Our dog Buddy seems to be NO LONGER in trouble - Buddy is better! (see my newest reply)

[NRaleighLiberal]

Last edited Tue Aug 13, 2013, 06:20 PM - Edit history (2)

Buddy is the handsome fellow on the right (Mocha is on the left)



Buddy is 11 1/2 and the only thing unusual we've noticed is that he's become over the last month a "traveling pooper" - doesn't stay in one place, kind of walks and goes a bit....but walking hasn't been a problem.

This morning he was wobbly on his back legs going down the stairs - kind of like he was drunk and staggering. He actually went out and ate, but I took him to the vet - they didn't find anything, saying it could be arthritis and to start giving him glucosamine.

He got worse throughout the day - we took a short walk, and he was slightly unsteady - tonight, he got up from a nap - couldn't support himself well, panicked, especially on our tile floor - he has a scared look in his eyes. We don't know if it a neurological thing, his spine, nerves, a tumor, something temporary - but to suddenly have trouble walking like that - pretty scary.

Anyway - keep Buddy in your thoughts - he is a rescue dog, came into our life looking like a mess when our family was a mess getting through an issue my daughter was dealing with that had her a mess. somehow, though the years, the various messes cleared, and Buddy has been a delight for us, always puppy-like, happy, and loving.

He's too young, it's too soon....hoping he wakes up tomorrow better....but I think another trip to the Vet is most likely to occur and hopefully we will get to the bottom of his rather alarming (for us and him - and, interestingly, for our three cats and other dog - they are all acting as if something unusual is going on) predicament.



Well, back from the vet. The current thinking is vestibular disease (based upon a pretty thorough exam) - tomorrow we start prednisone and he is also on a type of anti-nausea medicine (forgot the name, but the same kind of thing they give you before flying)...we shall see. It would be better news than some of the more dire things it could be, found while googling....

So, thanks everyone, for your wishes, thoughts, kind words and concerns. I will update this again if/when anything changes.

[elleng]

1. BEST VIBES to Buddy and you all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Walk away]

2. If you have a specialist Vets office near by it might be more...

expeditious to make an appointment with a neurologist. Keep your chin up Buddy!

[snappyturtle]

3. Sending good vibes....beautiful dogs! Keep us posted!

One for you and one for Buddy.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Nothing but the best of thoughts to Buddy and all who love him.

Our old Border Collie has been a "traveling pooper" for about a year. At the same time her life long bouts with impacted anal glands has gotten more frequent, so there is definitely a connection there. She's arthritic and takes glucosamine and chondroitin to good effect. She is also on Rimadyl which is pricey but quite effective. In my view, the dog is worth it as she's quite special. She's the dog who makes people who are wary of dogs like dogs.

She recently had a period of confusion and seeming difficulty walking, perhaps as you describe with Buddy. A trip to the vet turned up nothing as she walked in like a puppy. She's been great of late, but who knows. She's clearly a geriatric dog.

[bluedigger]

5. I hope Buddy gets better soon.

Keep us posted.

[MuseRider]

6. Sending your family good vibes.

Our old lab is slowly beginning to have geriatric problems. It is hard to watch. I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. Hoping for good news. for Buddy.

[jtuck004]

7. Did they do any x-rays, blood work, etc.,or just feel and manipulate? n/t

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. felt and manipulated - decided against Xrays with the morning symptoms (mild)

We did some internet research - so many possibilities, and the most dire (name escapes me) is only confirmed by eliminating everything else.

we will see what tomorrow brings...

thanks...

[jtuck004]

9. Yeah, sounds like you and they did about what would be expected. But the rest does

point toward maybe a little bit more of a workup, just to get a better idea of what you are dealing with.

Having had many over the years, all rescues, and all in varying states of health, we have been there more than once.

And just so you know, we have had more than one with similar kinds of symptoms, stayed with us for years. I think it's more scary for us at first, but they really do take a lot of this stuff in stride, probably better than we do.

All you can do is love 'em and take care of 'em, and let them take care of you as they do, eh?

Give them both a belly rub from me...

[Triana]

10. Poor Buddy. I hope he's OK! Maybe try a second vet, too.

Animals can sense when something's wrong - they know their friend is having problems. Good luck with Buddy! Hope he gets it all straightened out.

[Mojorabbit]

11. Sending out the good Mojo! nt

[intheflow]

12. Sending you an Buddy deep prayers tonight.

This is so scary for both of you. May tomorrow bring more some peace and understanding, to you.

[KC]

13. Sending Buddy

good thoughts and hoping he feels better
soon. It sorta sounds like hip dysplasia to me. I had a German Shepherd mix and she
developed it in her later years.
Buddy will probably need an X-ray to see though.

[TorchTheWitch]

14. This sounds very much like the symptoms of Lymes Disease

Ask the vet to check for that. It's a simple blood test and can get the results right away. Even with tic preventative and the Lyme disease preventative shot they can still get it though with both it's far less likely. If it's Lyme, all Buddy would need is antibiotics though at his age he might have lingering arthritis-like symptoms.

I'm not saying it's definitely Lyme, but it sure sounds like it. I actually hope that's what it is seeing that it's simple to both diagnose and treat.

Good luck in finding out what's wrong with Buddy and hoping it's something simple and treatable.

[meti57b]

15. May Buddy have a full and speedy recovery!

[CitizenLeft]

16. poor baby, I'm so sorry

Praying that it's something treatable and that he has a quick recovery. for you all.

[Phentex]

17. What beautiful dogs!

Hope he's okay.

[NRaleighLiberal]

18. I updated the OP toward the end with the results of our Vet visit today...

[jtuck004]

19. Thank you for the update, I was about to ask...

Sounds fairly manageable. Hope this works out for him.

Was he itching at one or both ears as one of the symptoms? Just curious - may not have if it didn't inflame the outer ear.

And you sound better too

[NRaleighLiberal]

20. well, now we have a new concern - he just vomited and has diarrhea -

don't know if it is just the dizziness, or the medicine, or.....I think we have a way to go before this whole thing is resolved - he is one big unhappy camper at the moment...

[jtuck004]

21. When one of our dogs has diarrhea, I switch their diet to plain rice with a little canned chicken.

Easier on their stomach. I keep them on that until the problem diminishes, and then gradually re-introduce their food by 1/2 cup or so over a couple days.

It could very well be the inner ear issue. That is incredibly disorienting, and can easily induce nausea, though those go along with a few other things as well.

He still has a good appetite, and tries to get around a bit it sounds like?

Have you called your vet with your new concerns? Shouldn't be a problem for them. Blood work, if they did it, could take a bit of time to get back.

Too, Buddy just got his medication, so perhaps it needs a bit of time to work...you could call and ask if this is what you should expect. I'm not even close to being a vet, but everything you have mentioned is symptomatic of vestibular disease, according to what I've now read.

Many vets know their clients are cost conscious, so they often start out with less of a diagnostic array, and treat the most likely things, since that is usually the problem, and it's easier on pets and people.

A lot depends on the assessment, and barring anything like a suggestion that he ate something really bad for him, or a test that might point to something else, this sounds about like what one might expect, at least from this far away.

Let us know...

[IrishAyes]

22. Buddy was indeed an angel who brought healing to your family

You're all in my prayers for the very best outcome.

[LiberalEsto]

23. Best wishes to you and Buddy

I wonder if dogs can drink ginger tea. I've used it for vertigo, and many people take ginger capsules for motion sickness. But I'd ask the vet if it's safe.
It might also settle the dog's stomach.

[NRaleighLiberal]

24. Whether it is the steroids, passing of some time, or what - Buddy is back to 95%!

So happy to return from my FL trip to find Buddy in the car, wagging his tail, jumping around upon returning home, barking for his dinner, chasing the cats!

Yay!

[jtuck004]

25. Great! That leads more credence to the inner-ear issue.

But I have it on good authority that such an occurrence requires the administration of pieces of steak or chicken, followed by a rubbing motion around the area of the belly.

My dogs tell me that is necessary for the best outcome...

[Hoyt]

26. Great news.

[Auntie Bush]

27. Looks like everyone's good wishes and healing vibs did a good deed.

Glad your doggie is doing so good and nice to hear good news.

[NRaleighLiberal]

28. I am so relieved! Left on my trip with a hobbler, returned to find good ol' nutty Buddy!