Vestibular Disease

Just like humans, our canine friends face health issues as they grow older, and one of the common issues among older dogs is the vestibular disease. We hope that this post helps to raise awareness about this condition so that timely intervention and treatment(s) can be provided.

What is the vestibular system?

The vestibular system consists of components located in the brain, inner and middle ear. It is a system that helps to maintain normal balance and coordination in dogs.

What is vestibular disease?

Vestibular disease, sometimes called “old dog disease”, refers to a sudden onset of disorientation and loss of balance. This neurological dysfunction can happen to any dog but it is more common among older dogs.

What are the symptoms to look out for?

Some of the common symptoms include head tilt, nausea and nystagmus (involuntary flickering of the eye). Head tilt is one of the reasons why some eventually become reluctant to stand or walk as they have trouble getting up. Even if the dog manages to get up, he/she will tend to lean or fall in the direction of the head tilt. Other common signs to look out for are their lack of appetite or reluctance to drink, lack of coordination and loss of balance (i.e., falling down more often than usual). As the symptoms are rather similar to that of stroke, it is always advisable to seek medical consultation as soon as you notice these symptoms in your dog.

What are the causes?

There are several possible causes of the vestibular disease. It could be due to a middle or inner ear infection; or it could also be a brain issue (such as injury, infection or tumor). Some medications that are toxic to the ears could also cause this. However, most cases are often diagnosed as “idiopathic” as no known cause could be identified.

Is there a treatment or cure?

While there is no known cure to the vestibular disease, appropriate treatment could still be provided if the underlying cause can be found. Medication can also be prescribed to ease and treat the symptoms, where possible. For example, IV fluids could be administered if the dog is unable to walk and eat on its own, and other medication that can help to treat nausea could be prescribed as well. The good news is that this condition is not fatal and most dogs will recover completely within two to three weeks. However, the bad news is that there is a chance that it will happen again even after a full recovery.

How can I help my dog during a vestibular attack?

Try to keep your dog comfortable as he/she rests and recovers. Try to keep water and food within reach but if your dog is struggling to stand up, consider feeding him/her instead. It will also be helpful to keep the area, where your dog is resting, clear of obstacles to prevent them from knocking into things and falling down especially since they are experiencing balance problems during the bout of vestibular attack. It is also good to have prescribed medication for anti-nausea, anti-dizziness and appetite stimulants at home if your dog has a history of vestibular attacks as they may come in handy.

We have also learnt that frankincense essential oil helps. While it is generally used for humans for brain/balancing, it is also safe for dogs. Based on our experience, using it on dogs on a regular basis,even after they have recovered, helps to reduce the occurrence of vestibular attacks and they tend to recover in a shorter time.

References:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vestibular-disease-in-dogs

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/vestibular-disease-dogshttps://www.matthews.carolinavet.com/site/pet-health-blog/2020/06/30/causes-of-seizures-in-dogs-copy

Written by: Shu Hua

Fish Farm Dogs

 Remember the dogs that grew up on fish food? Read here. 

Everyone has an oasis in their hearts. It could be a playground, a park, a room, anywhere. For a few of us in the stray feeding team, this oasis is a fish farm on which ten dogs reside. This peaceful hideout might not be the best place for the dogs to live in, but there are kind workers living there who care for the dogs and feed them, and there is something magical about the place that heals the soul and keeps the volunteers going back. It is as if time has stood still at the fish farm and one is transported to paradise.

Hope Dog Rescue volunteers have been visiting the fish farm monthly for years. During each visit, we would feed the dogs and apply frontline for them. Some time ago, the fish farm workers informed us that they could manage and did not need our help, so we stopped going over. Recently, they contacted us for help again so we restarted our monthly fish farm visits, until Covid came. Due to the numerous restrictions, we were unable to visit the fish farm for more than half a year. As we were worried that the workers might have difficulties buying food for the doggies and we could not visit the fish farm for some time, we gave the workers a huge stash of kibbles and canned food before the restrictions kicked in.

For the past few months, we have been checking with the workers whether we could visit again, but they mentioned that there were still many controls in place. We really missed the doggies and could not wait to visit them again. Finally, during the new year, the workers informed us that we could visit. This was such great news for the new year.

Armed with the Christmas goodie bags, big bags of kibbles, frontline, medication, hearts full of anticipation and love, and boxes full of cooked food for the doggies, we set out on our trip to the fish farm. The first thing we noticed was that the familiar happy faces rushing out to greet us and queue for food were missing. It was so sad. Where did the doggies go? Years ago, the fish farm was very different. Before we turned into the fish farm, there would be friendly doggies greeting us outside with wagging tails and sloppy kisses. Concrete slabs had not been put down yet and we had to trod on mud paths to reach the doggies. Now, the fish farm is cleaner and more modern, but some things remain unchanged: the tranquil air, the kind workers and the adorable dogs.

We thought that perhaps the doggies were hiding due to the rain, so we parked our cars and went to the sheltered area where another pack of doggies were at. This pack of doggies is well taken care of by the workers and very chubby and cute. They are quite wary of strangers though and we are only able to apply frontline for them with the help of the kind workers. There are five dogs here: Ah Bui, Xiao Hei, Jimmy, Tiger aka Puli and Lucky aka Shuai Ge. We spent the morning giving out Christmas goodie bags to the workers, mixing the food in the shelter, feeding the cuties treats, applying frontline for them and being amused by their antics.

Not forgetting the other pack of doggies, we opened our umbrellas and went out to look for them. Aha! There they were, happy and cute as usual. Guess they were just hiding from the rain earlier on. The poor doggie that was skin and bones was missing though. Segar, the kind worker who helped to feed the doggies, informed us that the poor skinny doggie had passed away during the circuit breaker period. So sad… we had intended to give him an extra portion of food as he was so skinny. He was always so sweet and we really looked forward to meeting him again. It is so heartbreaking to think that he must have endured so much pain on his own prior to his departure, and that we did not manage to send him for treatment before he passed away. It was likely that he had suffered from heartworm or kidney failure, given that he had a hearty appetite but was still skin and bones. Sorry dear boy... sorry that we did not send you to the vet earlier T___T We hope that he is happy and pain free on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

Besides feeding the pack of dogs outside and applying frontline for them, we also brought ear cleaning solutions to clean their ears as a few of them suffered from hematoma before. We left the solution with Segar so that he could clean their ears regularly. Hopefully it helps to keep their ears clean and free from bacteria.

It was a wet and cold morning but our hearts were warm and toasty from the smiles of the workers and doggies. We were happy to have filled the doggies’ bellies and to have applied flea and tick preventatives for them. Dear fish farm doggies, till we meet again. Please stay safe and healthy in the meantime. xoxo  

Sunday the Miracle

This is the story of Sunday, the lost dog who found her miracle after a long ordeal.

In 2012, we rescued an adolescent stray off the streets. She was estimated to be around 4 years old. Even though it was just 4 years on the streets, no doubt she led a sad life up till then as a defenseless street dog.

We brought her to the vet for a check-up, where she was found to have suffered from a miscarriage. She was later warded for treatment and observation. Life was just beginning to get better for this little fighter.

Alas, Sunday managed to escape when the vet carelessly left the main door open. For 12 whole days, she was nowhere to be found. In all our years of rescue work, we never had any dog go missing for so long.   Many dog lovers followed her posts and the pet community banded together to help locate her. Everyone was so worried. A few even wrote in to offer to contribute to the reward in order to increase the chances of finding her.  Her reward climbed from $200 to $2000. It was a trying period for all of us, yet touching at the same time.

On the 8th day, a friend, Chiew Guat, called us and said: "If you find her, I will adopt her."

It was as though Sunday heard her words. On the 12th day, we finally found her, albeit in a weakened state. She was again warded for a few days for observation and subsequently adopted into her forever home with Chiew Guat. All of us rejoiced!

And so, Sunday led a happy and well-loved life. She enjoyed going out with her family and hanging out with her dog sibling. Life was good for the last 8 years.

Towards the end of last year, Sunday developed tumors in her stomach – in fact, there were so many of them that she could not be operated on. Chiew Guat spared no expenses in treating her and keeping her comfortable – massages and acupuncture etc., she had it all.

And this year, Sunday was diagnosed with vestibular disease, a condition common in senior dogs. Yet the feisty girl fought on.

Sadly, her tumors ruptured in the end, causing massive internal bleeding. Sunday passed on peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Much as we are devastated by the news, we would like to thank Chiew Guat and family for loving her and caring so much for her up till her last breath. Sunday continues to lead her best life over the rainbow bridge.

Sunday's rescue story: http://hopedogrescue.blogspot.com/2012/02/vagabond-sunday.html

Written by : Alina Tee