Guest KennelMom Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Last night about 11pm, we were wrapping up a movie and Champ was dozing in his usual spot just in front of us by the fire place. All of a sudden he starts trying to get up but keeps falling over. Ken gets him on his feet and he can't walk (falling over, acting drunk)....he was panting...eyes wouldn't focus...general distress. I call our 24 hour vet as we are headed out the door. Champ is only a handful of days away from his birthday (14!) and we've had two seniors pass just before a birthday...so I was freaking out that we have some sort of a 'birthday curse' on our hounds or something. I've never seen Grandpa (or any of our dogs!) like this and it scared the crap out of me.... By the time we got to the vet, he wasn't distressed or panting but he was definitely very out of it. The vet diagnosed him with "Old dog vestibular disease" - nothing life threatening (as long as the dog can eat and drink) and it's just something we manage the symptoms of (nauseau from the dizzyness). This morning he seems to be much better...just a little off balance when he shakes his head. He was up, as usual, barking at 5:30am to go out. I usually hush him up for another hour, but this morning I was so happy to hear my old guy with his hoarse, raspy bark that I jumped out of bed to let him out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Glad to hear that Grandpa is doing better this morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 (edited) That is exactly what happened to Poodle last week! You have my sympathy as it scared me poopless. He threw up and was walking like a drunken sailor and falling over. Opinion is divided on if it is/was an ear infection or vestibular syndrome. I had never heard of it before. Edited May 31, 2008 by Hubcitypam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Sending some scritchies. Seems to be the job of dogs to scare the mmmph out of us way too often. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyTzu Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Dixie had a vestibular incident. They are scary for sure. Gald he seems to be bouncing back. Quote Wendy and The Whole Wherd. American by birth, Southern by choice. "Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!" ****OxyFresh Vendor ID is 180672239.**** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KRKWMU Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Thank goodness he is OK today. I see this at work with older people too. Not much we can do...just precautions around the house and a watchful eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Janeysmom Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 (edited) and we've had two seniors pass just before a birthday...so I was freaking out that we have some sort of a 'birthday curse' on our hounds or something. Not a curse at all, I've worked in and around nursing homes since i was 10 (volunteering of course at that age). Most people die either around their birthday or a big holiday. Edited to add: I'm glad everything is okay. to you all Edited May 31, 2008 by Janeysmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AussieWilma Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Miss Wilma thinks this calls for even more extra special treats on Champs birthday!! We're glad he is well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hannahmom Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Cuddles to the handsome Grandpa. I'm glad he seems to be doing better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 and we've had two seniors pass just before a birthday...so I was freaking out that we have some sort of a 'birthday curse' on our hounds or something. Not a curse at all, I've worked in and around nursing homes since i was 10 (volunteering of course at that age). Most people die either around their birthday or a big holiday. Edited to add: I'm glad everything is okay. to you all 1) Happy to hear that Grandpa is feeling a bit better this morning, but man, how scary is that? 2) I don't know the stats on when people die RE: holidays and B'days but my mom was killed in a car accident on July 4. Weird correlation. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Janeysmom Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 and we've had two seniors pass just before a birthday...so I was freaking out that we have some sort of a 'birthday curse' on our hounds or something. Not a curse at all, I've worked in and around nursing homes since i was 10 (volunteering of course at that age). Most people die either around their birthday or a big holiday. Edited to add: I'm glad everything is okay. to you all 1) Happy to hear that Grandpa is feeling a bit better this morning, but man, how scary is that? 2) I don't know the stats on when people die RE: holidays and B'days but my mom was killed in a car accident on July 4. Weird correlation. I'm so sorry Robin. This must be a tough time of year for you. We lost my Aunt between Thanksgiving and Christmas two years ago. She was always the life of the party on those holidays, and as the Matriarc of our family was usually the host. Holidays haven't been the same for us since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LynnM Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Geez... what is it with these geezers scaring the crap out of us!? I'm glad he's feeling better. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greypack Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Here is a curious thought- has anyone ever had luck treating vestibular disorders with a holistic vet/ manipulation? I'm asking because a few months back, in one of my classes, one of my professors said that people are often misdiagnosed with an inner ear infection upon complaint of dizziness. He said that simple manipulation can often cure the problem. We haven't learned yet what exactly he was talking about, but it stuck in my head out of curiosity. There are quite a few potential causes of dizziness in people, and dogs as well I'm sure. Also, a 14 year old dog may be too fragile for many types of manipulation. But when I read this post, I remembered what my professor said, and I was curious to see if anyone here had experienced this. That said, years back, my greatgrandfather fell more than once due to a dizzy spell. It usually happened after he stood up too quickly. His doctor at the time just cautioned him to stay hydrated and to be cautious and slow when moving about. That doc also attributed it to a common symptom of old age, and my grandpa's conscious effort to be careful ended up being enough. how frightening, poor guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytbookert Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Oh Heather, I know how scary that is! Unfortunately, I have a superstition/fear about the 14th birthday as well, so trust me, I know how you feel! I'm so glad that Grandpa is doing better this morning. I swear these oldies but goodies can really make your heart skip a beat, in more ways than one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Winterwish Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm glad Grandpa seems to be feeling better and even 'serenading' you this morning! Good boy Champ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnnyBell Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Glad he's doing better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigPercyInMa Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Glad to hear Grandpa is doing better today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Thanks for the good wishes everyone! Pam and the others whose dogs have gone through the same thing know how scary it it! I've seen a seizure, I've seen a dog with a stroke...this was definitely different, which made for a (scary) learning experience. Here is a curious thought- has anyone ever had luck treating vestibular disorders with a holistic vet/ manipulation? I'm asking because a few months back, in one of my classes, one of my professors said that people are often misdiagnosed with an inner ear infection upon complaint of dizziness. He said that simple manipulation can often cure the problem. We haven't learned yet what exactly he was talking about, but it stuck in my head out of curiosity. That is interesting...Other than an OTC med for nausea, the vet said the other common treatment would be antibiotics and steroids. Grandpa can't take steroids so that option is out. I'd definitely be in favor of looking for an alternative treatment for him if he seems to be having a continuous problem with it. So far this was his first episode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 So glad he is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliWest Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm so glad he is better. I know exactly how he feels. I had shingles in my left inner ear and had dizziness, nausea and vomiting for almost 2 months. So give the old guy a kiss from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirocco_Nikki Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I am glad to hear that Grandpa is feeling better. I hope Poodle is doing better too. Quote Drake - Fortified Power x Cajun Oriel Janney - Ronco x Sol Happy Waiting at the bridge: Sirocco - (Reko Sirocco) - Trojan Episode x Reko Princess; Nikki - (MPS Sharai) - Devilish Episode x MPS Daisy Queen;Yukon - (Yak Back) - Epic Prince x Barts Cinnamon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 oh how scary...so glad he is feeling better Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 ACK!! How scary!! Glad Grandpa felt well enough to get you *up and at 'em* bright and early this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyGreys Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 How scary! Glad he's feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 So happy Grandpa is doing better. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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