Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog health - Ask members * If your pet is vomiting-bleeding-diarrhea etc. Vet time!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old September 5th, 2008, 08:54 AM
deborah183's Avatar
deborah183 deborah183 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nanaimo BC
Posts: 14
Geriatric vestibular syndrome

Does anyone have experience with this? My 12 year old mini daschund is displaying all the symptoms and my vet is wanting to keep her off medication until he's sure this is what it is. It is very severe and I'm very worried. Are there ways to alleviate symptoms? She isn't eliminating waste as she can't walk or stand. Ideas would be greatly appreciated.


Deborah
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old September 5th, 2008, 11:03 AM
Dr Lee's Avatar
Dr Lee Dr Lee is offline
Senior Contributor - Expert
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,060
For geriatric vestibular syndrome the best treatment is supportive care and time. I am glad that you do not have a vet that is blindly throwing steroids in her direction and hoping something happens.

We don't totally understand this syndrome but for unknown reasons the center of balance basically shuts off. And like a computer the brain needs to 'reboot'. This re-orientation of balance usually takes anywhere from hours to days for the majority of signs to respond. Typically most all signs have resolved by two weeks. There are some dogs who may have a permanent head tilt however most do not.

When trying to 'figure out' what it exactly is, it is important to remember that geriatric vestibular syndrome will start suddenly and then consistently improve. If the clinical sign begin to worsen or other signs appear, then we need to start looking at other possibilities of what may be going on.

I hope this helps.
__________________
Christopher A. Lee, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM
Preventive Medicine Specialist With a Focus on Immunology and Infectious Disease
myvetzone.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old September 5th, 2008, 01:27 PM
deborah183's Avatar
deborah183 deborah183 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nanaimo BC
Posts: 14
Thank you so much for your reply Dr Lee. It is of great comfort to know that you don't advocate medication as I was unsure of my Vet's decision. We are new to this city and just started seeing him and I wasn't sure if his not medicating her was the right decision.

She is getting a lot of comfort, being held in a fleece blanket. We are also letting her lay on the floor and move around a bit. She has eaten a little food today and so far hasn't thrown it up, so the signs are improving.

I appreciate your advice.

Deborah
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old September 5th, 2008, 03:15 PM
diandpat's Avatar
diandpat diandpat is offline
ZiggyZuzuZoeyRaggzy&Keena
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,978
Our 14 yr old golden, Ginger, had vestibular disease last Sept and it scared the wits out of me! She manifested in the night and in the a.m. there was white foamy vomit all over the living room and she was staggering around like a drunk with her eyes going up and down and side to side. Thought for sure she was having a stroke :sad:

The vet said it was classic vestibular disease and TLC was the best treatment! She also told us to give her some gravol if we could get it in her to try to stop the spinning and hopefully get her to sleep. She did spend one night in hospital because she was not peeping/pooping and it had been over 36 hrs so they wanted to put an IV and catheter. She spent 28 hrs in hospital and then we brought her home and just waited anxiously and patiently for her to get better

I switched her to Wellness wet food because she was having trouble eating and we ended up putting all kinds of area carpets in the house because she was having trouble getting a grip when walking, getting up. I suppose it would have come to that even without the disease as she is getting old.

Our Ginger still has the headtilt a year later. I still give her Gravol once in a while when I see she is a little off balance but she is still going very strong.

I am sure your pooch will continue to improve and I am sure you don't mind giving her the TLC right now either. As Dr. Lee said, as long as it keeps getting better and not worse, you are doing all you can do.

Good luck and keep us posted.

(I will check my other computer...I think I still have pics of Ginger's progress)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old September 5th, 2008, 05:07 PM
deborah183's Avatar
deborah183 deborah183 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nanaimo BC
Posts: 14
I'm so happy to hear your dear one recovered. I am thinking that my girl is doing better. Her eye's aren't twitching as much, she is able to control her head movement a bit better and she went to the bathroom earlier.

I'll keep the thread informed of her progress.

Deborah
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old September 5th, 2008, 05:23 PM
diandpat's Avatar
diandpat diandpat is offline
ZiggyZuzuZoeyRaggzy&Keena
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,978
Found them!!!

She still has the head tilt even today, especially when she is tired. We think it is kinda cute because she looks like a puppy. She is in no pain or discomfort...it just becomes the norm.

Glad yours if feeling better. That she was able to eliminate on her own is huge...took Ginger three days.

1. first day, 2. a week later, 3. one month later...
Attached Images
   
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old September 5th, 2008, 09:53 PM
deborah183's Avatar
deborah183 deborah183 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nanaimo BC
Posts: 14
What a beauty - head tilt or no. Here is a photo of my little one - Pebbles. I took this today.
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old September 6th, 2008, 09:40 AM
Dr Lee's Avatar
Dr Lee Dr Lee is offline
Senior Contributor - Expert
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,060
Pebbles looks like she is a real sweetie!
__________________
Christopher A. Lee, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM
Preventive Medicine Specialist With a Focus on Immunology and Infectious Disease
myvetzone.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old September 6th, 2008, 09:43 AM
diandpat's Avatar
diandpat diandpat is offline
ZiggyZuzuZoeyRaggzy&Keena
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,978
Oh poor baby...don't you just want to squish her??? She is so sweet looking. Hope the improvements have continued through the night and that she is eating and drinking better today.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old September 6th, 2008, 01:09 PM
deborah183's Avatar
deborah183 deborah183 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nanaimo BC
Posts: 14
She is a sweetie and I adore her! Today she appears to be about the same as yesterday, perhaps a bit more coherent. She ate a healthy bit of food this morning and has not vomited. She slept well last night, just waking up a few times. I'm hoping she is improving and thankful I didn't advocate for medication like I thought I should. Thanks to you both for your support.

Deborah & Pebbles
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old September 6th, 2008, 02:32 PM
Sylvie's Avatar
Sylvie Sylvie is offline
Senior Contributor
Space Invaders Champion, Smack the Rabbit Champion
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Caledonia, Ontario
Posts: 1,519
About 5 years ago, my 12 year old GSD Chelsea had the same thing, She recovered to 98%. You could hardly see the head tilt unless you were looking for it.

I am for you doggy. Hope everything goes well for you both. Please keep us posted.
__________________
Sylvie

Owned by

Bree 12 year old GSD
Keesha 8 year old GSD
Cyrus 7 year old GSD


RIP: All my angels.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old September 6th, 2008, 06:00 PM
deborah183's Avatar
deborah183 deborah183 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nanaimo BC
Posts: 14
Thank you for your prayers Sylvie.

Today I left Pebbles on her blanket to go get her a bit of food. When I returned she was standing, yes STANDING!!! I was very happy. She didn't stand long, but at least she is up on her feet.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old September 9th, 2008, 11:41 AM
deborah183's Avatar
deborah183 deborah183 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nanaimo BC
Posts: 14
I'm very happy to report that Pebbles continues to improve. She is walking nearly a straight line, stumbling just a little. Her appetite has FULLY returned and she's eating more then usual. She is able to cuddle with her brother Whatley (our other mini dacshound) and will come and find me if I leave her to go into another room. Her head still tilts dramatically and she cannot be left on anything other then the floor or around stairs. Her vet is very pleased with her progress and we have not had to medicate her!

On a sadder note; my Vet told me that many dogs get put down because of this either because of misdiagnosis or their owners can't stand to watch them go through it. That is so sad and frustrating. I wish there was more information 'out there' about this syndrome so people would know that a dog can recover and live out their lives. I know for me that I believed I would lose Pebbles when she first showed signs, but going through the past few days - as hard as it has been - has been SO worth it. I feel like I have been blessed with her all over again.

Thanks to all for your support.

Deborah
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old October 29th, 2014, 09:45 AM
Meesha Meesha is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Windsor
Posts: 4
My 14 year old Pointer mix had this two years ago. It was the scariest thing imaginable. My vet had me treat it with Gravol. I had to feed him with a siringe for a few weeks. After about two months, he got it again. This time it only lasted about a few days, but it took about 8 months for him to stop with the head tilt.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:46 PM.