pups is the same as that between human adults and children ... the skull is weak and thin and is easily damaged by a hard knock or bang. There can also be internal damage from this type of trauma, such as burst blood vessels. As you have noticed a change in your puppy's normal behaviour, I would definitely say he needs to see a vet straight away. Ginger says quite rightly that this could be concussion, which may last a short time, but much better to be safe than sorry with something like this. Get him along to see the vet as soon as you possibly can. Tony

[ginger899]

Yes do take him to a vet. I would do that quickly. He might have injured his head. This may be no more than a mild concussion, but to be on the safe side, take him.
A dog who is usually energetic and playful, and then suddenly is lethargic like that, needs to see a vet.