Vestibular Disease in Aging Cairn - Vertigo - Need Help!

[pkcrossley]

very encouraging, so glad you acted quickly. stroke is a good explanation, and many dogs and people do recover substantially, given time. i hope the lab results are all consistent with that explanation. i am shoulder to shoulder with you on the never rushing to euthanize, and you are doing great with this. many good wishes to you and your boy. 

[Ms Molly Mae]

I am so glad that your little guy is doing better and I pray he continues to make progress. He has been in my thoughts all day. It is never good to see our little ones suffer. Hopefully he will be barking at squirrels again soon. 

[hheldorfer]

That's wonderful news!  Seems like this is something that either will pass on its own or something you will be able to treat/deal with.  I'm relieved to hear the situation wasn't as dire as you first thought.  Hugs and best wishes to you for your boy's continued improvement.

[gd4]

Idaho Cairns,

I have questions for you. Toots, you mentioned, had several mini-stroke incidents after a main stroke. How did you know that he had a stroke? Was treatment or supplements given to him? Did he have an underlying disease that contributed to these strokes? How long did it take him to recover? I noticed today our pup is back to moving slow again, not wanting to walk on his own very much. I assume it is likely a day to day basis since his first incident was on October 11. I should be hearing back on lab results today. His blood pressure was normal.

Also, may thanks to my friends with well wishes here! I appreciate your kind words

Thanks! Gina

Edited October 25, 2016 by gd4
additional info

[Idaho Cairns]

Gina, we did not definitively "know" that Toots had a stroke but she certainly had a neurological seizure of some sort--the initial one came out of nowhere one quiet evening when the first "grand mal" kind of incident occurred with the crashing into furniture, running for the door (like she was trying desperately to get outside) and finally collapsing into an unconscious state at that door.  She lay on the floor shaking, slobbering--it was too late in the evening to seek a vet's advice so we simply waited until she came to.  As I recall she was very weak at first and then eventually regained her full motor skills within a couple of hours.
Everything was normal with her for a few months and then we had the onset of these "mini-mal" type seizures which seemed to come late at night--while she was sleeping.  As mentioned earlier, they started as typical dog "nightmares" where the dog yelps, shakes, maybe tries to run in its sleep--something many dog owners experience--quite mundane but in her case, some of them--maybe twice in a winter, went beyond these dream sequences and she would stiffen, cry out, drool, and loose control of her bladder.
Because of their rarity, a vet never diagnosed one of them during  the actual seizure and, as I recall, one vet suggested that the condition might be related to Cushing's Disease although, at that time, there was no real definitive answer and certainly no treatment of Cushing's that was reliable.
I believe Toots lived for about five years after the onset, with these rare seizures (interestingly, only one occurred during the day over that entire time) and we treated it as mentioned, with a cold compress to her shoulders which seemed to help her out of her seizure more quickly.  Not sure why we came up with that technique except during these incidents her temperature seemed to rise to very abnormal levels--she was literally "red hot" to touch.
We did not medicate Toots because there wasn't any suggestion that the Vets gave us to go by.
Other than these incidents--the first really bad one and the subsequent smaller ones, Toots led a "normal" for her life.  She still interacted with our other Cairn in the same way and other than always being alert (making her sleep in bed with us so we would know and could react quickly at the onset of these "mini-mals") everything was fine.  Toots finally succumbed to old age--just weakened as old dogs do in their final stages.
Gina, I sure hope you have a similar or lesser experience with you little guy.  I know how scary it is to both witness these kinds of behaviors and to live with them but, looking back, as frightening as the first thing was and for all the worry and wariness we spent subsequently, in the long run, our Toots wasn't subjected to a lot of obvious pain and lived well beyond the onset of this "thing"--whatever it was.
Cairns are pretty tough characters--like everything else they do, it is full bore "Oh What the Hell!" when it comes to living with and overcoming adversities.
 

[Hillscreek]

1 hour ago, Idaho Cairns said:

 

Cairns are pretty tough characters--like everything else they do, it is full bore "Oh What the Hell!" when it comes to living with and overcoming adversities.
 

That's for sure Idaho!

[gd4]

Thanks, for sharing the details of your experience, Idaho. And, thanks for the support here!

The lab results came back normal. I don't know what else to do besides if we were to do a MRI which is quite costly. Today, he is not moving around as much and not near as alert as before. I am becoming discouraged. Not sure what else to say or do at this point but wait. Very sad. I hoped to gain more insight from the tests but doesn't seem to be.

Gina

[Sam I Am]

Gina I totally get it. It's the not knowing that is a tough thing to deal with.  Did the specialist suggest an MRI and is there a support group that might help you with the cost?

[gd4]

Since we both work, I doubt there is a way around the added expense of a MRI. I just feel disappointed to see that he is not doing as well today. I know that only time will tell. Gina

[Idaho Cairns]

Gina, the best advice I can give is to simply let time and nature take its course.  I know it is hard to do but try and relax and let the dog heal--Cairns are super intuitive and they will pick up on your "worry aura" if it is strong.  The lab results should be your guide--no indications of the kind of thing that could be difficult like the ingestion of something harmful, no indication of serious health problems--lean on that good news.
Please keep us updated. 

[gd4]

Great point, Idaho. I spoke with the specialist and she said that it is perfectly normal if my pup was active yesterday to be tired today. I think I am overthinking and need to chill at this point. She is willing to treat him with steriods later on, without an MRI, if I wish. Right now, she said the same, time will tell. It is too soon, let nature unfold and see what happens.

Thank you

Gina

Edited October 26, 2016 by gd4
typo

[gd4]

Hello, all,

I would like to provide an update on my pup. It is now a little over a week from last Monday when we took our him to the neurologist spec on 10/24. He is on a low dose compound aspirin. There are little hints at progress each day; however, the most significant were the last three days.  I purchased a shoulder harness for him and he now is walking in the yard more than a few steps and continues to do potty on his own. He stands to eat his food, drink water and eat treats. This afternoon, he walked across the yard, almost at a swift pace on his own. This evening, he walked across the family room to get a treat. He wags his tail and is coherent to know everything that is going on; however, he is simply unsure of walking around in the house at length. I was told that he would get tired. I am so glad that we did not take swift action to euthanize him when he showed poor signs on the 10/22. If we had listened to the visiting vet, who seemed to point us in that direction, it would have been a mistake.  I will continue to update. If he continues with just little more progress, things will be almost normal for our old boy. Will keep you posted! Gina

[Min D]

That sure sounds like great news, everyday you can have him with you and looking like he's happy to be with there is a bonus.

 

[gd4]

Yes, I agree! One day at a time. We will enjoy the good days! Gina

[lindasue]

Good news. Hoping for continued good news. 

[pkcrossley]

great to hear. this is encouraging and al going in the right direction. have patience. every day you are getting him life that he might not have had if you had gone another way. he's comfortable, enjoying himself, and working on improving. 

[Hillscreek]

Wonderful. Each good day is a blessing. Enjoy.

[hheldorfer]

Thanks for the update.  Sounds like things are looking up.  Good job!

[sanford]

Thank you for letting us share this encouraging update!?

[gd4]

Yes, last night we had a little scare. It appeared that he started to have something similar to a panic attack. However, he snapped back very quickly. I think he has little coordination and this creates some panic for him. This morning, he is still walking and looking for treats. As I was in another room, I noted one of the pups walked in. It was not my little girl, it was actually him! He walked in to find me. So, let's just keep our fingers crossed that there are more improvements. I am happy with what we now have.

[Rylee's mama]

I hope he gets much better

[gd4]

Thank you! Tonight, he went outside the patio door on his own and came back in. He is a little wobbly but he hasn't fell as much. I am working with him to try to do things on his own

[LindaMC]

Sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers that your boy keeps getting stronger every day.  I know how hard it is watching our beloved pets struggle, but it sounds like he's showing a tiny bit of improvement with each new day.....baby steps. 

[gd4]

Just another quick update:

The pup is now walking around on his own, all normal habits. He still has the head tilt, slightly confused of his inside surroundings. He is now going up the patio door steps on his own and struggles a little going down. He takes brief walks on the leash. His personality is coming back and he even tried to steal the little girl pup's food yesterday. He is taking a bone/joint formula and a low dose compound aspirin daily. The neurologist spec. believes that with the current progress it is a stroke and not brain tumor. She stated that there is the possibility for improvement. One day at a time!

Gina

[hheldorfer]

Good to hear things are looking up.