A friend has a nine month old Border Terrier. A couple of weeks ago he started holding his head to one side and being a little unsteady on his feet. Apart from that he seemed ok, still eating and playing. She took him to the vets who thought it might be an ear infection - although they couldn't see anything. the prescribed antibiotics, this didn't work so she took him back and they gave him different antibiotics. There has been some improvement but not as significant as they would have expected, they are now thinking it could be something neurological! or some kind of stroke. she is of course very worried now. I just wondered if anybody else had any experience of this, in Borders or in any breeds? The dog seems fine in all other respects, shouldn't a stroke have caused more visible effects ie on the eyes or face.Any thoughts would be appreciated.

A head tilt can be one of the sumptoms of hypothuroidism (see www.thyroid-info.com/articles/dog-hypo.htm).

If you do decide to have him tested, be aware that vets are really not that good at reading the info and you may need a specialist to read it for you to absolutely make sure.

Hth
Lindsay
X

Maybe the anti-biotics were not given long enough or were the wrong ones for that problem?  If the condition improved with anti-biotics then it must be an infection, i.e a middle ear infection that DO cause head tilts and unsteadiness.  AB's would not improve a stroke ytpe scenario.
Dawn.

Thanks for your replies, i have passed these on to my friend. i think she feels like her vet is pushing her into having tests on the dog which in the end will not make any difference! she is now going to seek an opinion from another vet.

Good idea!
Dawn.

For goodness' sake, if the middle ear is involved, do NOT put anything in at all until your vet has positively confirmed that the eardrum is intact.    Our vet made a mistake of giving me three bottles of ear drops to put in an ear with a ruptured ear drum!    Made everything a lot worse.

Jo

Don't think they have Jo, at least the OP doesn't say so.
Dawn.

Head tilts can also be caused by neck problems