Good thoughts and insight for Cookie please (vestibular or stroke)

[Berna]

Hello everyone,

It seems that old boy Cookie had a stroke (or vestibular) at around 3 pm today. This morning before I went to work he was fine, we went for a swim at the lake. My parents reported that at around 3 pm while Cookie was sleeping, they noticed his eye sligtly open with weird movements. After a couple of minutes his eyes went crazy. When I came back home at around 4:30, his eyes were still moving quickly. By the time I got him to the the vet around 5 pm, eye movements were a bit slower, but noticeable. However he cannot stand on his own and it seems like he forgot how to use his legs. His movements are completely uncoordinated.

Vet gave him an injection of corticosteroids and told me to call him tomorrow and see how Cookie is doing.

The good news is his appetite is still as it should be and he devoured his dinner.

Does anyone have experience with vestibular/stroke? Any suggestions? What to expect and hope for? Cookie is 11 days shy of his 16th birthday.

[Black Labbies]

Oh no . Sorry to read that Cookie isn't doing well . Love and hug him more than usual...

We have experience with strokes and Opal. The rapid eye movement is a clear sign of a stroke, as told to us by the ER vet. Opal's rapid eye movement lasted just over a week after her first stroke. She also lost use of her legs, but regained that quickly, however, after her 2nd cluster of strokes, she couldn't walk anymore. She also didn't lose her appetite. We were in constant contact with her vet, but after 4 days of no improvement, sadly, we had to say good-bye to her. We did our very best for Opal and I know that you're doing the same for Cookie!

I want to wish Cookie an early Happy 16th Birthday!!

Love and hugs to you both!!

[zd262]

No experience, but just wanted to send good thoughts and early birthday wishes to Cookie. I know you're doing everything you can for him.

[barry581]

Prayers set for Cookie. That poor guy has been through so much, I can only feel that he is a survivor. I hope he's still got enough spirit to get through this, and I know he still has joy to spread.

[smartrock]

I'm sending best wishes for Cookie to show improvement. I have no experience with vestibular disease or stroke in a dog to share. We know you're doing everything possible for your sweet boy.

[ccetta]

Sorry no experience with this but sending prayers for Cookie, hope he improves. Poor boy, he has been through so much but I know you're doing everything you can for him.

[MightyThor]

Hey Cookie. You know we are all rooting for you and send all the lab board love your way. We know how much of a fighter you are and how you have the best most loving mom any dog could ask for. Hang in there buddy!

[Snowshoe]

That does sound like what was diagnosed as Vestibular Disease in my sister's dog. Laddie was at his Grandma's, but awake, when she noticed the eyes, typical in VD. When Sis got home from work it was straight to the Vet. Sis's Vet also said it can be hard to tell from stroke or ear infection but he decided on VD. Laddie could not stand for a month and Sis wrecked her back lifting him to carry him outside to bathroom. He did have his appetite but, an English Shepherd, he never ate much anyway. As the Vet predicted, recovery was a month later when Laddie simply stood up and walked again. He retained a bit of head tilt, which lessened over the next four years, from Laddie's age 12 to +16. Lots and lots of good thoughts for you and Cookie.

[Berna]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your kind words.

Cookie is doing much better today, he can stand and he can walk on his own (still a bit wobbly but it's a huge improvement from yesterday where it seemed he had no idea he had legs and what those are for). Vet wanted to give him one more injection of steroids so we did that. For now he seems to be recovering fast and I hope it continues and that he'll make a full recovery.

Cookie wags his tail to you and wonders when is dinner going to be ready.

[Jollymolly]

Im so relieved to hear Cookie is doing better today. Sending mojo hope his improvement continues.