Surviving
Canine Vestibular Disease
C.V.D.
A journal of recovery
By Ace Lobrin
My journal begins at day one:
My dad and I were in the garage, when we heard a thump coming from inside the house. It sounded like someone dropping a sack of potatoes in the kitchen, and my mom called for us in a very urgent tone to get in the house right away. Upon the scene inside the house we saw my dog sitting at the base of the steps leading upstairs. We thought nothing of it as he was excitedly wagging his tail and grinning in his usual goofy self. He sat up and continued his usual manner pacing the house and seemed fine. But, he was wary of the stairs….Oh Oh…
Later that night after he made it up the stairs…he fell again, trying to get up on my bed, a yellow card for me. Could he be having a stroke? Was he poisoned? He managed once again to get up on my bed and lied down next to me for an hour or so, when he got up and began what I call C.V.D “restless stage”. He would stand by the door panting and leaning against the wall. We thought he might have eaten something that didn’t agree with his stomach, after offers to take him outside were turned down….i made his bed of blankets and his pillow and hit the sack. Doggie spent the night restless panting and uncomfortable.
Day two:
Doggie managed to descend the stairs with assistance and we made our way to the yard to do his business. I was anticipating him to make an epic “self relieving”(poooh). But to no avail. Doggie was now entering what I would like to call the C.V.D.”drunken monk” stage. Doggie was leaning on everything he could, staggering, toppling over and knocking things down, an uneasy pacing, and seeming to be uncomfortable anywhere he was. I offered him food and he deliberated, before eventually eating, and, I am so thankful now, that at this stage, doggie still managed to make his way to his water bowl, but was oddly sipping from the side in an awkward way. Continuous panting and staggering, beginning to look less and less like stomach problems and more and more like a stroke(which buy the way, correct me if I’m mistaken, through my research is very rare in dogs). At this stage we rushed doggie to the vet, on an emergency visit.
At the vet, after having to carry doggie in/out of the car and into the office (he’s about 45lbs)we’re quickly shown into an examination room and seen by a doctor. An examination including heart, eyes, legs and neck followed. A few answers to our questions were narrowed down to a few conditions. Stroke was ruled out as it was very rare and unlikely, he was showing no facial symptoms. Possible spine problems at the neck was a concern. And finally doc suspected C.V.D…Canine Vestibular Disease… an injection of CERENIA 3cc was prepared and administered for his nausea and dizziness. Doc prescribed rest and supportive care, GRAVOLtm.,and she also suggested a crate to rest in and keep doogie from getting into trouble(we got one and find it crucial in how we rehabilitated doggie). At this time doggie is just so out of it, as soon as we got home, he got some shut eye for about two hours. The prescribed GRAVOLtm. Had not yet been administered. And doggie had not eaten yet, just a little water(hydration is VERY important!) Another restless night…….(with me camped out in the living room right next to his crate)
Day three:
Doggie is very fatigued and restless, shifting around and panting, occasionally plopping into a nap, he is still very uncomfortable. Water is offered and drank, but food is turned down. GRAVOLtm. Alternative is administered(dimenhydrinate) and doggie is now napping, getting up only to shift positions, possible neck injury is ruled out due to doggie comfortably sleeping on both sides favoring neither(though when awake it is evident he favors turning to his right side, indicating affected side). Doggie is still uneasy and reluctant to stand. Chicken is offered and taken, so is water, and he is holding it down-no vomiting.
After a few hours dimenhydrinate is administered and doggie is still fairly sedated and continues to sleep. When given a chance to leave the crate, doggie is still staggering and very dizzy-like. At this point from the moment and since we got the crate, I have been camping next to his crate to monitor and keep him company to keep doggie in as good spirits as possible, I wouldn’t suggest leaving him/her alone for long periods and believe that being with him/her or being nearby was a crucial part of his recovery process.
Still sedated and groggy.
Day four:
A trip to the yard to do some business is successful, doggie is slowly regaining his balance. Water is offered and taken, another dose of dimenhydrinate is offered, and back he goes in his crate. More rest and sleep, and restlessness and panting bouts are gone!
Around lunch time 4oz. chicken is offered and taken, more water, and sleep.
Things are looking good, though still wobbly, but signs of nausea are less, and he is standing in his crate more often. Lots of rest and TLC, and his favorite treat “for the love of dogs 100%natural” are taken…Sleep sleep sleep, need to build some energy……. A dose of dimenhydrinate is administered before sleeping…..REST REST REST…
Day five:
Looking good! A trip to the yard and business, doggie now standing more surefooted and steady. Chicken, water, favorite treats, and a dose of dimenhydrinate are accepted. Still in the crate(he has been in the crate since we got it in day two). REST REST REST. Now I would like to share what I consider an important part of our recovery I would like to call “Stand therapy”, this is when we re-learned balance by standing, In this case doggie is reluctant to walk too far, so letting him/her stand while being there to assist in case he/she topples over is crucial in re-learning balance and confidence. We stood for about 20min. testing balance until tired, and back in the crate. REST REST REST(we situated the crate by the sliding door to the yard with lots of fresh air since day two). Doggie is standing more and more……..
Day six:
Things just keep getting better! A trip to the yard to do some doggie business starts the day….followed by a drink of water, and dimenhydrinate therapy has been stopped. Another 30min. “Stand therapy” session, and doggie is willingly back in his crate for a nap. Doggie is now starting to show good signs and is acting more normal…licking himself and seems to be more comfortable…He is accepting his favorite treats readily…Oh…and he’s barking again(when I tried to lift him) music to my ears!
Day seven:
We’re baaaaaaaaack! Doggie is now walking and is enjoying his new doggie harness(we got him one since the doc suspected a neck problem), eating really well and he is back to his antics(he loved to rearrange the shoes from the front of the house and he joined us for dinner, eating well and drinking well, phew, thanks to god, and DR. Findley, Susan’s treats, and my family, without them I don’t think I would’ve got through this)
Things and feelings I would add to share:
It’s ok to be scared/worried, it is a very dramatic and visual disease….but the last thing your doggie needs is a panicking and negative scene, doggie needs you positive, brave, and supportive to get through this, be strong.
I can’t stress this enough…stay calm, C.V.D. is VERY dramatic…stay calm…
It’s ok if your dog chooses not to eat for a little bit…keep some of his/her favorite treat handy…mine took some chicken and his “power pellet” treat, “Love my dog” dehydrated treat: call Susan @905 655 7575 (this was a crucial key element to our recovery, truthfully)
HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE!
REST REST REST!
TLC…and you will see…he/she will be…well…
Love your dog…be strong…he/she will be counting on you…you guys WILL get through this…I promise!
Research proves very strong and positive recovery statistics for C.V.D.
Best of luck, cheers, and happy wagging tails….
2 comments on this topic
16. July - 12:06 am
I want to thank you so much for this. My english springer is suffering from this at the moment and it is very scary. Just reading this made me more calm and reassured everything will be fine. He’s not really eating a lot but a small handful of wet food (he’s 50 lbs) so I try small meals throughout the day. I hope he fully recovers soon.
22. July - 10:17 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://smallpet.info
25. July - 2:23 am
Chika, how is he? C.V.D. is really dramatic, but don’t be scared. Recovery stats are good. Keep in good spirits, he needs to see you strong so he will be. Like my sis Arlene told me with our pup, he might be a little frightened himself, and maybe a lil’ embarassed, about his dizzyness. But your TLC and strength WILL get you through this. Sue is pretty cool, she knows alot about dogs, and she might have some more advice, maybe you should contact her. We gotta figure out what causes this fandangled condition and find a cure. Unfortunately it is very common. Don’t be scared and keep strong.
27. July - 2:39 pm
My English Springer just came down with this on Friday. It was sudden and if I hadn’t read about this odd disease, I was going to have been put to sleep. The vet gave him a shot of Versed and said something about he should be a lot in better in 12-18 hours. At least with this daily dairy, I have some way to gauge his progress.
I am on day 3 but it feels like day 10. He’s only eating a handful of turkey and is still vomiting sometimes but mostly is keeping water down.
It is a frightening disease and it has required 24 nursing care. I hope this is a one time thing. He’s almost 15 and I don’t think he could go through another episode.
29. July - 9:22 pm
Marianne, my best wishes for you and your pup. This condition is very much misdiagnosed. Often thought to be a stroke or poisoning. Hydration is important, and if he doesn’t eat so much, it’s ok. Our doc suggested GRAVOL for the nausea, to help keep food down and aid in sleeping(please consult with your doctor first). With our pup, the naps were crucial to his recuperation. We were fortunate i had the opportunity to be by our pups side, through it all. TLC TLC TLC. Research and statistics are very positive that the chances of recurrence are slim to none. All the best to you.
9. August - 5:09 pm
Ace,
Thanks so much for this journal. You advice helped as hard as it is for meto believe my springer is now almost 100%. Head tilt is gone. You were more help than the vet because I could gage my dog’s progress. Dramamine was a great deal of help and rest. But goodness, it was over two weeks of intensive care, worth every minute of it though.
14. August - 1:27 am
Excellent! sometimes the value of knowledge through experience is such a good support and comfort we can take solace in. But that’s great your springer bounced back. We need to find a cure for this dagnabbit disease. If you have any further questions or in need for any advice, the moderator of this forum is quite experienced in the field. Stick around this forum as i will be posting some doggie culinary recipes you can try at home…we are rescuing a Lab and she will be doing the taste tests…Stay well…wagging tails!
4. January - 1:30 pm
Finally,
Some words of comfort.
we have sibling rescue boxers.
Grant currently have CVD and we are on day six.
Internet research gave us a clue as what was going on as two vets could not tell us.
We had never heard of CVD before and were afraid he had a brain tumor.
At day 6, he is not out of the woods yet but is regaining strength.
There are three of us giving him 24 hour care and we are all exhausted.
Thank you for the kind words of encouragement.
27. September - 11:03 pm
Thnnk you for your journal post this is exactly how it happened for my dog. He is almost 15 years old and has bad hip so he was ususally falling about here and there. But his CVD came on suddenly and we thought for sure it was a stroke as all the symptoms pointed to it. We were all very sad to see him in this state and he seemed very scared and was pantiing alot in distress. But we were so relieved at the vet to hear that this was not a stroke. We were afraid that we were going to have to put him to sleep. The vet explained it to us and perscribed Gravol. I do not remember how many times to give it too him a day? from your journals you gave it to your dog twice a day? Right now I am very glad that my dog is still alive and the the ver it familiar with this condition. Thank you for your idea to help my dog and do “stand therapy” with him.
16. January - 3:49 pm
My dog was diagnosed with this yesterday. I have to say, it was quite possibly the scariest thing I have ever encountered! But after reading your blog I realise that she is following in the exact same steps as ‘Doggie’ and hopefully recover completely.
It gives me much more reassurance!
Thank you
11. May - 5:19 pm
My dog was just diagnosed with vestibular disease this morning. My Vet was not helpful what so ever and didn’t explain the disease and what I should expect. He actually told me to “google” the disease. He then gave her a shot of Cerenia and drops for her ear(yeast build up) and sent me on my way no instructions/no advice. I was of course so worked up over the whole ordeal I wasn’t thinking straight, exhausted from carrying her around( she weighs 70lbs) and paid my bill and left. Even after the shot and a few hours had gone by, she was still very dizzy and her eyes where still twitching. Eventually I called back, twice especially to see if the shot should have helped her eyes.First time around I was told the vet would call me back but of course didn’t, called them again and only could speak to the secretary who would relay my questions back to the vet. This time they told me she would be dizzy/sick anywhere from 2-7 days, that she had already had a shot for nausea(obviously), and not to excite her. After reading your article, I inquired about nausea pills which was not offered to me. The vet seemed to be indifferent about them, he didnt say yes get them or no don’t get them. They told me that I can get some if I want and they are open tomorrow. Sorry for the long rant I’m just so confused and worried all at the same time.
So in your opinion were the nausea pills you were prescribed, Gravoltm, crucial in the first few days of recovery for your dog? I’m very glad I came across your article, very informative and will help me understand what’s to come in the next few days.Thank you!