Inflammation Disease in the brain...

[TikiShmuey]

Just joined this list and checking in with others for similar experiences. Furthermore, I wanted to share in case someone else had the same issues. I am bi-coastal and have an office in both Santa Monica and New York City. This is one of the reasons I went with a smaller breed as I have been bringing them with me to NYC every other month for a period of a week or less. They seem to really enjoy it - especially the attention that travel brings. They get the full treatment, doggie steps in hotel, room amenities and walks around the city. Unfortunately I found my little one (3.8 lbs) on the floor of the bathroom when i returned to the room last Tuesday. I immediately rushed her to the 24 hour pet hospital for immediate evaluation and treatment. They finally just released her after 4.5 days and after being treated and evaluated by a specialist in dog neurology. Truly the finest treatment possible in this city. Back story is that she had a very small cluster of seizures 6 years ago when she was a puppy and was treated with Phenobarbital. Her behavior changed for sure. I didn't feel like treating her with heavy hallucinogens so I brought her to a specialist in Chicago who treated her with steroids after being given an MRI and spinal tap. He diagnosed it as an inflammation disease and treated appropriately. It totally cleared up all issues and we had no occurrences these last 6 years since that time. Back to current time, my little one again was treated again with imaging using an MRI again followed by a spinal tap. They found severe bruising on her right side of her skull - not sure what caused that - could be a seizure then a fall off the bed or perhaps banging her head against the marble bathroom floor trying to get up... as a result she has head trauma, swelling in the brain and bruising. There may be a touch of encephalitis in there as well. She has a severe case of vestibular torticollis - or severe head tilt and vertigo. All other testing came back fine. She is alert and can eat however she has no control of her head and body and is prone to roll. She is on a long list of medications now including anti-anxiety and anti-nausea in addition to her steroids. To top things off, she scratched her eye so she has an ointment to be applied daily. Anyone have any similar situation? If so, what was the recovery period? Has anyone tried other treatments such as acupuncture, etc. Any info is helpful - I can't tell you how much I love these dogs. Meanwhile her sister (from birth) seems to be having some trouble approaching her and has been a bit standoffish - most likely because she can't figure out whats happening. I'm grounded in NYC and can't bring her back on a plane until her injuries get better due to cabin pressure concerns. Thanks all.

[BorderKelpie]

Wow, Poor baby!
I have no advice for you as I have little experience with this sort of thing (did have an epileptic dog when I was a kid, but nothing like what you're going through).

I am sorry for you and your poor baby, wishing you both all the best.

[lillymae]

Have you ever been told your pup has Chiari ? as the head tilt you mentioned is a symptom of Chiari. The "roll" ? Chiari pups often get stuck on their backs like an upside down turtle & have trouble righting themselves. Does your pup do this ?

[TikiShmuey]

Appreciate the suggestion that it could be something like Chiari, however she isn't really displaying those symptoms and she just turned 7 yo last Thursday. The easiest was to understand it is as an EXTREME case of vertigo. So much so that she will continually look for the horizon to stabilize herself. If her head is resting on something or someone then she is calm - if you pick her up, she will violently wiggle from side to side in attempt to gain stability. The neurologist specialist believes its directly related to the brain swell, so its all about how long it will take before that subsides. The poor little girl has to wait it out - while i continue to administer steroids and anti-nausea. She slept through her first night back home and her sister comes to check on her from time to time however overall she stays away i believe due to not understanding what is happening. I will accept all your prayers - can't tell you how much this little one means to me. Again, thanks for the suggestion - keep em coming anyone that may have experienced similar conditions.

[lillymae]

Is there an update ?

[TikiShmuey]

Yes so sorry about not providing an update - didn't seem there were many involved with the thread so I assumed that there wasn't much interest - thanks for the concern lillymae and I realize this post could also help with future cases in other dogs. I had to remain in NYC for 10 days after the original posting until her brain swelling subsided enough to handle the cabin pressure while in flight back home to CA. Thank G-d she reacted well to her array of medication which included Prednisone (steroids) to reduce the swelling, Trazadone for anxiety as she was suffering from severe vertigo as a result of her trauma, Omeprazole for gestro relief as she wasn't able to keep food down, Metronidazole for diarrhea as a result of the digestion issues and Cerenia which is an anti-nausea as her world was constantly spinning. Its a lot of medication for a 3.5 lb doggie. Those meds lasted a full week after her release from the hospital. Some 45 days later, she is still on the sterioid treatment and continues to regain her strength. She was able to go up stairs at about one month after her release and just recently started to go down stairs. She still uses the ramp up and down the bed as opposed to the steps her sister continues to use. The vet diagnosed her condition as Vestibular Syndrome, Vertigo and/or Encephalitis and the symptoms of severe head trauma which we're not sure how she experienced other than the fact she lost her standing with the Vestibular or had a seizure and wound up continually banging her head while trying to right herself. No other idea how she could have bruised her head so much - perhaps a fall from the bed and then the Vestibular affects hit - won't ever know as it all occurred while I was away. The best news is that she is almost back to normal - she still has side effects from the prednisone dosage (lethargic, slight depression, increase of eating and drinking and then urinating and defecating. She wound up seeing an amazing Canine Neurologist in Manhattan and I'm thankful this occurred in a city that has some of the best medical professionals in the country. I experienced a top notch Neurologist in Chicago as well in case anyone needs a rec.

[gemy]

I just wanted to say thank-you for sharing your story. I can offer no pertinent experience or advice, but wanted you to know, others on this list are thinking about you and your pup. I do so hope her medical condition(s) resolve through the wonderfull care you are taking of her.


Yes I have used acupuncture on both myself and my dogs. One dog did very well on it, as well as the hu/man (me), one dog not so much. I think if your dog is receptive to the treatment, acupuncture can do amazing on pain relief. How-ever I used it for a shoulder injury, a back injury, and a neck injury, not so much with brain issues.

[Cherie6446]

Just now reading this thread. Poor baby. So much to go through. I'm glad she is doing better and thank goodness you found wonderful vets to care for your little girl.

[lillymae]

Oh poor baby girl. Such trauma for such a tiny thing. I'll be Praying for a full recovery for your baby. Thank you for the update & please keep us updated on her progress .FYI, Omeprizole also helps with brain swelling. Have a Merry Christmas.

[matese]

3 years ago my then 15 y/o girl (now past) woke up one morning, she was acting strange, head tilt, off balance. I recognized it as a vertigo issue as I suffer from time to time with vertigo. I didn't know dogs could have vertigo but that what it looked like to me. I rushed her to my vet who performed acupuncture on her. My vet could not guarantee me the procedure would eliminate the head tilt, there was a possibility she could remain with it. One treatment my baby improved and head tilt was also gone, she lived for 2 more years, vertigo never returned. If my vet felt acupuncture was needed for any issue I would not hesitate to have it performed. I saw the results of the procedure kick in almost immediately, she was steady on her feet, head tilt was gone by the evening. So sorry your little baby is going through all this, it breaks our hearts to see these critters suffer. I pray she stays on the road to recovery.

[Doodlebug]

Poor baby. Thank God she has you to love her and provide the best care possible. I'm sorry you thought no one was concerned about your lil baby. We are always concerned. She has been through so much. Please give her hugs and kisses from me and Daisy and Teddy Bear.

[Juliealfies mum]

Just sen this thread, my goodness your little one and you have been through a lot, I hope she is on the mend.

[yorkiemini]

My previous Yorkie had necrotizing enchalitis and was treat by a neurologist for a out 5 years. It was diagnoses when she was about 6 years old and with a lot,of care, $$ and medication she lives to the age of almost 12. She died of renal failure probably precipitated in some part by the high doses of prednisone and other medications. She lives a great life and was so very loved.

In her case it was the autoimmune type and probably a heritiary issues.

So proud of you for the great care and love you are giving your baby!