animalsfarmHad to rush poor Allie to the vet today, as she started acting all weird and we thought she might be having a seizure. Turns out it's vertigo. Aside from the meds, does anyone have any advice for dealing with an old dog with #Vertigo?
This Account Kills Fascists@animalsfarm We had a dog that was misdiagnosed with vertigo but it turned out to be some kind of vestibular thing, and he didn't live long enough to be off the meds long enough to have proper diagnostics.
If I were you I *may* look for a second opinion. I'm saying this without knowing a damn thing about this, so please take this as a loving suggestion as it's meant to be <3
@violenteastcoastcity how did you find out? is there any way of telling? we only have one vet in town. If we had to go to the vet hospital we would have had to travel on two roads that were both shut down today due to the snow...
Kernel Bob 
@animalsfarm @violenteastcoastcity Our dog went through this in November. (He's recovering slowly.) This is what I remember. I am just parroting words I heard; this is no substitute for a real vet's diagnosis.
"Vertigo" is usually either infection in the middle ear/semicircular canals or indication of a brain injury, stroke or tumor. The older the dog, the more likely stroke and tumor are. If the dog responds to anti-nausea meds and antibiotics, it's probably ear infection.
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@animalsfarm @violenteastcoastcity If it's ear infection, the dog will partially/mostly recover over 3 months. Help her by encouraging normal activity. (Ours needed encouragement with stairs, getting into the car, and catching. And runnning, right at first.)
I don't know what the brain injury treatment is; we didn't have to go there.
"Vestibular disease" means middle ears.
Good luck!
@animalsfarm @violenteastcoastcity 3/2
Hypertension means a stroke is more likely. Dogs can get blood pressure tests. You can do an MRI ($$$) to look for tumor or blockage.
@animalsfarm @violenteastcoastcity 4/2
I remembered one more thing. When a dog is suffering vertigo, its eyes dart back and forth. (It's a lot like when you spin around and get dizzy - the eyes can's stay focused.)
if the darting is side to side, it's probably vestibular. If it's up and down, it's probably central nervous system (brain). if it's both, it's inconclusive.
More good luck!
@kbob @violenteastcoastcity her eyes were showing white at the start, but have been normal almost since it started
Marg is grim@animalsfarm lots of treats?
@Margaritak she's not eating much yet but she definitely will get lots soon!!
Tywyll SerenHey I’m a hooman with vertigo. Meds help but I also get my ears cleaned. 🤷🏼♀️ My ears don’t drain right.
Hope the pup gets better soon.
Chloe G artist@animalsfarm Did they say vertigo, or did they say vestibular syndrome? Our dog Barney had it quite bad and for a day or two could only walk in circles and couldn’t jump. The meds they gave him helped and after a week or so he was much improved. We had to just help him about until the dizziness passed, put cushions everywhere so he couldn’t hurt himself. He really couldn’t go out for a few days and sleeping was the best thing. It was very distressing. Hope Allie improves soon. X
@Chloeg sounds exactly the same. shes much improved now, just cant walk yet. definitely vertigo she said
ChookMother 🇦🇺🦘@animalsfarm Can be caused by ear infections (also in humans). Did the vet check her ears?
@anne_twain just got a call this morning, she's free of infection! That was my first thought though, and now I don't know what caused it. Vet says too much rolling around in the snow
svoop ✊@animalsfarm Our late Oggy was hit by a variant of vestibular syndrome when he turned 12. It looked very scary, almost like a stroke, but a quick research pointed us to the right diagnose which was confirmed by the ER vet the same day. The eyes rapidly scanning from side to side was the most defining symptom. There are meds for this and it almost always wears off within days and weeks with little to no permanent effects. But our vet recommended us to give the meds in a reduced dose... (1/2)
@animalsfarm ...from that day forward to prevent another episode which is somewhat traumatizing for the dog. So we did and it never came back, Oggy peacefully left us a few months ago at age 15 1/2. See you better, Allie! (2/2)
@svoop she's been doing much better since the vet gave her a shot. she still has trouble walking so we have pee pads down, but shes definitely a lot better. good to hear it was only temporary for you, I was wondering how long it would last
Clem Fandango@animalsfarm keep her away from tall buildings
acm@animalsfarm that dog is adorable! (sorry, no advice)
skuaNot a suggestion. But a question.
I (human) got vertigo last night a few times when rolling in bed.
Of course I should have sought medical advice first but I looked up "vertigo" & "manoeuvre" in YT and tried two reps. [yucky details omitted]
Things seem better - though some slight nausea remains.
The question is "Do they use similar manoeuvres for dogs with vertigo?
#Vertigo #Veterinarian #EpleyManoeuver
@skua I think so...Ally here got medication, including anti-vertigo meds, painkillers, and I think an anti'histamine. They blamed it on her being old and rolling on her back in the snow, but they did run a test to see if she had any infection (neg). My uncle had an inner ear problem, which eventually caused bad vertigo. He had to retire early because he couldn't work anymore, but I don't think it's curable in him