My earlier thread on vestibular, Vestibular disease: leave a light on, now has over 100 comments. On some computers [that is to say, in some browsers] the comment form can no longer handle the load, so please post new comments here.I would like to thank all those who have shared stories. Vestibular is a miserable experience for both dogs and owners, and reading about others' experiences can sometimes help. For anyone watching a beloved companion go through this: you have my prayers and best wishes for the return of your dog's health.
[That's my good girl Piper up above.]
ETA: Now with two pages of over 200 comments! Thanks, all! You may need to click "newer" to see the latest ones.
210 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 210 of 210I wanted to link to this here. It's been one year since this happened to my Dahlia and she's about 95% of where she was before. She has no head tilt, but is still just a little bit unsteady on her feet, especially her hind end. And I know it's not muscle weakness as it coincided with the vestibular attack and when she's not off balance her back end is pretty strong.
But when I was looking for info on it, I kept hoping to find some sort of day by day progress report of someone's dog, just so I could see how the disease progressed and I found nothing of the sort. So when she was better, I wrote up my whole day by day report into a few blog posts. You can find them here: http://teamunruly.com/?p=8671 I hope it helps someone just going through this!
Great link, Crysania, thanks!
Here's that link again: Day to Day with Vestibular Disease. Three parts - again, thanks to Crysania for writing this up and sharing here.
We are so grateful for this blog, it has given us so many suggestions, but most of all, HOPE! Our sweet Millie, an 11.5 year old cocker spaniel, was with a pet sitter when it started (over the holidays), so we aren't exactly sure how her signs presented. When we returned, she had a head tilt, had difficulty walking and didn't want to eat. We are on Day 11 without much improvement, and are now considering an MRI (we saw the ER vet, our regular vet and a neurologist already). She has other medical issues (liver, plus kidney cancer) which makes an MRI dangerous due to anesthesia, so we were hoping to wait and see, with as much supportive care as we possibly can give.
Millie's biggest challenges are being restless at night and not wanting to eat. For restlessness, we tried valium (didn't help much) and then last night a sedative (Acepromazine) which finally made her sleep but then that was scary because she was so knocked out this morning. Any other suggestions? Also food, she was eating canned chicken (after giving her an appetite stimulant), but now she doesn't want that, canned dogfood, peanut butter etc. Any suggestions? Thankfully she is able to drink water on her own (that has improved since the beginning)
Some of the things that have helped her get a little more comfortable (many of which are already) are:
- Acupuncture - this is the most relaxed we have seen her, so we have done it 3x since her episode started.
- Thundershirt - seems to feel comforted
- Booties or socks with grips to help her not fall
- Harness
- Bonine
- Tramadol - this helped her calm down more than other meds (but I worry since it's a pain med if she has underlying pain somewhere.)
- Pack and Play for children (we tried to crate her but she hit her head if she fell, so this is softer and larger)
- Vet's office does daycare where she is crated but monitored all day - this gives us piece of mind.
- Facebook group for canine vestibular disease
It is so difficult to watch, since some things seem to be getting better - she's stronger and more in control of her walking/limbs, for example, but other things keep getting worse - she won't eat. It's also hard to read that "most CVD cases resolve within 72 hours" when your dog's isn't. What a roller coaster. Thank you all for being a supportive group and giving folks like us hope. All these pups deserve it!
My sweet 13 year old golden Abby had this happen on Thursday night 3/23/17 she was perfectly fine and got up off her dog bed and I heard a thump and she had peed on the carpet and was wobbly, I thought her bad leg went out as she has arthritis and several years back TPLO surgery. As the night went on she couldn't stand, she was drooling really bad and circling, her eyes had rapid movement and I honestly thought she had some type of stroke. I slept on the couch so I could be near her (my husband and I had to carry her outside to go potty)by 6:30 the next morning we were off to the Vet. They brought out a gurney and let me come in the exam room. The Vet said she has nystagmus that rapid eye movement and ask if she ate, I said she did I had to hand feed her though, he later told me he could give me an MRI referral it could be something peripheral or a brain tumor. He sent me home with predinsone, antibotics and meclizine.. I knew in my heart she didn't have a tumor, her spirit is so high and even as they put her in the car her tail was wagging.. Today is day 3 and she can eat on her own, can get up by herself, she drinks more water than usual but I'm pretty sure the med's are making her thirsty. I am pretty certain she'll make a recovery I don't know if the head tilt will improve I hope so for her benefit. She is my everything and more, I thank the Firgrove Vet team for taking us in and for this blog that has helped me immensely. Much Love Carol and Abby Gonzales
If your pup get inflicted keep the faith ♥
My 14 yo shiba Nuki was down with vestibular syndrome 10 days ago. His blood tests came out fine. He had nystagmus and head tilt and unable to walk or even lift up his head the first 2 days. The vet prescribed cerenia and neurobion.
Nuki has been always healthy so this sudden illness is really distressing. This blog has been my comfort and I have read it over and over again, for information that will help. I feel the bond with all the people that has to go through this difficult period with their dogs.
The first 2 days was the worst, I almost think he is dying as he did not respond to me and the eyes darting horizontal rapidly. Water has to be fed by syringe and no food and little he swallowed will be vomitted. Slowly he did make recovery no matter how small everyday. By the 4 day, the nystagmus was almost gone.
Nuki has since make a recovery and was able to walk on day 5 though with head tilt and wobbly movement. Today I would say he is 80% of his oldself.
However the ordeal is not over yet as now he refuses his food and has to be force fed, otherwise he is in everyway behaving normally.
I hope he will recover completely.
After 2 weeks, I think Nuki is about 90% of his old self with very slight head tilt and still wobbly sometimes during walk. He has regain his appetite and eating on his own from his feeding bowl.
When Nuki was ill, he did not poop till on the 8th day, did not pee for 31 hours from onset of the vestibular syndrome. Was hand-feeding (force feed) till like one and half week into his illness. Have to syringe water for drinks till he is able to drink on his own.
To everyone whose dog is experiencing this, a lot of love and support will help your dog get better. I did not put Nuki in E-hospital overnight care though the vet suggest this, as I know my dog will be very miserable in a unfamiliar place. You have to let your dog have plenty of water during this period and basically just keep him comfortable.
Everyday I did see small improvement no matter how small, though there were times I feel he will not recover......but he did and beyond my expectation. During his first 2 weeks and I went to the vet 3 times to follow up. The vet even prepare me for the possibilty for needing to put Nuki to sleep....yes he was that ill at that time.
I am happy that the ordeal is over and our bond is stronger than ever and I want us to enjoy what time we have in the future.
I hope those who are here will give their dogs all the support, love, care and time for them to get better. If it is just idiopathic vestibular syndrome ...I think they will get better ..time is the best cure. Every dog is different, so be patient while you wait for them to get better.
I really thank this blog and all the people who contributed here for making this difficult period, less so and also all the info for those who have never heard of this illness before.
I know this is a really old post but I wondered what antibiotics he was on? My dog has started with what looks like vestibular disease 3 days after starting some amoxicillin based ones combined with steroids
My Scout had an attack with what vet is calling IVD 14 days ago. After a week of what appeared to be a worsening not improvement, I took him to a neurologist for an MRI and spinal fluid testing. Nothing abnormal was found but my poor 9.5yo chihuahua stilll appears to be worsening. This is so confusing and contrary to everything I read. His head tilt is more pronounced and he cannot move as well and falls over more now. I have no idea what to do at this point. Should he be on steroids? All the vet gave him was an antibiotic and motion sickness pills.
We’re on Day 16 of idiopathic vestibular in my 14 year old Lab, Nellie. She was inpatient for 6 days with IV and catheter. There has been improvement for sure because she had the eye movements, Barrel rolling, etc... all the typical signs. Of course we thought strike and ran her to the Emergency Hospital.
But here’s my question: she hasn’t been able to sit or stand for 16 Days. She has arthritis and has had trouble getting up for a few years. We often had to support her under her back legs - and I’m scared she’ll never walk again. When we try to help her up she Barrel rolls (although she has pretty much stopped the spontaneous rolling).
She still has a head tilt, but not as bad.
How much should we be ‘pushing her?’ Or do we just wait?
To 14 year old Lab Nellie’s parents: First, I must stress that I am not a vet, and that every dog is different. Some dogs do take longer to show signs of recovery than others. Having said that, I remember that my old border collie showed clear improvement after our holistic vet treated her with acupuncture. I might try helping Nellie up while keeping her feet in contact with the ground — I know that helped Piper. Again, though, I am not a vet.
Best wishes with Nellie! I’m sure just having you close is a comfort to her.
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