The title of this blog may sound coarse but it is, nonetheless, the one trite, vet school maxim that sticks to my grey matter more than any other—perhaps because it reeks of callous, old-style vet medicine but more likely because it has actually served me well.
Garth, a geriatric yellow Lab with the droopy face and plodding gait of a doddering old man, is one of my favorite clients. So it was that when my telephone rang at 7:30 this morning (Sunday, no less) with news of Garth’s imminent demise, I was quick to get out of bed and into my car.
Garth pulled up to the back of the hospital in style, nestled in blankets in the back of a Porsche SUV (I’d like an ambulance like that). His eyes were dancing back and forth, his head was tilted to one side and tremoring, and his mom assured me that every time he’d try to walk he’d simply fall over like a drunk. He’d been like that all night.
Garth had already been to an emergency clinic near his mom’s house. The vet there told her that Garth was probably terminally ill with a brain disorder or tumor and that she would have to see a neurologist on Monday. He also offered to euthanize him before that time should she prefer to alleviate his suffering. He gave Garth some Valium for his shaking and tremoring and offered to keep him overnight. His mom elected to take him home, keep a sleepless vigil, and wait for my opinion in the morning.
Poor old guy. He was clearly uncomfortable. Confused and nauseous, he had not been able to locate his mom when called (though he tried to look for her) and refused all his favorite treats.
In case you’re thinking this is going to be one of my sad stories, just keep in mind the title of this post.
Old dogs will sometimes suffer a temporary problem with their balance system. Alternately called vestibular disease, vestibular syndrome or vestibulitis, this disorder of unknown origin is often the cause of premature euthanasia in dogs. Because the onset of symptoms are so sudden, and because dogs look so terribly afflicted, twisting and rolling on the ground as if terminally confused, it seems difficult for many people to believe their dog will ever be normal again. And because they’re usually weak geriatrics, the decision in favor of euthanasia comes easily for most people whose dogs find themselves suddenly in this dramatic situation.
The reality is that most dogs will recover on their own as symptoms slowly regress over a period of days. More rarely, the recovery period can stretch out to two or more weeks. Apart from being nauseous (you would be too if your balance system suddenly went awry and you couldn’t tell which way was up), needing assistance to get up and do their excretory business, and requiring encouragement to eat and drink, these dogs usually do just fine.
The hard part of this disorder is that it’s impossible to diagnose with 100% certainty. (It’s what we call a diagnosis of exclusion.) Because there is no specific test for vestibular disease, all cases must be thoroughly examined for other signs of disease—toxicity, nervous system cancers and infections, liver disorders, and inner ear infections can all produce similar symptoms. But spinal taps and CT scans are expensive and are not undertaken without some hazards. Routine blood work is the only test we employ (beyond a complete physical and neurologic exam).
Garth was already feeling a little better since his symptoms initially appeared. This is an excellent sign in favor of a diagnosis of vestibular disease. Almost no other cause for his neurologic signs would be likely to abate so quickly. Because common things occur commonly, vestibular disease is almost surely the cause for his distress. Both mom and Garth went home with instructions to rest and a prescription for some anti-nausea medication. Beats euthanasia in the middle of the night.
There’s a lesson here, and it’s not just about rolling dogs. It’s also about getting a second opinion before you euthanize an animal for any reason that doesn’t seem quite right. For the love of God, get a second opinion, especially if you don’t know the vet you’re dealing with. (In fact—and this is a subject of another post—I suspect this vet wasn’t even licensed. I’m looking into it.)
Now that you’ve read this, none of you out there will ever fall prey to the stress and close-call premature euthanasia Garth’s mom briefly contemplated. Now you, too, know the one thing I can never forget: don’t kill old rolling dogs.
Dolittler
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This finally sheds some light on a mystery I've puzzled over for a long time. Several years ago, I had a geriatric (15 year-old) Afghan hound. One night Omar simply couldn't walk or even lift his head. I also made the 25-mile middle-of-the-night run to the emergency vet and got similar answers and options. I also elected to take him home and see my own vet in the morning. By morning, he could lift his head and follow me with his eyes; and could stand briefly when carried outside long enough to do his "business". I called my vet, carried him to my truck, and drove to see my family vet, tears streaming down my face as I expected the worst. I parked the truck, got out and walked to the passenger side to lift him down and carry him in to the office. When I opened the door, lo and behold, Omar jumped down under his own power and walked only slightly drunkenly into the office, was given a reasonably clean bill of health. He went home and lived another 2 years, and died peacefully in his sleep at home, of old age at the age of 17! Thanks for enlightening me on what has been a mystery to me for many years.
Shellie November 20th, 2006 04:04:00 PM
Wow, I too went through this experience with my previous companion dog, Baby. She was 13 when she went through this, already old for a GSD. I was convinced when I saw her that she would need to put to sleep...but thanks to a wonderful vet who knew right away was going on I was able to spend another two years with my girl. She spent a few days at the vets for observation and was a little wobbly for a few more, and then herself again. She suffered another bout a year later, which didn't last quite so long, and then another year of perfect health. It was another year before she began having kidney failure, and at 15 it was too much for her to carry on. She had been with me through some of the toughest times of my life, and I know she will be waiting for me in the next. In fact, there will be a large herd of dogs and cats waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. :)
Mari Lynn November 20th, 2006 09:30:00 PM
Wow, what a story. I'm glad I read it. We have had to take our dogs to the "emergency vet" a time or two, but I love our vet so much I'd never do anything without consulting with him. Plus for all four of our babies he has been there since the moment we got them. So, he knows there history better than we do.
You sound like a wonderful vet. If we didn't already have a great one, and lived in Miami, you'd be our pick.
Kelly November 28th, 2006 07:40:00 PM
This kills me. Recently (February) my 15 yo border collie, Papa, and my fiance and I moved from AZ to CA. In January, before we moved, my dog suffered a bout of old dog syndrome, but it manifested itself with bizarre chewing and weakness. Our vet gave us some antibiotics and in a few weeks Papa was better, but not the same. He suffered from severe arthritis and had a lame shoulder that the vet said had nearly no more muscle on it, hence walking was quite painful for him even with Metacam and pain pills. Papa had been moving less and less and with more noticable pain and a pronounced limp. SO, before our big move in February we took him back to the vet. The vet said his time was short. So, we said how do we know when? He expressed that it is widely believed if a dog can no longer get up, eat, or falls in his own matter- then you know. SO, we get to CA and Papa won't eat, is falling in his feces and seems to be stumbling around. We ask around about a vet, take Papa in and the vet says it seems to be neurological. And it is now a SPIRITUAL question. To which my fiance and I disagree with each other. He felt that Papa had been through enough, I felt that Papa was just sick and we should seek yet another opinion. THEN- Steve (fiance) asks if I want to keep putting our old fellow through all of this. That's when I concede. We put Papa down. Come to find out it sounds like old dog vestibulitis/. What a devastating outcome for our glorious boy. Eternally rueful.
Amber March 23rd, 2007 06:14:00 PM
My 16 year old cock-a-poo, Piper Duffy, woke me up in the middle of the night a few days ago with these symptons. I started crying, sure that this was the beginning of the end. We took her to the vet's the next afternoon, after saying our goodbyes at home. Thankfully, the vet diagnosed it as old rolling dog syndrome and she is improving over these past few days. I gave her drammamine (sp?), soft food so she could rehydrate and have barricaded her in my bedroom because the soft food messed up her poop habits. She's still a bit disoriented and not moving exactly right, but I don't think she's in any pain. Me? I'm relieved and so grateful to have my sweet puppy with me another day!
Jane
Jane June 1st, 2007 01:51:00 PM
I am very relieved to read these posted comments and the commentary by the vet. My 12 yr old Siberian Huskey had these symptoms today that came on over night, tilted head, glazy look, stumbling and circling. I, of course, thought the worse but was happy to be told by my vet that it happens to old dogs and would possbily just go away but may come back. I thought she had a stroke and was tearful like some of the owners' comments I just read. I was given an prescription for the nausea and dizzyness and hopefully this will help my beautiful girl.
Elizabeth Grace Weaver June 14th, 2007 01:11:00 PM
I am also waiting to see if my dog can recover from Old Dog Vestibular. She has been in and out of the emergency vets office with bouts of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a rare infection, massive food allergies and now this. Equally fun has been the battle I've undertaken with Veterinary Pet Insurance. I'd love to hear any one else's horror stories about them. I hope my dog is one of the fortunate ones who makes a full recovery. Since March 30 we have spent over $14,000 on our precious Sunny Joy! And VPI is giving me nightmares about not getting it back.
Pam
Pam July 4th, 2007 11:14:00 PM
Pam, sorry to hear of all your troubles. I don't have VPI but do have ASPCA Pet Insurance, and have not had to much trouble yet. The main reason I am responding is to ask if you have tried a holistic vet who may be able to help with diet changes and supplements? My 13 year old boxer mix was very sick 7 years ago with seizures and wierd bowel problems. A raw food diet and supplements got her back to normal, and even better than she had been before her illness. However it will increase your expenses again :(:(
Good luck!
Angelyn October 2nd, 2007 10:03:00 AM
I'm crying as I write this post, as I have just had my old collie dog (13.5) Suzie euthanised. I took her to the vet this afternoon, after she started walking 'funny' and tilting her head to one side, she was off her food too. At first I thought it was an ear infection, that was my initial thoughts, she got out of the car a bit wobbly and when I got into the vets office she started panting really badly, stressed. I managed to get her up on to the table and then they had to move her to the back room to administer oxygen, she wasn't getting enough. The vet took an x-ray and blood work and told me it couldn't be vestibular disease, because if it was it would be the worse case she'd ever seen. Her blood work was uneventful apart from high lymphocyte count, but she had what appeared to be an abdominal mass, but inconclusive without a biopsy. I was so devastated, I just wanted to take her home, but the vet advised me that she probably wouldn't make it she was breathing so hard. I hate myself, she was fine before I took her in, if I hadn't taken her there maybe she would have recovered at home. She was such a gentle soul and will be in my thoughts for eternity.
Shelley Montreal
Shelley October 4th, 2007 10:36:00 PM
Thank you Everyone for your experiences thoughts and Information. I am sorry if my typing or thought are not clear I have not had 3 hours of sleep since Sunday. When Missy my wolf/husky mix suffered what i thought was a stroke, fortunately I have a Vet Who is conservative and has diagnosed Vestibulitis.. she is on antivert and yet has seemed to deteriorate I hold her sleep with her and we cry together over our impending parting .I Hope that this is the proper diagnosis as it seems like there is no improvement she does not seem to be in any pain... yet constant dizziness must be quite uncomfortable. She can neither walk or stand and she will roll over and over, she is 13 and has been in excellent health up until last week. My questions for any of you are: what kind of time did it take to see improvement and or recovery? and she had a decent appetite until today ? Again thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experience
Richard December 12th, 2007 03:02:00 PM
Richard I share your anxiety as I write this my 15 year old collie, Jack is on his third day of recovery at the Vet. This is his second bout within a year and I am hopeful that he will recover. The first bout he was showing improvement within 24 hours and this time there has not been as much improvement even after 72 hours. To answer your question I think most dogs will show improvement within three days and almost a full recovery within two weeks. Jack recovered very quickly from his first episode. Hoping your dog does as well.
Brian
brian December 16th, 2007 06:53:00 PM
I put my best friend Nipper to sleep this past Saturday thinking that she was suffering. I now know that what she was exhibiting was vestibular disease. I guess the vet thought the same as I. The pain I feel I cannot express. I miss her. I just found out too late. How sad.
Kim April 3rd, 2008 02:23:00 PM
I feel sad to hear about all the people who think they may have euthanized their dogs too soon.
We are at a very sad crossroads ourselves. Our wonderful 15-year-old Wheaten Terrier Gruffy can no longer use his back legs, has a pronounced head tilt and occasional head tremors -- all the signs of a brain tumor, according to the vet school neurologist who examined him. He strongly dissuaded us from getting an MRI to confirm this diagnosis because of Gruffy's age, instead recommending we take him for accupuncture and Chinese herbs to relieve symptoms.
Now I'm wondering whether we should actually go ahead and get the MRI. Is it unreasonable to think of treatment, such as surgery, for a 15-year-old dog with a brain tumor? We would do anything in the world to help him.
Jacki April 23rd, 2008 06:11:00 PM
My 10 years old Boxer started rolling, falling down and breathing very fast two weeks ago. I took him to two veterinarians who after reviewing the results of the blood tests and not finding any negative results, told me those were the symptoms of a brain tumor. They recommended a Magnetic Resonance but told me this exam had to be taken under anesthesia which was very dangerous due to his age.
I decided to take Bruno to a third Veterinarian, who took Xrays of his head and diagnosed Geriatric Peripheral Vestibular Disease. He prescribed Stugeron and Gingo Biloba and my Bruno started to recover (eating , running, barking) but today he started to feel very bad as the first day. My question is if anyone has experienced with his/pet a recovery and then a sudden crisis again within weeks ?
Thank you very much to all. I know how we all love our best friends.
Tere May 6th, 2008 12:46:00 AM
I want to thank you so much for this post. I recently found your site and was reading the older posts. This past sunday my old dog zack fell down outside, and when I got him up he started walking in circles. I remembered this post and realized what he probably had. He seemed to get worse early wednesday - and I started to think maybe it wasn't old dog vestibular syndrome, he was unable to get up and did not even seem happy to see me, at lunch time I had decided that it was time to let him go. When I got home on wednesday evening - he was up on his feet again, and not circling so badly! I leaned that when people say it starts to get better about 72 hours after onset - to not give up at 64 hours!
Thank you so much for all of these posts that help us to understand our animals, and our vets better.
teri & zack
teri May 22nd, 2008 11:27:00 AM
So glad I found this web-site and likewise I have two very kind and concerned vets looking after my beautiful 14 year old golden retriever "Kelsie". She had a turn almost identical to some of the experiences above and is at home tonight recovering. The vet suggested it could take up to two weeks to get back to normal, at least 'normal' for a dog of her age.
It began with her being very distressed early afternoon and having trouble getting up. I didn't immediately notice that her eyes were flickering but her head was turned to one side. She has had a couple of episodes like this over the past 18 months that I have been aware of but she has recovered very well. Nowdays she does sleep a lot more and doesn't like the long walks we used to do together but a good sniff around the block keeps her happy!
Best wishes to all those dogs and their owners who are going through this and blessings for a full recovery.
Margot June 16th, 2008 07:40:00 AM
Thank you for this article.
You have saved my old man's life.
I have been distraught since last night when the symptoms appeared.
Thank you again.
Dj ShortBuz June 30th, 2008 11:29:00 PM
My sister's "egypt" was her baby. 14 1/2 yr old red doberman/rot mix. She had been having alot of blood in her urine for quite some time. She was pretty thin too but this wall all pretty new, she had become an old girl. Yesterday my sister found her precious baby on the floor with darting eyes and head tilt and head shaking. We all thought she had a stroke. It was Sunday, her regular vet was closed and the mssg said to call the Univ. of Penn Animal Hospital. We all thought this was going to be it.....She took her to the emergency room and they did lots of tests. The vet came back and told her all the options she had to fix all the various medical problems. (She did have blood in her urine for 4 weeks, she was treating it). Vet told my sister the only way to find out about the "darting eyes and held tilt" was to have an MRI done. My sister asked the vet her opinion about what she thought was best. The vet told her to euthanize her. And she did. My sister is devastated. She is beyond sad......and now I'm reading about "vestibular disease". I am hysterical as I write this.....this hospital is supposed to be the "Mayo Clinic" for dogs. This is all making me very sick!!!!!! Can someone send a memo to every single vet in the country (world for that matter) about this obvious ignorance.
Sister July 15th, 2008 01:11:00 AM
Yesterday afternoon my old female mix "Gyspy" started to cant to one side and move her head and eyes erratically. She is 13.5 years old and has a bad back but otherwise is in great shape for the shape she is in. Since she couldn't stand, walk , eat or drink I figured this was the end. It looked to me like a stroke! I called my vet on a Saturday afternoon and he returned my call promptly. This guy is good...i described the symptoms to him and he said it sounded like vestibular syndrome. I took Gypsy over to him this morning and he confirmed his telephone diagnoses. My old girl was admitted overnight and the vet said that she will probably be okay (hopefully). Last night was a long night for me as I laid in the cellar on a pool float and rubbed her belly and stoked her head while she panted like crazy. I figured that the end would come in the morning at the vets and had tears in my eyes as my dad and I drove her to the vet. I feel much better reading these stories and am hopeful that my old girl will stick around for awhile yet. My brown lab who is nine is looking all over for her and it is killing me. He knew that she was sick last night. Thank God for a good vet. how we love our dogs!
chuck July 27th, 2008 09:33:00 PM
OMG!!!!!! As i sit and read these blogs my dog Becca a 8 years old rottie is having these exact signs, I thought it was a stroke at first but I am so encouraged reading from these interesting experiences from other dogs and owners. She is right now where she is shaking a little lythargic and leaned over to one side, my husband wanted to put her down but it's only been not even two days and I saw her this morning and she was trying really hard to see me, I could tell she could smell me and hear me somewhat, so thank all of you for this interesting info and I will ride this horrible experience out and wait with excitement on the return of my girl.
susan December 4th, 2008 03:38:20 PM
WOW - Am I happy - my 15 and a 1/2 year old schnauzer Buddy woke up Monday with the head tilt and very imbalanced - I was so scared - so I took her to the vet and they cleaned his ears and they think he may have something punctured and a bad ear infection and watned me to have him have an xray check for vestibulitis. I don't have the $500 they charge. So he has been on daramax small amount daily - as they first offered me steroids and I think he is dopey enough but still the most beautiful best friend I could ever ask for. I won't cry so much now because maybe I will go buy some dramamine and maybe that in combination with a little daramax for pain and the amoxicillin for the ear infection - well maybe he will be better in a few days. How devastating to watch but now I have hope - anyone have any experience with trying dramamine? Any have any recent great news stories to encourage me?
Nancy Englehart December 4th, 2008 04:46:59 PM
My miniature poodle approx. age of 9 yrs. Just had an episode xmas night. I woke up at 3 AM to him vomiting, in my sleepy haze I rolled over to see what kind of mess I had to clean up, but WOKE UP VERY FAST, when I saw him fall in his vomit, try to walk, and flip over on his backside!
I tried to stand him up, and he couldn't. I then just held him in bed, and watched his right eye flicker up/down, up down, I couldn't even tell if he could see me or not. He did have a slight tilt to his head too.
Having just moved here, I had no vet. I called one emergency clinic, but was NOT impressed with the gal on the phone. I then called my old vet, who is 3 hours ahead time difference wise, and he said it was a small stroke. He told me to wait another 45 minutes to see if Hunter improved.
Hunter did improve in that 45 minutes, and the vet then said to give him a baby aspirin, and one at night. Hunter regained his legs very quickly (within hours), and was alert and perky the next day, you'd never know anything had happened.
This disease does sound like what Hunter went through, but 9 is young for a small dog, so I am not positive which it was, a stroke or this disease.
It's been 10 days now, and not another episode. He is already on steroids for his many allergies, and antibiotics for a "thing" that just can't seem to be killed.
Are these episodes reaccuring???
Jean January 5th, 2009 01:01:31 PM
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