Vestibular Disease - pics
Vestibular Disease - pics
Has anyone dealt with this in their older dogs?
Re: Vestibular Disease
Most cases are idiopathic, and while the symptoms are almost always sudden and appear very severe to the owner, most cases either resolve or lessen in severity over several days to a few weeks. As long as the symptoms do not progress within that time frame, and if preliminary bloodwork and other tests do not suggest an underlying condition, it is generally diagnosed as idiopathic. If symptoms progress or worsen, then additional testing should be done to rule out lesions on the cerebellum, inner ear problems, spinal problems and even hypothyroidism. Cytotoxic drugs or trauma are also potential causes.
Most of the time, there is little to no need for medical intervention, except if there is vomiting involved, or inability to eat etc. Fluid therapy, antibiotics (if infection is present), hand-feeding and physically aiding the pet to get about are usually all that's necessary. Be careful to ensure the pet does not navigate stairs and steps or long distances without your aid. The pet may need help walking and doing potty duty during this time, so be prepared it *could* take up to a few weeks for symptoms to resolve completely.
If symptoms persist past a certain amount of time and do not resolve, or progress/worsen, then it would be wise to test further. Unfortunately, testing can get expensive. Sometimes inner ear problems can be detected upon exam or xrays, but other serious things like brain lesions etc would require CAT scans or MRI's.
Try to remain positive, most cases are idiopathic and symptoms resolve in a relatively short period of time. As long as improvement is noted within a few days, that's a good sign. Keep in mind that once resolved, in some dogs it could occur again, in which you'd want to get it checked right away, but as long as basic testing doesn't suggest a serious underlying problem, it is idiopathic and palliative care is generally all that is required. I don't want to undermine this of course because sometimes there is a much deeper issue involved, but if there is improvement and recovery, then there is less worry for more serious issues.
Most of the time, there is little to no need for medical intervention, except if there is vomiting involved, or inability to eat etc. Fluid therapy, antibiotics (if infection is present), hand-feeding and physically aiding the pet to get about are usually all that's necessary. Be careful to ensure the pet does not navigate stairs and steps or long distances without your aid. The pet may need help walking and doing potty duty during this time, so be prepared it *could* take up to a few weeks for symptoms to resolve completely.
If symptoms persist past a certain amount of time and do not resolve, or progress/worsen, then it would be wise to test further. Unfortunately, testing can get expensive. Sometimes inner ear problems can be detected upon exam or xrays, but other serious things like brain lesions etc would require CAT scans or MRI's.
Try to remain positive, most cases are idiopathic and symptoms resolve in a relatively short period of time. As long as improvement is noted within a few days, that's a good sign. Keep in mind that once resolved, in some dogs it could occur again, in which you'd want to get it checked right away, but as long as basic testing doesn't suggest a serious underlying problem, it is idiopathic and palliative care is generally all that is required. I don't want to undermine this of course because sometimes there is a much deeper issue involved, but if there is improvement and recovery, then there is less worry for more serious issues.
..........Traci
Re: Vestibular Disease
We're past the 48 hour mark and she's improved about 15%. Like I told you in text, she's on antibiotics, anti nausea and anti dizzy meds. She pretty much emptied the contents of her stomach Saturday night in four large piles scattered in the yard. She's standing a little better but head tilt is still severe. She is totally unable to do steps so I've been carrying her up and down the four out the back door to go potty. The towel as a hammock trick was okay in a pinch but I ordered a support harness that I think will give her better security. Her appetite still isn't 100% and she hasn't had a bowel movement. Urinating okay and drinking okay. So I guess like the ER vet said, it's a wait and see for 5 days since onset. No xrays or MRI was done and no bloodwork. She just had bloodwork done in August and all checked out okay. She's prone to ear infections so vet was 95% sure it wasn't anything more than this vestibular disease. I think just today she's getting a bit of cabin fever as she's used to being outside the majority of the day but there is no way she can be left unattended so ... as usual .. it's all up to me as others in my family just do not understand the meaning of responsibility.
Re: Vestibular Disease
The improvement even though it seems small, is excellent news. She should shows signs of more improvement in the next several days.
You can try hand feeding her if she's comfortable with it, and as long as she's in a comfortable position (not laying on side). Otherwise, the nausea should be resolving and her appetite picking up very soon. Make sure she's drinking normally, I know you said she is, just make sure she continues to.
I know it's scary, but thankfully, nothing obviously sinister is going on, so take it one day at a time, you're doing an excellent job!
You can try hand feeding her if she's comfortable with it, and as long as she's in a comfortable position (not laying on side). Otherwise, the nausea should be resolving and her appetite picking up very soon. Make sure she's drinking normally, I know you said she is, just make sure she continues to.
I know it's scary, but thankfully, nothing obviously sinister is going on, so take it one day at a time, you're doing an excellent job!
..........Traci
Re: Vestibular Disease
The head tilt may look cute but I can't wait for her to be healed and well enough to look straight again. Walking has improved and I purchased a sling to put under her belly to give her support with the stairs. Not carrying her by it or pulling her, it adds just enough support so she doesn't go sliding and falling. What a heart wrenching sight when that happens!
Re: Vestibular Disease - pics
Awww, so sweet, she certainly is a cutie.
Is she eating well? Does she focus her eyes on you?
Is she eating well? Does she focus her eyes on you?
..........Traci
Re: Vestibular Disease - pics
Yesterday was the first day since the incident that she ate decent enough where we felt at ease with it all. She still hasn't had a BM but when the ER vet called to check up on her, he said it could be because she's scared and uneasy to support her hind legs. She went outside this morning to potty and came up the stairs with improvement. All in all I think it's looking good. They told us 5 days before any sign of improvement and that's where we are at.
She is focusing her eyes on me now, yes.
She is focusing her eyes on me now, yes.
Re: Vestibular Disease - pics
Great news!
Does she eat canned or dry food? If dry, try giving her a little canned to help her BM - directly after she's done eating, take her out with her sling and help her in a sort of squatting position with the sling if you can. Just keep encouraging her.
Does she eat canned or dry food? If dry, try giving her a little canned to help her BM - directly after she's done eating, take her out with her sling and help her in a sort of squatting position with the sling if you can. Just keep encouraging her.
..........Traci
Re: Vestibular Disease - pics
The majority of her diet has always been dry. My mom has been boiling chicken for her and we've been mixing that in with the dry.
Re: Vestibular Disease - pics
If you can, get some canned pumpkin (not pie filling), or metamucil.
For canned pumpkin, use a couple tablespoons per 1/2 cup of her normal food (you can try adding water to her kibble so it's softened, and add the pumpkin to it). There's little harm in giving this daily, just don't give over a couple tablespoons per 1/2 cup of food at each feeding.
For Metamucil, use unflavored type, and use a couple teaspoons mixed with food. Call and ask your vet first, per her weight and the limit per day.
Take her out as often as you can, because she can benefit from exercise to stimulate a BM.
The vet can also prescribe lactulose, either way you should call them to determine for certain what they think is best. If 5 days have gone by without a BM, they may suggest wanting to see her for exam and to determine if she has a blockage of feces that may require a doggy enema.
Is she straining outside, or painful when she squats, or crying out or distended abdomen? If any of these are present, call the vet for further advice and/or for her to be seen.
For canned pumpkin, use a couple tablespoons per 1/2 cup of her normal food (you can try adding water to her kibble so it's softened, and add the pumpkin to it). There's little harm in giving this daily, just don't give over a couple tablespoons per 1/2 cup of food at each feeding.
For Metamucil, use unflavored type, and use a couple teaspoons mixed with food. Call and ask your vet first, per her weight and the limit per day.
Take her out as often as you can, because she can benefit from exercise to stimulate a BM.
The vet can also prescribe lactulose, either way you should call them to determine for certain what they think is best. If 5 days have gone by without a BM, they may suggest wanting to see her for exam and to determine if she has a blockage of feces that may require a doggy enema.
Is she straining outside, or painful when she squats, or crying out or distended abdomen? If any of these are present, call the vet for further advice and/or for her to be seen.
..........Traci