I am hoping someone here may have come across this before. I have a 5 year old lab bitch. About 2 years ago, she suddenly started falling all over the place, was totally inco-ordinated and her legs just kept going from under her. It came on within a second, one moment normal, the next like this. When she was still, her head seemed to be swaying a bit from side to side. We took her straight to the vet,s who kept her in overnight and put her on iv fluids, she was uneventful with them overnight and came home fine the next morning. There was no diagnosis made, but we put it down to something she could have picked up and eaten in the park. Anyway, she was fine after that- until 2 days ago, when the same thing happened. This time it wasn't so severe, it didn't affect her head movements, but her limbs once again were all over the place and she was obviously very scared. I was straight on the phone again to the out of hours vet, but by the time we had put our coats on and her lead on, she seemed to be back to normal. The vet did a thorough neuro exam, and all was normal. She couldn't find a thing wrong. I am totally mystified by this- and very scared. All the vet mentioned was the possibility of epilepsy, but it didn't look remotely like a siezure to me. What do you all think?

It does sound as if it may be lack of blood reaching the brain, did you notice her eyes and if they looked "different" - the condition I am thinking of is often called a stroke, even by vets, although it is not one. It is common for the head to be held on one side but like most things connected with the brain it does differ a good deal from case to case. If it is this it can be treated.

Had she been excercising prior to these episodes?

Thanks for replies. No, she hadn't been exercising at all, just mooching around the house doing nothing in particular.

i have experienced similar symptoms, has she been on any medication as rimadyl can cause  the same symptoms,ataxia, lack of coordination, staggering, etc  ear problems can also effect balance.

Hi, thanks for reply. She is not on any meds at all, but she did have all her yearly vaccinations 4 days prior, but I am sure that would have nothing to do with it. To be honest, I am wondering if it could be some unusual form of epilepsy, even though these episodes don't look at all like fits. I am going to make an appointment to discuss it with our senior vet who is the "dog man" at the practice, just to see what he thinks.