GSD with ataxia - Page 1

My 6 y/o male GSD is showing odd neurologic symptoms. Last night it seemed as if he was stumbling a few times. This morning things dramatically worse. He was falling over with difficulty standing back up. Has vomited 3x today just bile. He is drinking but slowly, does not want to eat. Drooling, like he is nauseated from being dizzy. He is extremely unsteady, like he will fall at any time.

He has had two other episodes where he was playing ball and problems. He would sit, stand multiple times but then after about 5 minutes, fine. These were about 6 weeks ago and 2-3 weeks apart. He is also being treated for a severe GI infection, clostridium. Diagnosed after 3 seperated vomiting/diarrhea episodes. At that time, 2 1/2 weeks ago he had enlarged liver but enzymes and all other blood work normal.

Exam this am left vet and me uncertain as what really is going on. repeating blood work. no fever noted. Liver no longer enlarged. No obvious nystagmus but when head is lift up at a certain point eyes will roll downwards and he will drop his head. Right and Left movements of head are ok.

Has anyone delt with severe ataxia before? What was on the rule out list?

Run a tick panel and run blood for Babesia. Do it quick

are you treating with metronidazole?  I would stop and use an alternative.  I have known dogs to have issues with metro.

Darcy

You said you repeated bloodwork? Was your dog hydrated? Abdominal x-rays done? If routine exam & work-up was negative consider finding a veterinary teaching hospital associated with a university...don't know where you're located. Or contact a canine neurologist, you're vet should be able to recommend someone. Ataxia is considered a 'late' sign, I would bring the dog back to the vet if this continues or seek care elsewhere urgently. Good luck, jackie harris

Tick panel all negative.

Darcy,
I also questioned metronidazole and discussed problems with my vet but agreed it was the best choice to combat the clostridium. What problems have you seen?

Jackie,
Thanks, We will probably going to UGA on Monday or Tuesday. But that is so long when your baby is sick:(
Blood work from 2 weeks ago negative, waiting on todays blood work. No signs today of dehydration. No diarrhea/vomiting after starting antibiotics 2 weeks ago. Only started again today with vomiting bile. Abd x-ray 2 weeks ago showed enlarged liver, could palpate but today did not repeat xray  as we can not feel any enlargement. Actually 4 days after starting antibiotics, liver felt back to normal size.
So, yes teaching hospital with canine neurologist.
-Tracy

the dog had "poor balance" and progressed to seizures, what I use to call Grand mal seizures....  this is the description given to me, by a friend.  they stopped once the metro stopped.  They were treating for bowel disease(not clostridium) as well, but could switch to amoxyxillin.  I have never had to use metro where I could not switch, so I would have no idea waht else you can use...  possibly, someone else has an alternative they have used or know of....

Darcy

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=489390&pagen=2

here is an earlier thread on clostridium and treatment.  i don't usually post here and don't know if I am posting the link correctly....

Darcy

I have heard about a mold toxin that causes neurological symptoms like this too. A friend of mine had a her dog diagnosed with this after she got into old pasta in the trash. It was short-term and the dog recovered on its own within about 24 hours. Could your dog be getting into something like this?

Christine

Sure sounds like text-book adverse reaction to metronidazole...you describe what is seen in overdoses, as well as up to three weeks after treatment has started with moderate to high dosage for a sustained time frame. I suggest contacting the vet today and asking about stopping the metronidazole and switching him over to something else--ampicillin, amoxicillin and clindamycin all are effective against the organism, as is tylosin (Tylan) which can be used off-label and has demonstrated a good efficacy and safety.