Vestibular disease and Stroke. Please help!


  • I have a 13.5 year old basenji. During the last a month and 20 days, he had three episodes of vestibular syndrome. I took him to ER few times and we have seen two neurologists since, one was at San Francisco and one was at UC Davis Vet. Many testing include MRI, spinal tap, X-rays, Ultrasound, blood work, urine analysis, urine culture and so on had been done. Most tests came back normal or with very minor issues. The MRI indicate there are places of infarcs and hemorrhages. Both neurologist has seen these MRI problems, first neurologist thought these are old infarcs that she didn't believe those are causing his vestibular syndrome, she expects my dog to have a full recovery. The second neurologist at UC Davis thinks these are got to be strokes because this has happened three times already in such short time. He thinks there is an underlying reason that is causing my dog to have these episodes. He ordered additional tests which mostly also came back normal. I am still waiting on two more tests result. The doctor thinks it annoys him that he could not find anything wrong that he thinks that maybe causing these strokes or vestibular episodes.

    I am a foreigner myself to the U.S., it makes even harder with the language barrier. I am asking here to see if anyone can think of anything that would be able to help finding the underlying reason that is causing my dog to have these episodes. I am really afraid of another one and I know my dog is as well. I can tell on his face. It is as difficult enough right now for him, if another episode comes I really don't know what to do. If you know about this problem, please email me. I will provide you with more details. Thank you so much. Please help. My dog's name is Chester. My email is quekong@aol.com. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.


  • You might want to look into Wobbler syndrome.

    http://vet.osu.edu/wobbler-syndrome


  • 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.

Suggested Topics

  • Cushings Disease

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @gwen - It is not common Basenjis, many breeds, mixed breeds have/develop Cushings.
  • Help, please - emaciated B skin issue

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    YodelDogsY
    One thing you can do to help his coat is to bathe him every 1-2 weeks with Murphy's Oil Soap. Use your fingers and gently "scrub" him while he is soaped up. (Murphy's does not produce much lather so don't expect it.) The massaging will loosen dead hair and help it fall out. This stimulates new hair to grow. Murphy's has natural oils including coconut that help moisten the skin and keep it healthy.
  • Help, Please!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    4k Views
    gbroxonG
    @tanza: Hmm…. I would "bet not".....gggg;) And you'd win! This morning, Magnum followed me down to the laundry room where I had put some painted-up towels I used last night to get off a lot of the paint when it first happened. Luckily, I was able to grab them up just as he got into position to throw himself down and roll on them. (I trashed them after getting them as clean as I could.) He just loves rolling in stuff that's smelly, whether it's a good smell or a bad smell! He may have learned a lesson, but it's obviously not one that's gonna stop him from rolling in smelly stuff! He seems to be okay even after getting several licks of paint in, no tummy problems, his usual laid-back self. Eating and drinking well.
  • Help!!!!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    tanzaT
    Yup, I would agree, UTI is possible…
  • Help Please

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    @JazzysMom: Oh sorry, should have been more clear. I just sent my dogs' blood to Bryan, HE sent it on for testing. I was just replying as to where/how to physically mail the blood, not so much as related to the testing itself. Me too, should have been more clear, I was really responding to etzbseder about the CPP site and submitting blood, didn't even look to see the message was from you…. ggg
  • Help!!!!!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    Diana…. I totally agree that we seem to be seeing IBD alot more in our breed again........ And Janet, you should also point her to the Basenji Club of America site www.basenji.org and then she can go to the health section …. read more about health concerns in Basenjis