Poor Crockett is walking around all tilted now.
Overnight he developed something called Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome, which is an inflammation of the nerve between the eardrum and brain. Basically it takes away balance and makes your world spin around like a tornado for a couple-three weeks. And you walk around with a tilted head and run into things.
Very scary night, let me tell you. He went to bed at midnight completely fine and woke up at 4 a.m. unable to walk without falling down, throwing up, peeing all over the house, and both of us in a complete panic. I talked to an emergency vet at about 4:30, but we both thought it was his back. I loaded him up on aspirin and doggy painkillers and waited it out till morning, when it was considerably worse. I started thinking he'd had a stroke because he couldn't even stand up and his eyes looked like he was about to have a seizure. My sister drove down and we got him to my vet who pegged it immediately as the inner ear thing. Apparently this isn't uncommon - he sees half a dozen cases every fall! Did you know about this?? I sure didn't.
When I got him home he wanted to go outside. He ran in circles, falling down over and over again. Oakley thought it was a great new game and romped around and flopped herself down on the ground to play, too. THAT was hilarious!
AHHH! How scary. I'm so glad to hear it's an inner ear thing. Sounds like a horrible night. I've certainly had a few weird dog experiences, but this is new to me. Here's to hoping it clears up soon, and that Oakley continues to think it seems fun!
Posted by: Joanne | November 01, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Sounds like a scary night. Poor Crockett, hope he feels better soon.
Posted by: Vicki | November 01, 2008 at 06:34 PM
So sorry about Crockett. But very glad it's not something life threatening. It's a bit like having kids, huh? I had many nights like that with the furless variety. Hope it all passes without further ado. Nice that Oakley thinks its a game! Hah!
Posted by: Mary in MN | November 01, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Oh my - poor Crockett! Poor you. I'm glad it turned out to be something that should pass in a few weeks. But yikes.
Posted by: Chris | November 01, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Poor poor pup! I have never heard of this. Thanks for sharing and please keep up posted on Crockett's progress.
Posted by: Robin | November 01, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Oh, my. My family has lots of dogs and I've never heard of this. Sounds like Crockett's in for a couple bad weeks, but thank goodness it goes away.
Posted by: Mary in VA | November 02, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Please tell Crocket that Holli and I are sending "get well soon" wishes and licks! That does not sound fun at all - except for the part where it looked like a new game.
Posted by: deb | November 02, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Poor sweetie! I'm glad that it is something that will clear up though, instead of something much more serious.
Give him a pat from me, and both of you try to take it easy as much as you can.
Posted by: Bridget | November 02, 2008 at 09:17 AM
poor crockett! please give him a big hug for me.
Posted by: vanessa | November 02, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Poor darlin' boy, and poor doggie mamma too. What a scare. I hope that is passes soon.
Posted by: Melanie | November 03, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I hope he heals soon.
Posted by: LisaK | November 04, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Oh how awful for both of you. Thank goodness for your good vet. Hugs to you both.
Posted by: Jan | November 04, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Awwwwwww, CROCKETTTTTTTT. He looks a little cross-eyed, too. If it hadn't been for the Vet being Greg House, you would have been sure that C-Man was a goner. I would have thought the same. Our old Blondie had a seizure a couple of times but snapped out of it...this is just so freaky. Glad to hear that although he is still a little tilty, he can maneuver. Maybe he needs gwasses...
Posted by: Lisa S | November 19, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Sorry this comment is so far after the fact, but I'm just catching up on my blog reading. I'm very familiar with this, as our dog Cody had the same thing a few years back. Very, very scary at first. Fortunately, it seems that it's relatively benign, and I'm sure your dog is much better by now. We ended up having to carry Cody outside to pee for at least a week or so. Interestingly, his head was always tilted a bit to one side after that, and he had a very difficult time making a left turn for the rest of his life. He would make big huge circles to try and turn left, or turn in a full circle to the right, depending on the circumstance. Once we realized that he wasn't in any discomfort, and he figured out what he had to do to make adjustments, all was fine. In fact, it was a little bit amusing to watch. :) Hope your little buddy is doing well.
Posted by: Angie | January 25, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Wow. Nice knitting.
Posted by: Jan | January 27, 2011 at 07:26 PM