In older dogs there is something called “Vestibular Syndrome” that can mimic the signs of a stroke. It happened to one of my elderly basenji’s. He was fine in a day or so (although it can take longer), the important thing is to keep him hydrated, as the vertigo effect can interfere with them being able to drink.
Hope your pup does better.
FYI, my other basenji (almost 17) went blind some time ago. It seemed to adapt pretty well. Of course you have to adapt too.
I am so sorry. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Please keep up updated.
My beautiful beagle was hit by a car in June and I mourn him every single day. I held him but he had died before I got to him and at that moment, I truly felt like I wanted to go to Heaven with him. We will rescue another beagle in memory of him and keep our love for these precious, God given animals continuing.
I’ve been there many times - the final kindness - but I will alwys have dogs. They add so much to our lives.
I’m puttin my dear 16 year old BC down tomorrow, dit. It’s ok.
We can handle it.
X 2 on Vestibular Syndrome. There’s also an excellent book called Living With Blind Dogs by Caroline Levin (or Levine) with very helpful information. I understand, though. It helps if you can be right with them most of the time. If not, it can be very hard for them.
Thank you for sharing that photo, TurboZ. I lost it, too, but I love seeing people who are that devoted to their critters. Touching is the right description. It is beautiful.
My dog is deaf and blind...give your dog time to adjust to blindness...she was better learning with her blindness that her adjustment to being deaf...my gal is old but had learned to walk the walls in getting from one room to another, also finds doorways that way. Its been about a year, she went blind with a rare eye problem called SARDS. It can cause blindness within 12 hours or up to a couple of weeks. She lost her sight in 3 days....I made her a promise if she kept eating and wagging her tail, we’d take it one day at a time...When I put her on the chain to do her business she had no problem...they learn to use their smell to find things...she does bump into things from time to time but it doesn’t bother her that much....we go for short walks around the property, no more walks along the side of the road. she likes her walks.....She has been deaf for almost 2 years and blind since last fall...she wags her tail and I have to put her on a diet, she is getting fat as a pig......take one day at a time....
I was in a panic when she went blind, the only problem is I cannot rearrange furniture anymore. She even finds her favorite big chair she sleep on....but you do have to be care full of falling over her, give it time...she is scared also...
If she is having an inner ear problem like some of the freepers have suggested, it also causes nausea. Try giving her a dramamine (from drug store) its safe for dogs and is she is having problems from an inner ear inflamation, that would also cause her to lose her appetite. A rescue I had developed and inner ear problem and they even have a hard time walking, will fall etc, balance is in the inner ear. My dog spent the night at the vets and had an IV I took her home the next day, she was also staggering before I got her to the vet.....its not serious, but needs attention..
I’m so sorry. I know you love that dog from your many posts about your spunky little guys. Letting them go is never, ever easy. :(