vestibular(old dog disease) - Page 2

Hello,

My  old male was diagnosed with this when he was 11 yrs. old. Came on fast, and scared then hell out of us. We took him in and he was put on the motion sickness med, as well as a steroid. He came around to almost normal 2 1/2 to 3 weeks after the event. He always had a head title after that though, and would slightly stagger when he got overly excited and was chasing the kids or the puppies. He had another episode about 9 months after the first, but recovered quickly after. He lived to the age of 13 and died of antural causes. Love he while you have him, if he is not vomiting and is eating and drinking he is well on his way to recovery. Good luck!

I don't think that either of mine that had gone through it were totally better in three days.  The "could" be better in three days, but I think in most cases they are not better for at least a week, if not more. 

thanx so much everyone.it helps to hear how long others dogs were out of it for.

and better to hear they did all come back to normal.                                                          i will take a crooked head if that's the way he ends up.

last monday morning i thought for sure that i was putting him down

Use a long towel and support under his belly to help him walk.. that will save your back!! I didn't even think of that when it happened here .. was just so consumed with taking care of her .. My lower back has never been the same!

Don't think my husband has ever been here when something like this has happened medically to the dogs or the cat for that matter!

hi dkiah, i can't use the towel he is so off balance in the front, that i have been holding him on his sides while standing over him and directing him.

i'll deal with the pain

FWIW, the "old school" treatment, such as it was, consisted of some basic antibiotics (ampicillin, amoxicillin...IOW, not one of the high-powered antibiotics) and prednisone to help with any inflammation that might be involved. I know it's not the popular choice these days, but when my own 12 year old bitch was hit with this last Christmas Eve, that's the route we went for her.  The nystagmus (abnormal rapid eye movement, usually side to side) resolved in about 3 days, so she was no longer falling over as readily, but it took a solid month for her to recover for the most part (and she was on the drugs for that time period) and another three to four weeks before she completely lost the head tilt.  Looking at her now, you'd never know she'd gone through it...so patience, harley, your boy should start to turn around soon, too.

 Agree with Hexe in the medications. Also agree that using a towel or two or sheets under the dog will help your back. You can use one or two if necessary, one at the front and one at the back. There are slings just for these types of conditions, but by the time you would order and receive it the dog may be much more stable. Don't worry, the dog should get better, although it will seem slow to you. The nystagmus hopefully will resolve first. Once it does, you should see much faster improvement.

Good luck.