Let me tell you about a week in the life of a drunk dog.
No, Nigel my Queensland Heeler mix does not drink but he sure was acting like he had been on a binge. Last week my husband came home to a mess. I mean, as Clay says, a real MESS. Nigel had barfed and pooped all over the house. The poor guy’s head was hanging lopsided and he was staggering all over the place. DH called the vet while I went on line asking friends for information. The saga follows with some additions.
May 2
Who has experience with Geriatric Canine Vestibular Disorder? I know what the vet says and I expect my dog to recover but does anyone have tips as to how to help an 80 lb dog get through the first days before he starts adjusting? My last experience with this was with a 20 lb dog ten years ago.
For an explanation of the disorder visit http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/vs.html
May 3
Nigel is a bit better today which is not unusual with this syndrome. He still hangs his head to one side and walks like a drunk. There is less eye flickering which is a good sign and he is relaxing a bit more. I have all of the lights on in the rooms I want him to stick too and put rugs on all of the wood floors so he does not slip and slide. The lights are so he can focus better and see in the distance. Like motion sickness, if Nigel can see a distant horizon it is less nausea introducing.
I stayed home today so I could nurse Nigel. When I called in this morning my boss said she would put me down for sick leave because she was sure I was exhausted and needed my rest after a rough night up with the dog. I have to love her.
May 4th
Nigel update: Nigel is much better. He is still a bit drunk but is eating small meals and is drinking water. His eyes are not flickering. As long as he does not shake his head, wag his tail too hard or try to run he does not fall over and his list to the side is not as pronounced. Each day shows more improvement.
May 8
Over the weekend Nigel improved quite a bit. He did fall in the flower bed once and tripped over his feet a couple of times, but he can at least now maneuver out the dog door again without getting lost among the refuse bins. The problem was with the head tilt Nigel was making only left turns. Out the back door the trash cans are on the left, while the walk to the yard is to the right. The poor guy was walking in circles around the trash cans for a day or so.
May 9th
Nigel is pretty much back to normal. He does have my husband snookered though. DH is lacing Nigel's food with tempting tidbits and wonders why Nigel does not want to eat regular dog food. I figure as long as he can poop and pee he is ok. That is the dog I am talking about though it is probably true of DH also.
Take off the word Canine and you have Geriatric Vestibular Disorder, an ailment that affects people. So if you see me falling into a flower bed at a concert do not assume I am drunk.
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