Need advice for a very not well dog...

[fNord]

My boyfriend's moms dog is in a bad way. We thought he might have had a stroke, but the vet said it was just a kind of old dog nerve damage. All the sudden, he can't walk properly, his head leans to his left hard, and he's doing a kind of Ray Charles thing with his head. His eyes keep flashing from left to right, which the vets say is good, as opposed to up and down, which they say say is neurological, not nerves. Apparently nerve damage is good..... He doesn't seem to be in pain, but he's obviously suffering from some twisted vertigo and the poor bugger can't even make it out side. I've worked as a CNA, so changing bed pans isn't out of my wheelhouse, and I don't mind cleaning up after this sweetheart. I've known the family for years, and was there when this little puppy came home for the first time.
He's always been an ornery bastard, and it's the lack of that that's scaring me. If any one has some advice or any veterinary training, I'm all ears. And if not, please pray for Guinness (that's the dog) he needs more help than I can give.

Thank you

[catbyte]

1. My cat had something very similar and it turned out to be an inner ear infection/inflammation.

Her eyes darted from left to right & had serious balance issues. She was treated with antibiotics and steroids and was okay in a week or so. Has the doctor ruled that out? I will keep dear Guinness in my thoughts.

[fNord]

3. Thank you for your love

The doc said that ear infection was part of it, but there was something else, vestigial nerve problems I think. I wasn't there, Dave, my BF was, I'm just here now, and I feel like the owner of a sick goldfish. I see him struggling, and just don't know what to do. He doesn't seem to be in pain, and he normally lets you know if he's bothered by anything. Loudly.

Mom has asked Dave and I to keep eyes on him 24 so we slept here in shifts tonight. I'm not good at the internet, but DU has always been good to me

Thanks agin

[catbyte]

5. If it is a vestigial nerve problem, steroids can really help that, too. I talked to a friend

of mine this morning whose dog presented the same symptoms as your Guinness and he was treated with steroids to help the inflammation of the nerve. They really helped him. He was still a bit unsteady on his feet, but he lived a happy life for a long time after diagnosis.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. You might want to post this in the Pet's Group.

A few of the members are really adept when it comes to pet medical issues. Catbyte might be onto something too.

[fNord]

4. Thanks

I've been on DU for almost 10 years, but usually just read LBN or GD, and have almost exclusively posted here. I forget this place is expansive... thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try.......

[Brother Buzz]

6. Canine idiopathic vestibular disease, which is also sometimes called "old dog disease"

I had to look it up as I only knew it as vestibular disease.

Our old girl, Sally, had it, and it was treated on a very short trial with steroids (prednisone). You don't want to use it for long because it can create a bunch of other health issues. Our veterinarian had us treat our old girl for five days. She was much improved, and back to normal non-leaning gait, no weird eye movement, etc. At 14 years old, we weren't expecting miracles, but we were relieved her remaining six months she was a reasonably normal, happy old girl.

[Laffy Kat]

7. One of our dogs had this.

Head-tilting, staggering. It's an inner ear thing. It will improve and he will learn to live with the residual symptoms. It looks worse than it is.

[Dismade]

8. Could be inner ear damage.

An old infection can cause that kind of reaction.

It may be his time, friend. I know that's hard, but you have to know when it's for the good of the animal. If he's housebound, if he's really having trouble getting around, he's likely bored and depressed. Also, he'll feel a sense of shame over incontinence.

I've done feral-cat and abuse/neglected dog rescue for over 25 years, and I've learned that it's often in the animal's interest to let them go in peace and with dignity rather than try too hard to salvage them.

I'm ALWAYS in the room with them when the shots are administered, it hurts me and it's sad, but better to have it happen under control and with your love handy than let them die alone and in fear whilst you're away.


Personally, I support euthanasia for humans too, and think it's barbaric to force people to suffer the incredible pain of say, an incurable cancer, and let them die in the agony of massive organ failure.


My best regards for Guinness.