Fostering a sick dog - vestibular syndrome

[Stupiddogperson]

I wonder if anyone has success stories they could share. A contact asked me to foster a dog that is abandoned and would otherwise be PTS. The vet it was brought to could not keep it and local rescues would likely PTS because of a myriad of health problems.

I was wondering if the dog has any chance of getting better. It has symptoms of vestibular syndrome but it could be something else. The dog is elderly and has terrible teeth and an ear infection to add to its woes. Its bloods are good and the vet is optimistic. However it is badly disoriented. Falls down and can’t get up but it does walk around a bit and seems alert.

Problem is also the dog will not go to the toilet outside. I suspect it is not toilet trained. As it shows absolutely no enthusiasm for going out. Last time I tried to walk it, it lay down and refused although it walked a little way earlier.

It also can’t walk very far as it falls down and walks in circles. It has to stay in one room so we can keep control of the mess. Puppy pads are OK - it is a small dog. But it has little quality of life. It walks around sniffing stuff and seems alert but doesn’t really interact.

While saying all that, it’s a nice little dog and I felt I should give it a break rather than letting the vet euthanise. I am also prepared to pay for its dental treatment and so on, even if we eventually send it on to be rehomed.

I am also worried my cat will attack the dog. Cat is also a rescue and was here first and is very put out. Cat acts aggressive and is very clingy so must be anxious.

Please tell me it will get better. I don’t want to give up and return it to be PTS, but I feel it will not recover.

My collie had vestibular syndrome and pulled through after about four weeks. Initially she would fall over every time she tried to stand, and I had to help her walk with a harness. She found it physically challenging being outside for a wee/poo as the ground was uneven. If your dog has vestibular and an ear infection that's a double whammy of balance issues, on top of probable arthritis in an old dog. If they aren't toilet trained they probably haven't been on many walks either (as owners just don't bother) so a lack of confidence will be a big issue there. It does sound like quality of life is a big issue. I'd potentially give it a week and see if the balance issues improve at all (it will be a gradually improvement) and the ear infection is controllable, but if not then I'd probably say that the dog had had enough.

Thanks! That gives some hope.

We are beginning to think she was never taken for walks at all. Maybe just a handbag dog. Anyway we can attempt toilet training after her symptoms improve. Vet was optimistic. She is on various meds including pain relief. Vet are keeping ownership for now.

Hope she improves and we can either keep her, depending on my cat, or rehome her. She is a gentle dog and seems alert. We want to give her a chance.

Pain relief and anti sickness plus antibiotics for the ear are the big ones. She'll be feeling super nauseous poor thing.

DH & I thought she was a bit less ‘tilted’ tonight. We got her a crate so she can spend time with us (and allow us to mop her ‘room’). Cat is calming down a bit now!

I think it’s going to be a long slow process for all of us. I took her for a walk this evening. She was fascinated by traffic lights and a bloke on a bike and for some reason, my neighbours wall. She seemed to enjoy sniffing around, before going inside to wee in her room!

I'd say it took mine a week to be able to walk at all (after a week she would manage four or five steps before falling whereas initially it was as she tried to stand or the first step), then she was weak and drifting while walking for about a month to six weeks. She never lost the head tilt, but got back to being able to do the stairs and go for six mile walks. Just takes a bit of time (assuming it is vestibular - vets always throw in a potential brain tumour diagnosis but that's incredibly rare). Good idea with the crate. Glad she likes her wet room 😅

Make sure they’ve checked her blood pressure as my dog presented very similarly to vestibular disease but actually had acute hypertension . I think you are very kind to take her on even short term .