Old Dog Vestibular Disease

Old Dog Vestibular Disease can produce terrifying symptoms mimicking those of a terminal stroke. Peripheral Vestibular Disease can go away on its own, possibly within 7-14 days. My dog made a miraculous recovery in a short time.

He was diagnosed on the first day and sent home to wait out the recovery period - completely unable to use his legs, stand, or walk, severe head tilt and disorientation. He regained a lot of control of his eyes within 48 hours.

On the fourth day, he regressed so far down that I hospitalized him overnight. They found no evidence of tumor or other problems, treated him more aggressively for his longtime arthritis, and he miraculously started standing and walking again. He fell over less frequently, and eventually learned to pick himself up each time.

I did not film the worst of it -- when I thought he wouldn't see another 24 hours; the total paralysis, or the constant falling over, or the worst of the decline before the hospitalization.

Many pet owners think of euthanasia when they see the seemingly insurmountable symptoms - as did I. I hope you are as lucky as I was, if your dog gets this frightening syndrome.