Middle ear disease

[Rowreach]

Anyone any experiences of a dog suffering with this? My 4yo fox terrier has been on a drip since yesterday morning, having had sudden onset head tilt/staggering and wierd eye movements. My vet (very experienced small animal vet, have huge confidence in her) is treating him for suspected middle ear disease - apparently it is very difficult to diagnose without head xrays and even then may not be conclusive. The symptoms could also suggest a brain disease more usually associated with old dogs, so she doesn't think it's that.

I am going to be all out brutally frank here, and admit that this dog is not very nice and has given the family (including our other dogs) 4 years of unpleasantness, and this weekend has been a complete joy without him

I am totally of the view that a dog is for life etc, and I will do my best by him, but I really feel that if he has middle ear disease or anything else that is likely to be chronic/costly to deal with and ultimately affect his QoL, I would rather make the decision now

Without shooting me down, does anyone have any advice re the diagnosis/prognosis please (before I go and say the above to the vet).

Many thanks, have a long cold one on me

 

[Supertrooper]

Most dogs get over it with no problems TBH although they do seem to get further episodes of it. Hope he gets better soon for you all. Only thing I would be concerned about is that 4yrs is a young age as it generally is more common in older dogs, he's definately got the classic symtoms of it though (head tilt and nystagmus which is the eye flickering). Sounds like your vet is doing everything right xx

 

[Rowreach]

Thank you, I did think he was a bit young OH has very rudely commented that he didn't think he had anything between the ears anyway but clearly he does We are very lucky with our small animal vet, she is very good.