[jcris]

My girl Belle has been struggling lately with some kind of neurological disorder. At least that’s the current thinking. She is going to see a specialist soon so I can figure out what can be done to help her. This occurs randomly and I’ve seen it twice since mid October, which I’m afraid is becoming more often. But the symptoms I believe have been with her for most of her life. At first she would get lost in the backyard just sitting in one corner appearing afraid. I thought it just odd behavior and not significant. But that continued and I think has escalated to her symptoms lately. She walks as if she’s drunk, unstable, wobbly unsure of her movements. She also displays light sensitivity. If I go to pet her, as my hand crosses in front of her eyes she flinches. These two symptoms are consistent over the last several episodes which last several hours, sometimes through the night. It’s very distressing, I’m unsure at this point what if anything can be done. She just turned 9 in November. Her weight is stable, she still eats and drinks normally and she runs and plays everyday. She saw her vet 2 days ago and of course her symptoms had abated before hand. So nothing the vet could see. I have not captured this on video yet but when it occurs again I will.
Please offer advise

 

[DogtorDoctor]

I think that seeing a veterinary neurologist is a fantastic next step. I also agree that video-taping any of this behavior change (in particular, her wobbly walking) and keeping a log of when it occurs will be very helpful in case Belle doesn't display these symptoms while at the vet again. Try to notice any important triggers and keep a log of them, i.e. is she worse at any specific times of the day? After any specific stimuli? The log will also help you evaluate if she is increasing in frequency and possibly severity (her signs getting worse).

I am very sorry you are going through this, it must be so stressful for you both. I hope they can find an answer for you so Belle can be more comfortable.

 

[cowpony]

My girl Belle has been struggling lately with some kind of neurological disorder. At least that’s the current thinking. She is going to see a specialist soon so I can figure out what can be done to help her. This occurs randomly and I’ve seen it twice since mid October, which I’m afraid is becoming more often. But the symptoms I believe have been with her for most of her life. At first she would get lost in the backyard just sitting in one corner appearing afraid. I thought it just odd behavior and not significant. But that continued and I think has escalated to her symptoms lately. She walks as if she’s drunk, unstable, wobbly unsure of her movements. She also displays light sensitivity. If I go to pet her, as my hand crosses in front of her eyes she flinches. These two symptoms are consistent over the last several episodes which last several hours, sometimes through the night. It’s very distressing, I’m unsure at this point what if anything can be done. She just turned 9 in November. Her weight is stable, she still eats and drinks normally and she runs and plays everyday. She saw her vet 2 days ago and of course her symptoms had abated before hand. So nothing the vet could see. I have not captured this on video yet but when it occurs again I will.
Please offer advise

I think you are doing the right thing. Have you noticed any signs of vision issues apart from the light sensitivity?

 

[Charmed]

Has she been tested for Addison's?

 

[jcris]

My girl Belle seems completely normal most of the time. Onset of these episodes are difficult to detect. I will redouble my efforts and keep a closer watch. I’m with them most days all the time which should at some point help me to perhaps see and video her symptoms. Beyond what I’ve already described she does seem to be more tired than usual, sleeping away most of the day. She also has an ongoing skin condition which has her licking and biting to relieve the itching. Her vet prescribed an antibiotic as some pimples have shown a yellow puss when popped. He also gave her an injection of
Cyto Point to relieve her itching, which has done nothing to help her. It doesn’t seem to add up that her skin problems could be related to her neurological symptoms but I really don’t know. I always compare my girls to one another and find Princess to be much more active, more commonly moving about, less inclined to lay down always curious and following me everywhere. Belle can be quite engaged but only during her walks, on or off leash. I’m rambling here, sorry.
I will mention Addison’s to her neurologist, thanks for the suggestion.
Like many of us , I have come to love my girls and find it so very distressing to see them struggling.
It seems quite likely an MRI or CT will be needed to diagnose her properly. I have over the years posted many questions about Belle and reviewing them makes me think she has been developing this issue for a long time.
Thanks everyone for your concern

 

[jcris]

My girl Belle seems completely normal most of the time. Onset of these episodes are difficult to detect. I will redouble my efforts and keep a closer watch. I’m with them most days all the time which should at some point help me to perhaps see and video her symptoms. Beyond what I’ve already described she does seem to be more tired than usual, sleeping away most of the day. She also has an ongoing skin condition which has her licking and biting to relieve the itching. Her vet prescribed an antibiotic as some pimples have shown a yellow puss when popped. He also gave her an injection of
Cyto Point to relieve her itching, which has done nothing to help her. It doesn’t seem to add up that her skin problems could be related to her neurological symptoms but I really don’t know. I always compare my girls to one another and find Princess to be much more active, more commonly moving about, less inclined to lay down always curious and following me everywhere. Belle can be quite engaged but only during her walks, on or off leash. I’m rambling here, sorry.
I will mention Addison’s to her neurologist, thanks for the suggestion.
Like many of us , I have come to love my girls and find it so very distressing to see them struggling.
It seems quite likely an MRI or CT will be needed to diagnose her properly. I have over the years posted many questions about Belle and reviewing them makes me think she has been developing this issue for a long time.
Thanks everyone for your concern

 

[jcris]

Also,
Her eyes were examined closely with some kind of scope back in October. This was during an emergency visit to a vet in town who she doesn’t normally see. I took her there because she was showing these symptoms which had lasted through the night. I wanted her seen during an episode so the vet might be better able to help her. And all I really got from that was the vet saying “ it could be neurological “. But her eyes were examined closely and no problems were detected.