Hi all

My 14 year old Maremma collapsed on Friday unable to support himself - each time he tried to get up he fell over. His head was tilted and his eyes rolling and he was sick. We thought he had had a stroke. The vet came out and diagnosed vestibular syndrome, which should be recoverable, gave him vivitonin + some homeopathic remedies and said to give him 72 hours. He has certainly improved in himself - less confused, sickness has cleared up and his eyes are no longer rolling. He has had a couple of times where he has been able to get up and walk (well stumble!) unaided. But over the last 24 hours his use of his legs has deteriorated again - last night he was unable to stand unsupported and this morning I can't persuade him to try to get up at all. I am concerned that he is not going to recover sufficient leg movement to be able to manage - he was very weak in his back end before this with arthritis. My vet is away until Monday - I have a telephone consultation this afternoon with another vet at the practice (Bruno weighs 40 kg+ so I can't get him to the surgery easily in this state) - but I was wondering if anyone had experience of this syndrome in a dog who was already arthritic and of this age (most of what I can find on the web is about younger dogs who were fit to start with). I want to give him every chance if he just needs more time and can't bear the thought of putting him to sleep when he is still so well in himself - but he is clearly distressed when he tries to move and when he can't get outside to toilet and I don't want him to suffer. Any thoughts would be welcomed.

Janet

Hi Janet ...I know nothing about VS ..but looking at the SEARCH pages on Champdogs I found [link http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?tid=19231&hilite=Vestibular%20syndrome%20#136834]VS Thread[/link] old thread and also [link http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?tid=8812&hilite=Vestibular%20syndrome%20#48804]2nd VS Thread[/link]

Hopefully they may be of some help?

Melody :)

Hi becketts
Sorry to read about your dog...I have just posted a reply further down the board to libtech3.
Mine was getting arthritic before her VS .....the Vivitonin seems to have sorted her out.(She also had a heart murmur when she had VS.)
I'd try massaging his legs and lots of TLC.....poor old boy is probably scared of wobbling about. Don't give up...sounds like you have a good vet.

There's loads of info on Vestibular Syndrome on the net. Read as much as you can, and it won't feel so scary. In the last 20 years I have had 3 dogs with VS. They all recovered from it. ( 2 died from other things, non related to VS, some years after.)

Let us know how he is getting on.....good luck

Sam

Thanks Melody and Sam

Bruno finally got up at 4.30 this afternoon - he managed to get up with help and went outside. He is still very wobbly (and at one point fell over in spite of me trying to support him) but at least he was moving! The vet has prescribed a new homeopathic remedy for his weak back end as that seems to be the main problem now - his front is very strong and he is used to pulling from the front and using his back legs really just for balance - which of course they are not good at now. He is still on vivitonin as well. I will try the massage idea - and of course the TLC!Keeping everything crossed!

Janet

When my old Mandy lost the use of her rear legs I used to pass a towell under her and by holding both ends I could take some of her weight. That way she was able to walk and I could gradually give her more to do. Unfortunately Mandy was just too badly affected and never got over it.

Best wishes, John

Hi Janet
Glad to hear that Bruno is feeling a bit better. Tell him we are all keeping fingers and paws crossed for his speedy recovery!

Take care

Sam