ElizabethGPAPS Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 When I got up this morning, my nearly-14 year old Simon is having trouble walking...he's just sort of staggering around. I was thinking maybe he just slept weird and had muscle stiffness and he would walk it off. I helped him outside and he peed/pooped like the little trooper he is (tipped over once while assuming the poo position) then came in and laid on his bed. That's when I noticed that his eyes are moving back and forth, back and forth, rythmic and constant. The reason he can't walk right is that he's dizzy. I called our wonderful Vet (who's at home today for the holiday) and he says it's most likely Canine Geriatric Vestibular Syndrome, which strikes out of the blue and usually resolves itself just as quickly in about 72 hours. There's no known treatment; "wait and see" is the first step. If it doesn't correct itself, then various testing for what else it might be is next, but 90% of the time it's the idiopathic syndrome. I guess it's an inner ear thing. Simon ate his breakfast just fine, dizzy and all. A good sign. We could sure use some prayers and positive thoughts - Simon's going to have a tough weekend. I can already see him learning to compensate for the dizziness and walk in a straighter line just in the past 2 hours, though (aren't they amazing?). I know he'll be fine. I would appreciate hearing about any experiences anyone has had with this, too. Quote Rugrat's Rebel (Simon) 09/03/1995-03/22/2010, Silly Savannah 05/14/1995-02/13/2009, Isabella de Moreau the Sloughi 05/15/1993-10/14/2008, Hammy the IG 06/11/04 and ChiChi the Chihuahua 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest koolaidnconner Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 No experiance sending positive thoughts that Simon will be better in no time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I have no experience with the above, but, in addition to Canine Geriatric Vestibular Syndrome, it could be A LOT of different things at his age. I know it is a holidiay weekend and all, but if this keeps up, I might recommend taking him to the E-vets. Good Luck, and lots of prayers from here. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Lots of prayers for Simon. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona3 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Our Hobbes experienced this two years ago and it was very frightening to watch until we understood what was happening. We found that after 12 hours he started to do a little better and over the next 4-5 days he progressively got more steady on his feet. He returned to normal within that time period and never seemed to have another episode. The specialist we brought him to gave him a one day prescription for nausea and "sea-sickness" to help with the vertigo as his stomach was sick. Other than that it was just wait and watch as he got better. Good luck with Simon and keep us posted on how he is feeling. Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 hope Simon starts to feel better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytbookert Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I don't have any experiences but wanted to send prayers for you and Simon! I love the seniors but watching them age can be so hard! Gentle hugs to Simon from our old brindley crew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greensleeves Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Gracie had an episode of this in March (she was not quite 8 at the time, so hardly "geriatric!"). She actually recovered within a couple of hours, which I guess is really rare (but possible!). We had a full blood panel and physical done on her, but there was nothing to see. Knock wood, but it hasn't happened again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TurnerMiller01 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 oh no... poor simon... praying that this passes very quickly and is back to normal very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Poor Simon! Sending prayers that your special boy feels better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MonsterMomma Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Annie, my 14 year old lab, has recurring episodes of geriatric vestibular syndrome lasting from 3-5 days. She's had at least four bouts in the last year and although she recovers from the acute phase, she has lingering balance problems and can no longer navigate stairs. She also seems to have lost most of her hearing. On the positive side, she's no longer freaked out by thunderstorms and fireworks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethGPAPS Posted July 4, 2009 Author Share Posted July 4, 2009 Thank you all for your prayers! Simon is much better - his gaze is now steady and he's trotting around like normal. Whew! Quote Rugrat's Rebel (Simon) 09/03/1995-03/22/2010, Silly Savannah 05/14/1995-02/13/2009, Isabella de Moreau the Sloughi 05/15/1993-10/14/2008, Hammy the IG 06/11/04 and ChiChi the Chihuahua 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I've taken care of several dogs with Canine Geriatric Vestibular Syndrome. It is very unsettling for you to see Simon this way I am sure Sounds like your vet has already given you the info and what to do about it which is wait and see. Don't worry about Simon he is in no pain. Just needs a little help getting around while he is tipsy. If you haven't already I would block off any stairs. We'll be watching for updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndysMom Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 We went through this years ago with a 14-year-old toy fox terrier (at least 8 years ago). Our vet put her on antibiotics and steroids after spending the night in the hospital with IV fluids, etc. She recovered after a week or so but we had to keep her quiet. The vet recommended keeping her in a dimmly li ght room for a couple of days and urged us NOT to carry her anywhere because she had lost her equilibrium and lifting her made her even more dizzy since she couldn't tell up from down. For several days, we fed her by hand and had to hold her up while she peed and did her business. The head tilt and nystagmus (rhythmic eye movements) went away in about a week. She lived another year or two after that episode. Good luck! Lois Quote Mom to Palm City Roxie ("Roxie"). Remembering Heizer Jordan ("Jordan"), DB's PickedtoWin ("Andy"), CB Ectasy ("Ecstasy"), Oshkosh Unafraid ("Tribute"), Arathorn, WV's Imperial ("Abby") and her brother WV's Institute ("Mojo") and KB's Gameboy ("Game Boy"), who've all gone to the Bridge. Working with Austin Greyhound Adoption <austingreyhounds.org>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Our boy Grandpa, now at the Bridge, had an episode...scared the sh*t out of me! He jumped up from dozing and started staggering around...bumped into the wall twice before we got to him. I thought he was having a stroke or something. He was markedly better in 36-48 hours. We ended up at the e-vet b/c I'd never seen anything like it and the vet gave us some anti-nausea meds in case Grandpa didn't feel like eating. Not much you can do except wait it out. As suggested above, I would block of stairs if you haven't already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreytfulJack Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 So glad he's feeling better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tydyelady Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Elizabeth, first of all, glad to hear Simon is better. Our lab mix LaTanya, the dog we had before Opie, had one of these episodes and at the time I had no idea what it was.She was probably 14 or 15 at the time. We rushed to an emergency vet (of course this happened after office hours) and that was the diagnosis. She was given some fluids, I think, and then we had the option of leaving her overnight, or taking her home, and we took her home. By the next morning she was much better, and within a day or so all the symptoms were gone. She never had another episode after that until she died at almost 17. I know how scary it it, we thought she had a stroke or something. But I am so glad to hear he is improving. Keep feeling better Simon and don't scare you mommy again! Quote Mom to Toley (Astascocita Toley) DOB 1/12/09, and Bridge Angel Opie (Wine Sips Away) 3/14/03-12/29/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Glad to hear he's so much better! :yay Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I'm glad he's feeling better. I went through this with a cat. She was so bad that she couldn't really even walk, and ended up basically falling down a flight of stairs. She was not treated, since time is the only medicine. However, she had to be crated for quite some time because if she climbed up on something and lost her balance... Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tuxsmom Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 so glad simon is doing better !!! i went through this with my cat. she had the idiopathic variety. that was 3 years ago, and she is now at "95%" (my estimation). she gets along fine except if she looks straight up - then she falls over backwards. she also cannot balance on high objects. sending lots of hope that simon ends up 100% after its all said and done ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IrskasMom Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 (edited) I am very glad Simon is doing better . Some more gentle Hugs and Prayers (you can never get enough ) from here Edited July 5, 2009 by IrskasMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyGreys Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 So glad Simon is doing better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest arlosmom Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I am glad Simon has improved. We had a schnauzer who was 15 and she started having this problem. She would litterly fall down and roll on her head in the grass. I can imagine how it would be with a large dog. She did get better fairly quickly but retained a small amount of listing to one side. I believe they did give her a shot of steroid in the head after the first one at the vet but after that we just helped her to be quiet until it passed and helped her when she had to pee. I hope he will have very few episodes but it is managable. Good luck and many prayers he is standing straight soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Way to go Simon with the speedy recovery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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