Recent Feedback
Dog is staggering like he is drunk, tested for antifreeze poisoning but negative. He is normal except when he walks he staggers
Optional Information: Age: 2; Male; Breed: Rottweiller MixAlready Tried: At the vets. IV Fluids Staggering and now drooling
Hello,
Has the Vet spoke to you about Vestibular disturbace? This is an area in the middle and inner ear that cantrols the balance center and helps all living creature to be able to walk without falling. Some of the signs are walking like drunk. eyes darting to one side or the other, head tilt to one side, circling when walking and some other symptoms that may come with this problem. In older dogs Vestibular disturbance is usually idopathic and can come on suddenly and last about 14 days and then clear as quickly as it started. I would like to supply some further information about Idopathic Vestibular Disturbance. Joan
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vestibular_disease.html
Reply to Jav917's Post: I spoke with the vet and they say he does not show signs of ear infection
Vestibular can be idiopathic unknown reason) and not necessarily from an ear infection. It can come on just because the receptors the (little vestibular hairs) in the ear have been agitated causing this diturbance. If you read the link I gave you it expalins and elabotates on this explanation. It can come on very quickly and go the same way it cane. It does not mean there is an ear infection. The drooling can be a sign of nausea that conmes along with this problem. Joan
Can anything cause these symtoms?
As I said these symptoms are classic of a Vesibular disturbance.
This information is directly from: Marvista Vet.
The vestibular apparatus allows us to walk, even run, on very uneven ground without falling, helps us know when we need to right ourselves, and allows our eyes to follow moving objects without becoming dizzy.
THE SIGNS OF VESTIBULAR DISEASE
If there is trouble in the vestibular apparatus, then one may not properly perceive one's orientation. To put it more simply, one won't know which way is up, whether or not one is standing up straight or slanted, and one will feel very dizzy.
The following are signs of vestibular disease:
Canine idiopathic vestibular disease (also called "Old dog vestibular disease") and, its feline counterpart, feline idiopathic vestibular disease begin acutely and resolve acutely. Usually improvement is evident in 72 hours and the animal is normal in 7-14 days, possibly with an occasional head tilt persisting. When a case of vestibular disease presents, it may be a good idea to wait a few days to see if improvement occurs before doing diagnostics beyond a routine blood/urine database. These two conditions are idiopathic, meaning we do not know why the occur. We do know that they represent problems in the periphery (nerves of the middle ear rather than in the actual brain.)
This explains what I think is happening to your baby. The symptoms are ther, but without a hands on exam and seeing the dog it is impossible to say the is the problem, but all the symptoms are present. Joan
Experience: Vet Tech for over 30+ years working w/Dogs/Rescues
Thank you again for your help. Just one thing, would this make him vomit as well?
He may show some signs of nausea and even vomit since it feels like car sickness or sea sickness. Make sure to have some Pedialyte in the house, so if he does get sick you can rehydrate him. Joan