Injured Lab - no balance

[Jaspernuts]

Took my dog to go pheasant hunting on Wed - she got out of the car and hit a fence 8 feet away from the car. She has no balance any more and "high steps" when she walks. When she looks at you her head bounces like she has vertigo. Took to the vet and she has no sign of injury or pain. Im guessing a neck or back injury. Told to rest her for a few days and see what happens. Any of you out there ever experience this?

[leechlake]

years ago we got home from the cabin and when we let the dogs out I remembered that the doggie door going from our backyard into the mudroom still had the metal security door on it. I ran into the house to remove it and as I did my lab attempted to come barreling into the house through the doggie door. He banged his head hard on the safety door.

Next day when I woke up he walked like a drunken sailor to the front door, walked outside and fell down. I took him in and the vet figured he had a concussion but since concussions are even hard to diagnose in people he didn't know for sure. We just had him lay low for a while and he snapped back. Brain rest is the key, if that is your dogs problem too.

[Jaspernuts]

They got her on some muscle relaxers and they knock her out pretty good. She will get a cat scan on Friday if no improvement. I wonder how much thats gonna cost.

[DrJuice1980]

grab her traps (neck muscles) do the muscles spasm? if so have they gone down in intensity since the injury?

[Jaspernuts]

No spasm when I grab them. She shows no discomfort when I touch her in the neck area either. She half closes her eyes though and sometime eyelids droopy.

[DrJuice1980]

mmm, strange. what about ear canals? anything different going on there?

[Jaspernuts]

No - they are fine. She will eat but has not had water today. Should I try giving her some water with a turkey baster or something?

[DrJuice1980]

is her tongue hanging out? not panting

[Jaspernuts]

Tounge not hanging out. No panting. Seems happy, wags her tail. Just has a hard time walking and her head bobbles. If she stands up she starts leaning and tips over. It is like she has bad vertigo.

[LABS4ME]

How old?

[Jaspernuts]

2.5 YEARS. Young dog.

[muskie-mike]

Had a Doberman that acted like a drunken sailor. Took her to vet and he looked at her eyes an diagnosed vertigo.Got some meds from drug store and ok in two days...look in her eyes and they looked like bouncing balls...

[LABS4ME]

Was thinking vestibular disease. But that's almost aways Oder dogs. Usually temporary. I'd still ask vet about thus possibility.

Good luck!

Ken

[DrJuice1980]

Sad deal. Probably vertigo. Best of luck man.

[Jaspernuts]

She is doing a little better after a couple days. Balance is better, head no longer bobbing, but she has some trouble eating and swallowing. Vet will let us know today if MRI needed.

[401TE]

Sounds like vertigo or a concussion to me. I'd make sure she takes some water today, if not, take her in.

[tolle141]

Probably a concussion or a damaged ear drum. That'll do both.

[Jaspernuts]

Dog was 75% on thursday doing well and now cannot even walk. Her neck muscles are doing the spasm thing Dr Juice. What does that mean? Got worse after she went off anti inflammatory meds. Now its not a balance issue, she has no control of her legs. She can lift her head and the tail wags, but cannot get up.

[Ufatz]

Please! Get back together with the vet ASAP Monday morning. None of us are going to be any real help.

[Jaspernuts]

I realize this Ufatz, I have a appointment at 8am tomorrow. I don't think she will make it through the night. I guess just grasping at straws.

[JeffB]

Good luck hope she makes it.

[nofishfisherman]

There are emergency vet services around. I would find one and bring the dog in tonight. Don't wait until tomorrow if you fear she won't make it through the night.

[Jaspernuts]

Wow, what a rollercoaster. Took her up to the cities for a nuerologist. They though probable broken or slipped vertebrea causing pressure on the spine and after confirmation with MRI, recovery looked good. Called last night and MRI shows normal, but white blood cell count high on spinal tap. Now they suspect maybe cancer,or meningitis but not sure. Its just weird that she showed no symtoms of disease until this hit, but now they suspect disease. I will get another call by noon hopefully with a diagnosis, but not looking good for Jewel.

[Jaspernuts]

Tests for cancer negative. Need to do more tests to see if its menigitis or some kind of fungal infection. This is getting expensive. I never dreamed I would spend this kind of money on a dog.

[Ufatz]

Hang in there. It gets tough sometimes but a time will come when you will not even remember the dollars. Let the scientists do their thing and they will set the course to follow.

We're all pulling with ya.