Have you heard of old dog vestibular disease?

Just wondering if anyone has experienced what they call old dog vestibular disease with your dog? It seems our old girl has been hit with this (best case scenario) and worse off would be a stroke or a brain tumor. Hardly a good scenario no matter how you look at it.

One minute she was fine, and the next she was hobbling and walking drunk, rolling eyes, throwing up from the dizzy and then can't even function at all etc. It's truely sad to witness as there's nothing you can do but ride out the storm pretty much.

According to the vet, if she starts bouncing back within 72 hours it's a good sign, but it can take upwards of 10 days I've read. But I really don't know. She's heavy sedated right now in a kennel and can't really function. I thought it woulda wore off by now so I'm not feeling good about this.We gave her a bit of water with a syringe but not enough to matter. Have to give her meds but no way to do it so far...

So I dunno if anyone else has experienced this with a pet? How did you manage? Any tips?

All I know is, that time your dog got into the garbage, made muddy tracks on the floor, had an accident, it sure don't matter. Give your dog a pat on the head or a belly rub and tell them you love them, one day you might not get the chance.

 

So sad to hear....................prayers for your pup from Ontario.

 

Thank you.

 

Prayers for the girl

 

No experience with the issue but I hope she pulls thru it.

 

Thank you guys.

 

Had something similar with a Golden Retriever. He did bounce back for a little while.

Gary

 

Did he fully recover and then have another episode, or just a continuation of the 1st one?

 

When we first found him he was laying in the weeds with his head up but bobbing around and unable to walk. Took him to the vet and she said it was some brain thing (cant remember what) and that steroids simetimes worked.
Put him on steroids and took him home and for a week or so, no improvement, I would literally have to shuffle him outside between my legs to take him to the bathroom. A good wind would had blown him over.
Took him to the vet and decided to take him off the steroids and got ready for the worst and low and behold he began to get better. Within a week he was back to about 75 percent. He lasted about 2 more weeks before he passed one day when we were gone for about 2 hours.

Gary

 

Sorry to hear your pup is having troubles, Sask.
You are in our prayers tonight.

 

Heartbreaking.

 

Thank you.

I think the worst part (besides the obvious) is that I thought great! when she was getting sedated. Figured that her missing 18-24 hours of dizzy would be great for her cause you can't be stressed when you're sleeping. I don't know if it was too much, or why she she can't seem to shake the sedation but that's the truly awful part. If I would have dealt with a nervous throwing up dog, she might not be in this predicament. Not that I wanted it for my comfort, if she got sick or messed it's understandable and I was prepared to deal with it. I thought thats how today would be actually.

 

Sask, any update this morning?

 

Sorry to hear Sask. Prayers sent for your girl.
I've got no experience with what you have going on, but I hope she comes around quickly.

 

Morning guys, brains a little scrambled from not enough sleep. In a nutshell, she finally started shaking off the sedation (which isn't the main problem, but seemed to be the immediate concern) last night, and taking in more liquids and a bit of food. We brought her outside and she managed a piddle, so at least liquids are going in one end, out the other. That was my panic. I though I had sentenced her to death by organ failure because she was in a funk for so long.

Obviously she's still weak and can't function on her own, walk or get up or drink by herself, but she's still here and we'll just have to see how it goes. Her eyes quit rolling so bad, but they're still flicking bad enough. Apparently with some dogs there's a marked improvement by 72 hours and some dogs a few weeks, I just don't know. It's going to be a long couple weeks emotionally until we know if she's shook it or not.

I'm not concerned if she has lasting effects after all this (as long as quality of life is there) as she's not a high maintenance dog at her age. She's a sleepy, happy old gal.

 

So sorry for the old girl, hope she will improve soon.
It is such a helpless feeling when they are so sick and we don't know how to help them.
My Lucy isn't getting better either but at least she still feels good.

 

Glad you had a minute to update us. I'm sure pulling for her! I hope she's better every time you check on her. Take care of you too!

 

Certainly a more positive sign. The Man up above has a plan for her. You are certainly doing your part. Best of luck.

 

So feeding and watering are dialed in. I shoot a dribble of water in the side of her jowels, and hold a plate under her beak. Once she licks her lips, I shoot water on the plate and away she goes. Her rice/soft meat dog food is mixed with water so it's pretty easy to eat for her, pretty much same idea, present from below. I feel much better at least about the how to with this. She'll stay hydrated and fed, the rest is not up to me, so here's hoping.