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Old dog vestibular disease

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • R

    Our dog Rascal is 14 years old. He was recently diagnosed with idiopathic old dog vestibular disease. The vet prescribed 10days of antibiotics and 14 days of Prednisone. At first he improved from unable to walk to having a head tilt and being slightly unsteady on his feet. The antibiotics were completed 2 days ago and we are tappering the prednisone. His symptoms are getting worse. I haven't noted any facial paralysis. The vet didn't see any signs of ear infection. He mention a visit to a specialist as the next step. Any similar experiences or advice?

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    B
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  • Q

    Vestibular disease and Stroke. Please help!

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    MDSPHOTOM
    We had a Dalmatian that started having these issues at the same age as your B. Vestibular disease got worse causing her to lose her balance and fall when walking, loss of strength in her hindquarters and incontinence. I am not aware of any treatments for the VD, but there are a number of human treatments for strokes that might be able to be used in dogs.
  • D

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    D
    Here is the test information that Missy had done and an article with the portion that includes Melatonin for treatment. I have inlcuded the webpage for the entire article. She has not been on the Melatonin long and I am slowly increasing her dosage but she is definitely not as puffy in the intestinal area as she was. The Adrenal Panel with Combined Dex Supp/ACTH Stim Test for Dogs: The following hormones are tested in the adrenal panel: Cortisol, Estradiol, Androstenedione, 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Progesterone and Aldosterone. REVIEW ARTICLES Steroid Profiles in the Diagnosis of Canine Adrenal Disorders Jack W. Oliver, Proceedings 25th ACVIM Forum, Pp. 471-473, Seattle, WA. 2007. http://www.vet.utk.edu/diagnostic/endocrinology/pdf/Steroids%20Profiles%20in%20the%20Diagnosis%20of%20.doc Melatonin. Results of in vitro cell culture (human H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells) studies in our lab55 revealed that both 21-hydroxylase and aromatase enzymes were inhibited by melatonin. Also, in dogs with adrenal disease that are treated with melatonin, and repeat adrenal steroid panels are done, cortisol levels are consistently reduced, and estradiol levels are variably reduced.29 Inhibition of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme would lower cortisol levels, and inhibition of the aromatase enzyme would lower estradiol levels. Estradiol levels were decreased in a prior study of dogs treated with melatonin.31 Results of in vitro studies with human MCF-7 breast cancer cells also revealed that melatonin inhibited aromatase enzyme, which resulted in reduced estradiol levels.56 Melatonin treatment for cases of mild adrenal disease in dogs may be effective, and particularly in cases where sex steroids are increased. Jennifer
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    S
    Thanks everyone! Now I'm wracking my brain trying to remember where exactly her vaccines were. She got two in one day, and I preoccupied with holding her and giving her cookies! I keep rubbing it, and if anything, it seems a bit smaller, but I will absolutely let everyone know what happens next. Cheers
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    tanzaT
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    BarklessdogB
    My wife's hand is worse where she can't bend her finger or lift objects. I finally got her to go to the doctor, they X rayed her hand and asked her how long she has had arthritis! So this is how she found out she has arthritis at age 48. It seems that her knuckle where she was bit has an inner infection, no broken bones, they put her hand & finger in a splint. The dog bite did not break the skin, but as any body who has been "really" bitten by a basenji knows they have bone crushing jaws. They leave horrible bruises even if they don't draw blood. The dog seems all better still, no more pain attacks. While petting him we noticed a scab on his ear after the fight. It goes all the way through his ear. The other dog bit a hole in his ear, when she tried to finish him!