My Yorkie circles 24/7 and has been since Aug 2008

[salshine]

Does anyone else have this issue or ever heard of it? I have taken Chewy to numberous Vets and Specialists in Missouri, Kansas and Florida and no one can come up with any answers. I have done extensive research online and read books, etc. and I'm assuming it's either Cognitive Disfunction or something to do with his inner ear....as he always circles to the left. I also presume it couldn't be Vestibular Disease as it's been almost a year and we're still circling! Plus I never noticed the eye nostigamus that Vets say to look for. If anyone shares this same situation with their baby...please post! I figure we have to be our own doctors these days and be proactive. I'll never give up on my Chewbud. Note: He seems completely content circling all day & all evening every day, he eats well and does his business on his walks each day...so he's almost normal (despite that he's fairly anti-social these days, but I attribute that to being 1) 15 yrs old; 2) blind and 3) deaf. Any comments would be much appreciated!

[mkawczak]

I remeber a show on the Dog Whisperer. He said it was anxiety/obsessive compulsive disorder. I would try to find a dog behavoirist in your area. Maybe they can help. Good Luck.

[salshine]

Originally Posted by mkawczak

I remeber a show on the Dog Whisperer. He said it was anxiety/obsessive compulsive disorder. I would try to find a dog behavoirist in your area. Maybe they can help. Good Luck.

Now that's one I hadn't thought of! It would be great if that were the problem! I'll begin my search for a behaviorist right away...thanks so much!

[ReesiesDad]

Being blind and deaf is enough to cause anxiety in anyone/any dog. Familiar smells and gentle treatment help ease that.

I have a friend who is epileptic and he claims that in the early stages he found himself looking to the left to the extent that he would turn right around, to the left. I don't know how that could be tested in a dog, but you have to balance the load of a vet cost and how many years Chewie has left. 15 years is a long time for a dog. I've noticed the start of cataracts on my Cindy, and she's 11. She's been pretty grumpy for the last year.

[manolos mom]

This is sometimes a sign of Liver Shunt..Ask your vet for an Acid Bile Test..

[salshine]

Originally Posted by ReesiesDad

Being blind and deaf is enough to cause anxiety in anyone/any dog. Familiar smells and gentle treatment help ease that.

I have a friend who is epileptic and he claims that in the early stages he found himself looking to the left to the extent that he would turn right around, to the left. I don't know how that could be tested in a dog, but you have to balance the load of a vet cost and how many years Chewie has left. 15 years is a long time for a dog. I've noticed the start of cataracts on my Cindy, and she's 11. She's been pretty grumpy for the last year.

ReesiesDad: Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Your absolutely right about being both deaf and blind and I appreciate your suggestions (familiar smells) and of course the gentle treatment is always a given for my little buddy. It's hard when they start to loose their sight, isn't it? Your heart just aches for them. Thanks again for taking the time to post your thoughts...much appreciated.

[salshine]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

This is sometimes a sign of Liver Shunt..Ask your vet for an Acid Bile Test..

Manolos Mom: Oh my, now that's something that definitely hadn't crossed my mind. Thank you for your comments...I shall look up what a liver shunt is right away. Bless you.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

This is sometimes a sign of Liver Shunt..Ask your vet for an Acid Bile Test..

I agree. Circling is one of the classic symptoms of a liver shunt. Does he have any other symptoms? They are listed here:

Portosystemic Shunts FAQ

He needs a bile acids test:

PSVA and MVD Research Summary

[kalina82]

you said he's 15 right? i really doubt its liver shunt at this stage of the game, especially since he's been doing it for a year now with no other problems.

you said you don't think its vestibular disease right?

does he have a head tilt? do his eyes do anything weird? i know you said you haven't noticed nystagmus but have you noticed anything weird with the pupils, or do the eyes tend to look in one direction for periods of time? does he ever fall over? does he walk on his knuckles at anytime? if you were to stand him up and flip his paw over onto the knuckles does he quickly correct himself or does he leave it there? does he ever appear to be motion sick? do you ever notice any facial ticks or nerve ticks anywhere else?

[wemple2]

I agree, at 15 years old I would doubt a liver shunt. I would think maybe something circulatory or possibly anxiety from being both blind and deaf. Bless his little heart, and yours for taking such wonderful care of your little man. Does he circle even while being walked...on leash? Give Chewy an extra kiss from me and Winston!

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by kalina82

you said he's 15 right? i really doubt its liver shunt at this stage of the game, especially since he's been doing it for a year now with no other problems.

you said you don't think its vestibular disease right?

does he have a head tilt? do his eyes do anything weird? i know you said you haven't noticed nystagmus but have you noticed anything weird with the pupils, or do the eyes tend to look in one direction for periods of time? does he ever fall over? does he walk on his knuckles at anytime? if you were to stand him up and flip his paw over onto the knuckles does he quickly correct himself or does he leave it there? does he ever appear to be motion sick? do you ever notice any facial ticks or nerve ticks anywhere else?

Gosh, I missed that he was 15!

[salshine]

Originally Posted by kalina82

you said he's 15 right? i really doubt its liver shunt at this stage of the game, especially since he's been doing it for a year now with no other problems.

you said you don't think its vestibular disease right?

does he have a head tilt? do his eyes do anything weird? i know you said you haven't noticed nystagmus but have you noticed anything weird with the pupils, or do the eyes tend to look in one direction for periods of time? does he ever fall over? does he walk on his knuckles at anytime? if you were to stand him up and flip his paw over onto the knuckles does he quickly correct himself or does he leave it there? does he ever appear to be motion sick? do you ever notice any facial ticks or nerve ticks anywhere else?

Kalina: Wow, you must be a Veterinarian, yourself...either that or you have experiences what I'm describing? Thanks for your thoughtfulness in asking the questions you posted. Here are my answers: 1) I don't think it's Vestibular cuz Vet says will only last 2 weeks on average. 2) Yes, he has a head tilt to his left. 3) The only peculiar thing about his eyes is it takes him longer to focus in on me...I think most likely due to his near-blindedness (he can see shadows and can't differentiate depth). 4) Yes, he falls over alot...in fact, I have to really spot him while walking, and generally have to hold him while he eats and drinks otherwise he'll fall on his left side. 5) Never noticed knuckle-walking, but will watch for this. 6) Knuckle to Paw flip - He corrects himself fairly quickly. 7) Motion Sick - not really since he doesn't vomit. However, he certainly shows signs of dizziness after circling 1,000+ revolutions! 8) I don't ever notice any facial/nerve ticks other than his legs tremble whiles he's asleep. Well, what are you thinking?! I certainly appreciate any insight you can bring...thanks Kalina!