13 yr Max having trouble

Earlier this month we took him to the vet because he couldn't stand, wouldn't eat. Vet took a look at him, and said it was imbalance. They did some blood work, but all came out fine. Looked into his eyes and they were bright and fine. Looked in his ears and found a little yeast. So they gave him some anti inflammatory steroid pills and an ear ointment. He was looking great! He finished the pills Monday, and last night I noticed he was having trouble standing straight and didn't eat his dinner. This morning and all through the day it seems to be getting worse. I called the vet and he wants to switch his meds because what he was taking was a steroid. I notice one of his eyes is red, and he completely leans on his right side. His eyes also seem to not quite focus, they don't stay still, its almost as if he is dizzy... He has had a lot of ear trouble throughout his life. :(

We are using a turkey baster to give him water because he won't get up. I gave him a hard boiled egg, and he has kept that down. I tried can food but he didn't want it.

Some of this, especially

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His eyes also seem to not quite focus, they don't stay still, its almost as if he is dizzy.

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sounds like Vestibular Disease. The not being able to stand part too. My sister's dog had it for a month. For a month he could not stand at all, then, just as her Vet said, it stopped and he could stand. Google this up and ask your Vet. He did retain some head tilt but it gradually diminshed. Dogs are just like us, they can have different things at the same time and it can be really hard to say which symptom is caused by what ailment. The inappetance is typical too, but associated with lots of things.

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Originally Posted by Snowshoe

Some of this, especially sounds like Vestibular Disease.

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That is what the vet thought when he first saw him, but then all the lab work came out fine. He is drooling so, I'm trying to keep him hydrated, we have been carrying him out for some quick breaks. Super hard to see him this way.

What kind of lab work was done? Laddie's illness was 12 years ago so perhaps things have changed but then there were no blood tests or anything and Vets didn't do the eye and hearing tests that are done on people to determine this. At the time it was kind of the diagnosis after other things had been ruled out.

I'm sorry that Max is going through this. It's hard to see them in distress.

Years ago we had a Pug who developed Vestibular Disease with symptoms similar to your Max's. She'd had ear infections all her life, too. I don't remember there being any blood test for it at that time--in our case, it was more like "let's try this antibiotic for awhile, etc., let's try that......" Little Tawny's symptoms were quite extreme, & unfortunately in her case, permanent. She had a long, slow downhill slide, but hopefully your Max will get better & not have any more trouble. Tawny developed this at age 11, but lived to be 15. Sending along lots of positive thoughts & prayers for Max! Please keep us posted!

They did a total profile. IDK, if that would have let them know if he had the vestibular disease, but i guess they wanted to rule out anything else.

To sorry about Max. It's so hard to see them struggle and not be able to figure out what's going on. Have had to experience with vestibular disease, luckily, because I home seniors.Sending good thoughts.

I don't think blood work would show vestibular disease but could be used to make sure nothing else is going on with his liver or kidneys and hopefully he was tested for tick diseases. His eyes not holding still does sound like it could be vestibular. I hope you all figure it out.

Vestibular Disease in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital

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Originally Posted by smartrock

I don't think blood work would show vestibular disease but could be used to make sure nothing else is going on with his liver or kidneys and hopefully he was tested for tick diseases. His eyes not holding still does sound like it could be vestibular. I hope you all figure it out.

Vestibular Disease in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital

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This is what I am thinking, too. Jolie had vestibular and they said the side-to-side eye motion was pretty diagnostic along with her other symptoms. They didn’t run any bloodwork. in her case, they gave her some IV Dramamine (motion sickness drug) and she was pretty much better the next day, but it usually does take longer than that to go away.

He is not any better today. Maybe a little worse. We are just keeping him as comfortable as possible. He did eat another hard boiled egg and some ham pieces. They kind of roll out of his mouth, so it's taking him a bit to eat them, but he is getting them down. I'm still giving him water with the turkey baster. He is lying down completely on his right side and his only movement is to crawl in circles. He did wag his tail at me this morning, but really hasn't since. He seems comfortable especially when I go lay next to him and put his snout on my lap.

Oh, gosh...I'm sorry. I have nothing but good thoughts for Max getting better. Not really knowing what's going on...or how to fix it....really makes us feel helpless. :image019:

sending good thoughts that he bounces back :(

Gosh, you must feel so helpless. I hope you find an answer and he's able to get back to his usual.

Attachment 6719I notice when he blinks only his left lid closes. His right eye doesn't seem to be moving. :(

His eye can be damaged if he doesn't blink it to distribute tears. Can you phone your Vet to ask about putting ointment on it? Or covering it? Or phone an E-vet? Does anyone else here know what to do about not blinking?

He looks so sad. Like Laddie. Laddie's Vet said it's very frightening for them. Even if it isn't VD.

Attachment 6719I notice when he blinks only his left lid closes. His right eye doesn't seem to be moving. :(

I have Neo Poly Dex Ointment that was prescribed for another dog last week. At this point I don't think it will hurt for me to apply it to his eye.

Saline eye drops or artificial tears may be safe. Poor guy.

Dog Eye Problems Eye Drops for Dogs | petMD

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Originally Posted by luvleeloo

I have Neo Poly Dex Ointment that was prescribed for another dog last week. At this point I don't think it will hurt for me to apply it to his eye.

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Might help make his eye more comfortable. At least it's dog ointment.

My husband and I took turns all night staying by his side, because we didn't believe he would make it through. He made it through the night and we took him to the Vet this morning. Since he had already been treated for vestibular disease and the medication didn't work, the Vet believed it was a tumor by his brain causing the neurological issues. His body has so many tumors and in the past 4 years every time he goes under sedation for teeth cleaning, they have also been removing tumors.

The hardest decision, but the vet recommended euthanization. There was no better solution for him, and we couldn't bare to see him in any pain and so uncomfortable.

Very sorry for your loss.

Oh no. I'm so sorry.

I am so sorry :( Glad you were able to be with all at least, but heartbreaking regardless

Oh, I've been thinking of you all all day. I'm so sorry for the outcome but you were all together and you know he's no longer in any distress. Hugs to you and your husband, it's such a hard decision even when it's the right one.

I'm so sorry. I was hoping to see a happier update. :(

Very sorry for your loss.

Oh, no, I'm so very, very sorry for the loss of your precious boy......Run with the wind, Max!

I'm very sorry to hear about Max. Many hugs to you and your husband.

So sorry to read this. Run pain free Max!


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