Our 11 year old small breed dog woke this morning unable to stand ,we have rushed her to the vets where she seems to have little or no feeling in her paws they just folded under her. She was also crying when handled. I am so upset, the vet said if there is no improvement in 48hours she will have to be put down. She thinks its probably a stroke but wasn't 100%. Does anyone have any experience of anything similar.

Sorry to hear you are both having a bad time of it!
My parents lurcher suffered a stroke a few years back. She was disorientated and was unable to walk. However the vet gave her some meds (no idea what they were called) and within a few days she was back to her old self! Although this time she was a prolific thief! She too was about 11 or 12 years of age and lived a good life for a further 2 years or so afterwards.
Thinking of you at such a traumatic time.

My Cavalier had many strokes over a period of about 4 years until he died aged 15.  He would be unable to stand, would throw up, cry, then settle and just lie quietly looking almost dead. Then all of a sudden, usually every time I picked the phone up to call the vet one last time!, he would jump up and be back to normal again. It happened so many times and there was always a miracle recovery until that very last time. Usually took 6 hours to be able to stand again, 2 days to be back to normal. Sometimes after one he'd walk in circles for a couple of day as well. We always left him alone, locked up in his cage that he slept in, so that he couldn't even try to walk around, as we found the best cure was to rest.

Maybe reading information from the internet may help you, such as this link below.
http://www.dogsymptomscure.com/dog-stroke-symptoms.php
Has you Vet ruled out Canine Vestibular Disease as it can often be confused with a stoke? Again lots of information about this on the internet of which this link below is just one page of information.
http://dachshealth.tripod.com/canine_vestibular_disease.htm

Thanks your all very quick with help. Do any of you have experience of dogs with vesticular disease?

Vestibular syndrome is very common in elderly dogs - it's often mistaken for a stroke but is different in that itinvolves the inner ear and not the brain. It's almost always a temporary disorder and dogs usually make a very good recovery. Actual strokes in dogs are very rare.

it's often mistaken for a stroke but is different in that itinvolves the inner ear and not the brain.

I would agree that it is often mistaken for a stroke but would not agree that it does not involve the brain. Having experienced it several times in elderly dogs if carefully nursed they make a good recovery. However they have never been quite the same dog as before the vestibular attack took place.

What I meant was that a stroke involves brain damage, usually due to a bleed, directly, and vestibular syndrome doesn't. A dog will often be left with a head tilt towards the affected ear but the brain usually functions as normally as it did before.

Ive had an old boxer with very similar symptoms and diagnosed as Vestibular syndrome. It apparently feels (to the dog that is) that it is being spun around so can make them very distressed. They like to be flat on the floor and comforted constantly to minimize the vertigo feelings.
My old girl recovered and had the head tilt which completely disappeared after six months or so.
Shes still with us 2 years on.

Good luck and positive vibes coming your way for your old girl.

Thanks everyone, have just been to visit and she looks so ill. They have got her on the strongest pain killers as se was crying out when they handled her. I took her some chicken in but she didn't even look at it, her head isn't tilted at all it seems to be her legs, her eyes are just glazed over, am so worried that she won't pull through.

Poor little thing, you must be so hurt to see her like that.
Sending all my best wishes.

Fingers crossed for your old girl.

My 17 yr old cat had a stroke earlier in the year, I really thought she'd had it, but she's made an incredible recovery. Keep positive, animals seem to recover from strokes much better than humans do.
Best wishes and positive thoughts for you both

Most vets are adament that dogs do not have strokes, only vestibular attacks. Having lost all but one of my Goldens with strokes, I am convinced that this is what they are, whatever name they are called. My dogs could not get back on their feet afterwards, even though I tried for weeks. My 14 year old has had 2 attacks in the last 4 weeks and she can get on her feet and walk but prefers to do so really fast: she literally launches herself up the garden and can usually remain on her feet that way. The head is still tilted. Straight after one of these strokes you can see a nystagmus, even with the eyes closed as the eyebrows are twitching. Perhaps that is the way to tell if it is a stroke/ vestibular attack. I wish your little one a good recovery.

A friend's old Flatcoat had 3 strokes and apart rom the head tilt and being a bit vague you wouldn't know, she lasted 2 years after the last one.  It looked different (to me anyway) to my 11 year old who had 3 vestibular attacks, she staggered around as if drunk but recovered quite quickly & seemed embarrassed about it. She was as sharp as ever afterwards & went on for another 3 years.

Sending good wishes for your dog.

Anne Mel,
How is she today???
Lea xx

pippi is home but is so poorly i really wonder if she should be. The vet has suggested that she comes home and to see how she goes! They have sent her home on Rimadyl (a pain killer) they now say it is not a stroke, maybe neurological or bone cancer. She can stand for a few seconds but really doesn't want to. She hasn't eaten although we have offered everything. I am devasted she is my baby, the vets don't want seem to want to do too much more at the moment because she is so weak. She was fine sunday it has come on so sudden, she definatly hasn't fallen or had a knock. Please all keep your fingers crossed for her as looking at her at the moment I think i will lose her. X

Thinking of you both tonight. Bless her she doesn't deserve this.

An old frightened dog is probably better off with you than shut in a vet surgery overnight, especially if there is no ongoing treatment.
There can be other dogs barking all night and often no one on duty to comfort her.

You poor thing, I can understand how devastated you must be.

Sending positive vibes for Pippi.  Good Luck.

{{{{  HUGS  }}}}

She seems settled at the moment on the bed with us, we tried to put her in the crate but she got very distressed. Hopefully we may see an improvment in the morning.

My old girl (14 1/2) had a vestibular attack which we thought was a stroke.  We'd got to the stage of pts and she bounded round the vets like a tornado.  The vet said not a stroke as the eye twitching, if you go near the eye it will act differently, this can make them feel sick.  She's still not fully right and it took several weeks for her head to straighten back up.  Handfeeding is a good idea as it can make them feel sick going to the food.  Mine's on Tramadol.  If it is that the vet can give you some tablets to help the blood enter  the ear to clear it up.

I ahve read to give them straight lines to look at to help with the head tilt, like putting their bed facing a doorway or looking down a passage way.  Hth

Pippi is about the same she is drinking when we offer her the bowl but not eating. We have tried Chicken ham porridge and her normal food(Hills I/d cat food!!) She can walk a few steps but is very weak on all her legs but particurly her left side. We are going to see if there is any change over the weekend but if not will have to think if we are being fair to her to keep her going. The vet is unsure what is wrong and is happy just to keep her going on pain killers. I really want her to eat but just dont know what to offer she has a very sensitive stomach normally so have to be careful. If anyone have any ideas please let me know, I am so worried I am going to lose my little one.

the problem often is the longer dogs go without eating the less inclined they are to try. In such circumstances I liquidise freshly cooked chicken and encourage them to lap it up. If that isn't acceptable make it even more liquid and syringe a small quantity very gently into the side of the mouth and be sure it is swallowed properly. Obviously complan and those type of products are ideal but nothing can compare to the smell and taste of freshly cooked meat.

It took Holly a few weeks with lots of encouragement to eat, she felt so poorly, we thought the descision had to be made.  I gave her honey, straight in and mixed in her water.  Gradually her eating picked up and she got some strength back.  The weakness is the same as when we've been poorly.  I've had flu and had weak legs from it.

Give it a little time with liasion with the vet. 

Am going to try the honey, what sort of consitency did you use. She is tiny only weighing 2kgs normally. I am willing to try anything, we are back at the vet on monday and i know he will suggest PTS

Sorry to hear pippi hasn't improved, sending positive thoughts for you both ((((((hugs))))))

We have managed to syringe some Liquidised chicken into pippi which she seemed to love. Her eyes seem a bit brighter today but her walking is very uncoordinated her little legs are very weak. But we are going to keep trying she doesn't appear in any pain and we are have Rimadyl to give her daily. I just wish we knew what was wrong with her.

Hi sorry been really busy.  A teaspoon will be ok or what you scoop on your finger, the same in the water.  It won't hurt if you keep repaeting when you see her.  Honey has an antibiotic property to it and provides some much needed energy.  Coloidial silver is also good to add to the drinkinking water, you can get it from health shops.  Only a small drop is needed as it can be quite powerful.  I use it for bathing eyes as well.

Hope you have some improvement soon. x

Thankyou will give it a try right now, anything is worth a go at this stage.XX

Pippi died in my arms at the vets a while ago. My heart is breaking.

Oh dear, I'm so sorry x

Pippi is at peace now, so sorry for you to have to face this. So many of us understand how you must be feeling.

So sorry Anne, we understand and feel for you x

so sorry, but she is at peace now and without pain. The only pain now is yours, be strong and know we are sending you hugs.

So sorry to hear your sad news.  Sending big hugs xxxx

So sorry to hear this, it's horrible when they go. Try to tell yourself about all the years of joy you had together, and how it was swift when it happened, not a long lingering illness. Run free little Pippi. :-(

So sad to read this may she RIP and be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for you.

I know exactly how you are feeling having lost one of mine a month ago.

So sorry you lost little Pippi , it's so hard , I feel for you .

Run Free at the bridge little one
.

xxxx

so sorry,sending hugs.

RIP little Pippi (((((hug)))))