Old Dog Vestibular Disease
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- Опубліковано 3 лют 2014
- Old Dog Vestibular Disease can produce terrifying symptoms mimicking those of a terminal stroke. Peripheral Vestibular Disease can go away on its own, possibly within 7-14 days. My dog made a miraculous recovery in a short time.
He was diagnosed on the first day and sent home to wait out the recovery period - completely unable to use his legs, stand, or walk, severe head tilt and disorientation. He regained a lot of control of his eyes within 48 hours.
On the fourth day, he regressed so far down that I hospitalized him overnight. They found no evidence of tumor or other problems, treated him more aggressively for his longtime arthritis, and he miraculously started standing and walking again. He fell over less frequently, and eventually learned to pick himself up each time.
I did not film the worst of it -- when I thought he wouldn't see another 24 hours; the total paralysis, or the constant falling over, or the worst of the decline before the hospitalization.
Many pet owners think of euthanasia when they see the seemingly insurmountable symptoms - as did I. I hope you are as lucky as I was, if your dog gets this frightening syndrome. - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Thank you so much for posting this video. My Schnauzer, Roxy, just had her first VS episode Wednesday night. It scared me so much, I did not know what was happening. The next morning I took her to the Vet and he knew immediately what it was. He kept her Thursday night and let me bring her home today, Friday 2/21/14. She still cannot walk, she can sit for only a moment. Your video is an encouragement to me, I pray my girl recuperates as quickly as yours did.
Warms my heart how loving you are with him iam in tears I believe my dog has this 😥😥
I'm so happy he's doing better. This is probably one of the scariest things I've seen w/ my dog. It's been 8 days since his episodes began along w/ a full night of us crying. He has improved but still has a way to go. At least the vomiting stopped and his eyes stopped flickering back and forth. It's a lot of work, lots of TLC, but we'll be there for our boy Jack until he's fully recovered. Best of luck with yours.
My dog just had this happen , today is the 8th day of recovery and she is a 13 year old Australian shepherd, she is still unsure of herself and staggers , but I am just praying she can come out of it, she will shake her head like they do when they get up off the floor and fall right back down again. The first night was crazy cause it came on so fast and then went away! Then the next day came back worse! Very scary watching your loved animal go through this......but she is making headway.....slowly
This happened to my 18-y-o terrier a few days ago. I thought it must be a stroke and was on the verge of having her pts. I only didn't because I couldn't bear to do it and thought I would see how she was over the weekend. The next day she was much better, so I googled stuff and found vesitbular disease. Within two days she was back to 'normal' - although normal for her is pretty old and stiff on her back legs. I didn't treat her at all. I am sure her end will come soon, but right now I am just grateful that she is still with me and has no stroke-like symptoms whatsoever. Thank you for posting.
Since the above video, and after a 100% recovery, my dog had a relapse -- a second attack exactly like the first. This time, he was already able to stand and walk even later that night, and recovered once again over a week or two -- some wobbliness, but another great recovery. I understand these relapses can happen, but it can also just go away completely. As long as it's peripheral vestibular disease, i.e. not a brain tumor or central nervous system cause, your dog should make a fine recovery which will amaze you after what you've seen.
My sheltie came down with it a couple months ago. He was 17. He stopped eating. He already was having a hard time standing with arthritis. He became incontinent both bowels and bladder. He reached a point one day when he was laying in the floor he turned his head at an odd angle and said, "today is the day." I placed him in the car, took him to the vet, and asked that he be put to sleep. I'm suffering one of the biggest losses of my life. He was such a gentle soul.
+Tony Adkins I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your dog. My dog had some kind of neurological event this spring, probably a mini-stroke accompanied by a return of mild Vestibular Disease. Twice I've made the final appointment - and each time, he made an astounding recovery either the day of or the day before the appointment. He walks with difficulty, but he made an amazing comeback, and this has gone on for weeks now.
I know this won't last forever; I'd be surprised if he saw 2017, or even autumn. But my dog at 15 1/2 years, and your dog at an incredible 17 - Shelties almost never live this long (I've NEVER heard of 17).... so we should consider ourselves very lucky to have had these extra years. Of course, the longer they live - the harder it is to say goodbye.
+airborne8282 don't give up on him. He's a very handsome gent. I admire your loyalty to him.
I am so glad this worked out for you. Our dog is going through this right now... we thought we were going to have to say goodbye - but we just have to be patient...
Thanks for sharing your experience. This happened to my dog about 4 days ago. He has made an incredible recovery and is pretty much back to normal already. He stumbles here and there but he is learning how to deal with his imbalance. This is the first thing to ever happen to him in his 13 years of life. The rate of recovery is truly amazing, especially after dreading the worst that first day.
Thank you so much for making this video- really helps
I heard that some dog owners unnecessarily have their dogs euthanized, either because they think Vestibular Disease (syndrome) is a stroke or some fatal illness, or perhaps they're not prepared for the intensive-care-ward atmosphere in the house during recovery. Recovery is a few days to a few weeks at most.
There are two types of Vestibular Disease; one is less severe (although it looks terrifying) and they can recover, as mine did (100%.) One involving the central nervous system, or indicative of serious brain problems (like a tumor) is much harder to deal with. But a vet should certainly determine which is the case before any recommendation of euthanasia.
Thank you for sharing this scary experience. Our wheaten terrier Daisy who is 12 had this "attack" today. It was so scary till we got her to the emergency vet, and he explained what was going on with her. We were so relieved, we thought she had a stroke!!! She is having a tough evening, not wanting to eat or drink...but we did get her to go potty outside. Thank you again, it's nice to know she will get better..
Thank you so much for making this video. Makes me feel so much better knowing my 15 yr old sweet shihtzu LeeLoo will or should do okay. 🙏🙏🙏
My ShIh Tzu, Fluffy had vestibular disease almost a year ago on January 16, 2015. He recovered, but not 100%, he has a head tilt, but he can eat and drink and do his normal activities like he was doing before the attack. He is 10 years old.
Thank you for this. My old girl started showing these signs last night and I've been dreading the vet visit this morning. I feel much better. Thank you!
What a gorgeous boy, so glad he recovered! Thanks for sharing!
thanks for sharing! Our dog is on day three and can't get up yet but finally ate today and we got her standing with help. Good to see how yours progressed!
I was freaking out this morning... Balling my eyes out because I thought my 14 year old Chow Chow had a stroke. I just lost one of my dogs a few months ago (age 15) and wasn't ready to put down another. Doctor took a look at him and said it was "old dog vestibular disease."
The good news is that she says he'll recover. The bad news is that he's just trapped in his own body until this passes.
My dog is 12 and has had this condition twice. Both times it has taken about 2 weeks for full recovery, with the heavy symptoms taking about 7-8 days to pass.
The first time it was very scary as we thought he'd had a stroke or a spinal injury or something. But, it turned out to be less serious than it looked.
The vet prescribed motion sickness pills and an antibiotic in case it is related to an inner ear infection.
Some little tricks I picked up along the way:
- Our dog would topple outside when trying to go to the bathroom, so I put a towel around his chest and held it to stabilize him. Worked like a charm.
- I put a bunch of soft pillows against all the corners in the house. When he walks around he tends to fall most often rounding a corner and he was hitting his ribs off the sharpest part of the wall, so instead he'd just slam into a nice soft pillow.
- I put his water and food close to where he lays down so he doesn't have to walk all the way to the kitchen.
- I blocked off the stairs obviously.
wow what a great recovery, there is such confusion over this sympton and the term stroke. Our collie cross had this today and two hours later was able to stand and walk, a little wobble but vast improvement from being unable t stand.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Wishing you and Logan the best ❤️🐶
Many thanks, Emily. I finally had to put Logan down on July 31, 2016. But he had a pretty miraculous extra 2.5 years after the Old Dog Vestibular Disease situation. Ultimately it was old age that took him away, over a fairly long period of decline, but he had an incredibly long and largely happy and healthy life.
May Logan run free in the Rigpa realm, and may you be comforted in his release from suffering. My Pepper Girl just got this a day after visiting the vet. I called him and he immediately knew what it was after I blurted out I thought it was a stroke and them described the symptoms. She is almost 15 has CHF, diagnosed last August ,arthritis and is in decline as well. I just bought her a new bed with bolsters and memory foam. She pretty much gets what she wants since I know she doesn't have much time. 2.5 years would be great,
Thank you so much for this video. My dog is exhibiting these same symptoms. I hope this is all it is.
Good video. sharing with all my dog trainer friends.
My sweetie recovered from this!! She couldn't walk or even move, and was incontinent for 10 days. I almost gave up. It can be a slow process but they do recover! Now she can even walk up the stairs and is a very happy girl. She did need IV fluids for 48 hrs and took Meclizine 100 mg THANK YOU for the video.
+Mike Presson Hi Mike I know you posted this comment a year ago but just wanted to say it is comforting to hear your girl made a full recovery after being unable to move for so long. My 13yr boy has been suffering from this since Sunday afternoon and even today is unable to stand up or walk on his own, he is also currently incontinent. He's spent time at the vets on IV and antibiotics. He is slowly getting there, I was worried that he had become paralized but he is starting to show signs of wanting to move and is laying on his front instead of on his right side all the time. This morning he even started to eat on his own so I am hopeful that he will recover in time!
my dog Dixie, lab/beagle mix was diagnosed with this a few days ago. When she has an episode, it's the scariest thing I've every seen. Her head all the way back, eyes rolling, seems almost stiff, She can't walk, but when it passes, she drinks a lot. They gave me antibiotics and a non steroid anti inflammatory. They didn't know which kind of VS it is, i don't want to put her under anesthesia for an MRI, she is probably about 15 or more years old. Her blood work all came back normal. I'm so afraid if won't go away, it is terrifying to watch this episode. One at 2 am and now another at 4pm.
Cheryl Baker My dog in the video had two attacks very close to one another, Feb.-March 2014. Since then -- nothing. So the attacks can just go away for a long time. My Sheltie is now over 14.5 years old, and he's been doing incredibly well since the attacks last year.
Super helpful, thanks! xox
Thank you for this video it gives me hope that my 13 year old shih-tzu will recover, he has had frontal and rear spinal surgery? An eye out and a tumour removed and is still going strong
I've had/have 3 old dogs and all of them had some form of vestibular that is very distressing but absolutely no need to put your old dog down. It's often just an ear infection.
However, similar effects are totally not vestibular and are kind of arthritis but also the elderly dog becoming "dog senile". My dogs have been 17 to 20 years of age here and already deaf, cataracts, and they try their best but are shitting and pissing in the house and crawling around with back legs that do not work, in agony smearing it everywhere. IDGAF about the mess, I can clean it. But the poor old dogs have no quality of life and I sadly had to put them down. Thankfully this is an option. I can't imagine how bad things could get to leave a dog to die in agony.
This has happened to our dog once. She’s 18 and recovered. then about 4 months later we are dealing with it again. Hopefully she will pull thru.
But I know her time is near. 😂
this has happened to my old dog before but this time he just sleeps and doesn't like moving
Thank you for this video. We were concerned because after the first day our Chi, who had been taken to the vet and had been diagnosed, did not display the typical walking in circles etc. we were concerned that there was something else going on. We are treating him for a middle ear infection as well but we were told there was always a chance of brain tumor. Your video was wonderfully helpful. Esp noting the walk! Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for thoughtfully posting this video. My 12 year old poodle and I are going thru this right now and because the symptoms match those of a brain tumor that my cat had I automatically assumed the worst. now I feel some hope. The vet gave a steroid shot and doggie seems to be better. Thanks again. fingers crossed.
+Goopty Goop Good luck with your poodle. A great percentage of dogs can make a fine recovery from this terrible illness. After two back-to-back bouts, a year and ten months ago, my dog is still with me, and doing very well, considering he's an amazing 15 years old (almost unheard of for a Sheltie.)
My dog had an episode this summer with the vestibular disease. At the time I thought it might be heat stroke. It was very hot that day and she couldn't get back to the dog door. However, I know now what it actually was. She is 16 1/2 years old, shepard, golden ret. mixed. The love of my life. She had another episode this past Thursday on 12/1/16. When this happens more than once, are the chances of improvement the same or does the chances of a full recovery become more slim with on going episodes? She fully recovered this summer. After the 3rd day this summer she was pretty good. This time it is more severe and taking much longer although I do see some improvement.
Thank you for educating me and the many others on these devastating disease.
Pat, NC
my baby is recovering... today is day 5 and hes mobile again. i am also treating his UTI that pretty much triggered this regression.
but... still concerned hoping i continue to see improvement.
the worst is when they get frustrated and cry the whole time.
So glad your dog has recovered each time. Why did your vet put him in ICU; was it because of vomiting or could he not move at all during his first attack? I have a 14 y/o (on June 1st) dapple dachshund - she had her first episode this past Friday evening but she's been able to walk, just very wobbly. She's lost her hearing in the past 4 months so she wasn't hearing well before this. She was just at the vet last week and had blood work and all her organs are good - she had her teeth cleaned and an extraction. She had had an episode last week during the night where she woke up and went to the head of my bed and was bumping into the headboard. I picked her up and took her to the water bowl and she did the same thing on the wall like she was confused. I took her outside and she was wobbly then so that's why I took her to the vet. They could not find anything wrong, except her liver levels are a little high. They said she needed her teeth cleaned and an extraction, which we had done on Thursday of last week. I picked her up and she was fine, but then on Friday she was not steady on her feet at all. She still eats and drinks well and has had no vomiting. Today she seems a little better - moving around better - but her head is tilting. Does this sound like Vestibular Disease to you?
My 13 year old dog was just diagnosed with this it’s only been 5 days she still can’t get up to walk.. she has a severe head tilt any pointers you have to make this as easy on her as possible would be greatly appreciated the vet gave her amoxicillin and prednisone
Thank you so much for sharing this! My 11 1/2 year old Aussie "Bonnie" (out of the blue!) had some sort of seizure four nights ago, but I couldn't see exactly what was happening as it was pitch dark. Today I witnessed her "episode". Watching your Sheltie looks just like watching my Aussie. The "drunk" walk, only going so far then laying down, etc. Was going to get an MRI tomorrow morning, think I'll wait a few more days.
Question: When my Aussie had her episode today, it was when she had gotten up from her bed, then she started swaying and lost her balance and fell over on her side. Her eyes were darting back and forth and she peed and drooled. Is the similar to what your Sheltie acted like?
Thank you!
same my dog is suffering.. he is 7 years old german shehperd... its been a week now .. he has shown some improvement but still his walking is not upto the mark... his neck is tilted and also not eating well as he was eating earlier... we ar home are very tensed for him.. he have been given all the treatment . shots and medicine by vet... he is not like he was before .. plz comment and say what is the best can be done... he has shown improvement not to forget ...
My dog just experienced this the other night. It only lasted for about two hours and the next day she was still kinda out of it, but looked much better. Now it seems she is almost fully recovered just a few days later.
Going through this right now with my 13 year old Labrador. Came home from a 5 hour work shift on Saturday evening to find him stumbling around, falling over, head tilted, and eyes darting back and forth. Then he began throwing up. It's now Tuesday morning. He stopped throwing up yesterday. The eyes stopped darting around yesterday. He ate a little yesterday, but wouldn't eat this morning. He's still walking like a drunken sailor, but isn't falling as much. He even attempted to shake his body (wet dog shake) a couple of times. He's not comfortable going outside for some reason, so taking him out to potty has been tricky. I'm trying to guide him with my body as we walk and it seems to help him be a little more confident while he adjusts. If it doesn't clear up in 2 weeks, I'm taking him to the vet but for now I'm giving him Dramamine to help with the nausea and just supporting him as best I can.
jakrussel33 Giving dogs human medications is not recommended in general; the vet gave my dog an anti-nausea prescription. But it sounds as if your dog is making a swift and good recovery, much faster than mine did. I think the entire world is swinging around in their heads during these attacks, so the dog might indeed feel safer inside. I didn't take my dog out at all; it was basically an intensive care unit here until he regained his equilibrium.
My dog is in fine shape, well over a year later - and he's 14.5 years old.
airborne8282 Well the emergency vet told me to give him Dramamine, so...
+jakrussel33 If you read online it does say Dramamine is safe for dogs. You just have to verify the dosage, which it sounds like this person did. My dog is a 4 year old Chihuahua Dachshund, Spitz mix and I was freaking out yesterday because she did this for about ten minutes, puked a couple of times and was fine within half an hour, just tired yesterday. I'm just glad from reading online and how long it lasts usually that she was doing awesome last night playing catch like normal and she's completely okay today!
I was giving him Dramamine. I gave it to him the vey next morning as soon as the store opened and I could go buy some. That said, his nausea didn't clear up for a couple of days after and he didn't start eating full meals again for nearly a month. He was only eating less than half of what he normally did. He stopped stumbling so much about the same time (a month), although the worst of it (falling down and going in circles) stopped after about a week and a half. He didn't start playing fetch and running around again for 3 months. And finally last month, he felt good enough to climb up on my couch again. I found a vestibular disease support group on Facebook. From what I can tell, each dog's vestibular is a bit different. Some recover much more quickly than others. Some have multiple "episodes" too.
My Pug Chyna at age 14 had over a year three spells of Vestibular Syndrome, and yes it's terrifying. I was lucky and she recovered each time in a couple days, given Dramamine at the onset and prescribed Cerenia for taking care of symptoms at home. A note to owners to if it's a stroke or not, if the eyes dart side to side it isn't a stroke, if the eyes dart Up and Down it could be a storke. either way it's horrifying to see.
Do you think hospitalizong helped? My dog won't eat and I'm forcing her to drink. Vet doesn't want to keep her because of stress. I don't know what to do.
Put some carpet down so the bowl and dog have traction. Been there done that. Good luck with your boy.
my dog started this 4 nights ago, then had an accident on the 3rd day setting him back as now he acts as if he cant see :(
BUT he is now accepting food by spoon, but he seriously just looks so confused :( I have everything padded in case he bumps into a corner
How long do episodes last for? And do the dogs rely on permanent medication to control the condition.
My little hamster is going through this dreadful disease and it truly is horrible. X
Our chihuahua Zoe is currently on day 4 since episode, although the Dr's don't know for sure if it's a stroke or vestibular she started out head tilt and seemingly complete paralysis, with high elevated alkp liver levels. she is able to eat, drink, and move her head more, but unable to walk or stand, we brought her home last night (she wouldn't sleep) she is on seizure meds, meclizine, denamarin, and liver diet food. We are searching for help and answers any and all advice and help is greatly appreciated thank you
So sad..
Thank you for showing this video. My dog Milly had an attack at 4:15 this morning. I honestly thought she was fitting. Took her to the vet and had her diagnosed. She is 15 and full of cancer but a true fighter. I put her in the kitchen in her bed (as she was messy) but somehow managed to crawl out the back door into the garden. Her eyes are still flittering and she is drooling a lot. I have been giving her water using a syringe into her mouth. How long until I see some sign of improvement? She is still leaning back to one side and twisting over.
The first time my dog had this (depicted in the video), the first four days were terrible, although he showed improvement starting the second day. He completely recovered within 2 weeks, 100%. The second time my dog had this, he recovered faster, in a matter of days, also to 100%. He still has a very slight head tilt but he made a 100% recovery.
My dog is currently suffering from thus.she cant even walk straight for 4 days now.she moves in circle....im so worried... Do you give any medications/pill/suppliment to your dog
Typical recovery can be 2 weeks, so look for improvement as the days go by. Have you been to the vet? My dog took some motion sickness pills briefly to make him more comfortable, but otherwise it's a matter of waiting for natural recovery.
I think we may have litter mates, we own a male sheltie, same age and build. Our Max is also going through this issue as he ages. From what his papers say his b-day is !/23/02. He is a re-homed dog for 7years now. What are you doing for him food/suppliments wise? THX :)
My dog has recovered from the two bouts in 2014; feeding is normal.
This happened to my dog he is 19 he a mixture of something
My dog seems to have this to but i took him to the vet and they said he is falling over because of arthritis ? he is 13 and is a shitzu , but to me it seems like this ? Curious if i should take him back to the vet even tho it cost 100 $ to check him here .
+Shane Macdonald There are very distinctive symptoms of Old Dog Vestibular Disease, and without one symptom or another, it could very well be other causes. My dog was a complete quadriplegic with Vestibular, until he recovered; some will walk in a dizzy circle (it's a vertigo-inducing disease), almost always with vomiting from motion sickness. My dog pictured in the video, now over two years later, has been in great shape until a recent falling-down problem; his hind legs are not always up to the job; he's on Dasequin and Derramax.
Hmm see my dog he would be fine while laying down but when he gets up and tries to walk he stalls and his head would move in a circle motion like he is dizzy and sometimes he would fall down but sometimes he wont but i noticed he cant see where he is sometimes and he bangs into wall or when i get home from work he would bark to get his treat but bark the opposite direction ? they say he has cataracts love my best friend dont knwo what i would do without him and all the stress about him possibly having a tumor when it just could be this or even a inner ear infection
Hi, thanks for posting this video.
We are in the UK and our vet Euthanized our dog against our wishes after a brief attack of this.