Any vets out ther might help with this one. About two months ago, my older dog became virtually unable to walk, overnight. I took her to the vet, X-rays, etc., nothing wrong. We figured old age. She could walk a bit with coaxing. I carried her about, up and downstairs, etc. I didn’t want to let her go. Gradually she has gotten back to, say 60% and can make it up and downstairs by herself, pausing on the landing.
Yesterday I was told that when dogs have strokes it effects them, or can effect them, differently than humans–that it effects their spine, and cuts off blood supply to the nerves, resulting in paralysis, mild to severe, with some recovery possible.
My vet never mentioned this as a possibility. Anybody hear of this? Maybe some medication, like a blood thinner, etc?
Be very careful and don’t let them suffer too long. Sadly, my dog had arthritis later in life and had a hard time getting around. One day I was out for a couple hours, he fell asleep in the sun and couldn’t get up and got heat stroke. As much as I loved him I wonder if maybe I kept him too long.
Dogs don’t particularly have “strokes”, per se. My guess is that your dog was afflicted with geriatric vestibular disease. Happens suddenly, one minute the dog is fine and the next he/she cannot walk, usually has a head tilt, nystagmus, may not want to eat, may be vomiting. Dogs usually recover from this, at least partially.
Another possibility that no one wants to hear is that your dog may have cancer: intracranial, spinal, etc.
Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions.
Dogs don’t particularly have “strokes”, per se. My guess is that your dog was afflicted with geriatric vestibular disease. Happens suddenly, one minute the dog is fine and the next he/she cannot walk, usually has a head tilt, nystagmus, may not want to eat, may be vomiting. Dogs usually recover from this, at least partially.
Another possibility that no one wants to hear is that your dog may have cancer: intracranial, spinal, etc.
Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions.
Thank you. GVD was not mentioned either at the vet. I was concerned about cancer, but nothing on X-rays, but they probably only show gross cancer masses. I did check out GVD on the net, and I see it is sometimes referred to as “canine stroke”, because the effects are similar. She is 13, and sooner or later something gets all of us. My groomer, whos specializes in this breed (standard poodle) and breeds and shows them, says none of her grooming clients have SP’s over that age.
You just gotta love 'em while you got 'em. She survived “twist” about 5-6 years ago, so this is all bonus time. I have another SP about 5 years old, but, honestly, the attachment has never been the same, or with any pet. Her personality is such that you kind of forget she is a dog–pets are always “family members” in a sense, but Katrina has always been in a special class. Quiet, unassuming, never obnoxious–but don’t leave a sandwich on the counter.
She sounds like a wonderful dog! Is she on any medication? At her age, a little anti-inflammatory might help her out a little. I don’t think I have ever seen a Standard that old; it’s a testament to your good care.
You deal with “last days” quite a bit I am sure. I do estate work, so I do as well. You get a little philosophical about it. Thanks for kind words and suggestion.
Not a vet, and no real words of advice other than to offer my support. 13 years old is a beyond-expectations run for a large breed dog–she must be a tough girl, and you a good dad
You may want to check into Canine Vestibular Syndrome. I just went through this with my 13.5yr old lab. Came home she couldn’t stand or hold her balance, drooling all over herself, scared and shaking. I rushed her to the vet, had to carry her in to the office.
The vet looked her over and said that she had vestibular syndrome, which is a temporary inner ear, nervous system problem that causes the dogs eyes to constantly twitch. Twitching can be horizontal, veritical, or circular. What this does is takes the dogs balance away, the drooling is part of the nausia associated with being dizzy. The vet told me is like the dog is very drunk.
They don’t know what causes the syndrome and there is no cure but time. Usually 3-5 days they should be doing better and may have a slight head tilt for up to 3 weeks. I had to keep her confined to a small area for 3 days so she wouldn’t hurt herself, try to give her lots of water to prevent dehydration.
As of now she is almost fully recovered, and back to her old self. A really good head shake can sometimes still cause her to lose it but not a big deal.
You may want to ask your vet about this and can google it to gain a little more info. Hopefully this is what your pooch is experiencing.
Yes, as TXVET mentioned above, this is a possibility. SHe has been left with permanent weakness in her hindquarters. I never saw the eye issues or vomiting, but everything else squares up. Thanks.
Tik, I’m glad your dog responded. Our lab never recovered from vestibular syndrome and, after 3 weeks, we ended up having to put her down as per the advice of our vet. To this day I still wonder if we acted too hastily but we hated to see her suffer. It was the toughest decision I have ever made and as I said I am still haunted by it.
Thank you, Pets are tough but such a joy to have. Mine named Tikka has been with me since she was about 2hrs old.
I thought for sure that having to carry all 83lbs into the vet was the last time I was going to see her.
From what I learned if your pooch didn’t start to recover in 2-3 days then you did the right thing.
