Vestibular Disease

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Has anyone had any experience with this?

My old dog had an episode a few weeks back...fairly mild and went within a day or two with medication, but it's back again and seems slightly worse!
 
My old lab had it. Woke up one morning with it. He had improved within 48 hours.
Best thing is to speak to your vet.
It can improve but I think in some cases it can return and not improve.
It's horrid to see and I hope your dog gets over it again.
 
Thanks...
I'll be popping along to the vet today to get him checked out.
Last time it happened I thought he'd had a stroke and rushed him in as an emergency. Now I know what it is, I feel a little less panicked by it.
Last time, he was sick, wee'd his bed and was wobbly. This time it's all of the above but he also has the head tilt. I've just taken him out for a wee and he wasn't sick this time so that's a bonus, and he's back asleep. He's in a pen so he can't hurt himself if he gets up for a wander.
 
Both of our old (sister) spaniels developed this at around 13/14. One, T, had one or two odd episodes of bedwetting, vomiting, and wobbliness but on medication she was fine, went back to her normal (albeit slightly blind, slightly deaf by this stage) self. The other, J, had more frequent episodes, even on medication, and developed a head tilt that stayed. In between episodes, she was her usual cheery (if slightly decrepit) self. Both used to sleep very thoroughly and lengthily after an episode, and wake up more or less normal. Both stayed on medication from quite early on and lived energetically and happily for another two years, before we lost T to cancer and J to kidney failure. We did find that J's episodes were worse when they recurred, though T's stayed pretty consistent. I hope you can find a good way forward with your vet for your lad. Sympathies -- it's not very nice to experience as an owner.
 
Thanks for your reply...
Buster is a 14 yr old Jrt. Apart from being deaf , he's been pretty fit and healthy up to now so it's hard to see him struggling.
I'm leaving him alone to sleep in his pen and will see what he's like when he wakes up.
 
One of my rescues had three episodes of Vestibular. Not sure how old she was but around 11 when had the first one, was "off her legs" for about 4 days the first time but gradually recovered and was back to going up and down stairs within about a month, had another episode about 18 months later when I was holiday - several conversations with the vet who said if she was his wouldn't worry and she'd be fine in about 10 days which was correct. She did required some support to help her balance when walking initially but was soon managing fine. Final one she must have been well over 13/14 and after a couple of days decided it was kinder to let her go as she had been finding difficult to get about and couldn't see very well. It is worrying and difficult but surprising how they recover with assistance. Hope things improve soon.
 
my old collie has had 4 episodes now, each one milder than the last. The first attack nearly killed her and took her a long time to get over and left her deaf and wobbly. There is no treatment so I don't go the vet now when she's bad, the main problem is keeping her eating something, usually just sliced ham for days. Most dogs only have one episode, a few then a 2nd or 3rd so she's been unlucky to have 4 but the last time was relatively mild and she was soon back to normal.
 
I’ve just searched this as my Springer seems to have this. The emergency vet last night mentioned referral for scans etc, but given that she’s not insured, this seems a bit hasty. You mention medication. What was the medication please? She’s had anti sickness injection but is eating and drinking well as wasn’t sick before we took her. I plan to see how she is later today and perhaps see if I can see my own vet.
 
With my old boy he had no treatment and improved in two days.
I wouldn't have gone for scans even had they been offered due to his age and not wanting to put him through any disstress.
He did recover though and had quite a few months afterwards.
 
meleeka said:
I’ve just searched this as my Springer seems to have this. The emergency vet last night mentioned referral for scans etc, but given that she’s not insured, this seems a bit hasty. You mention medication. What was the medication please? She’s had anti sickness injection but is eating and drinking well as wasn’t sick before we took her. I plan to see how she is later today and perhaps see if I can see my own vet.
Click to expand...

Vivitonin is your friend - I’m going to see if there’s a human version for my old age!!

It’s not a miracle cure by no means but I’ve had several dogs have this in their later years and I would really rate it. I’ve currently got the Button dog on it as she’s had a couple of vestibular attacks recently.

It’s prescription only and not particularly cheap (over £1 a day) but it does help the oldies keep rattling on a bit longer, with a good quality of life and no side effects.
 
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