Go read this link. The dog is fasted, as it explains, and then fed a fatty meal and tested again two hours later.

Anyway, this link explains it in detail.

How is a Bile Acid test performed, and what does it mean?

Oh yes, I have heard of that. I have not slept good the last few night, guess my brain is not working.

Believe me! I understand.:)

When I pick her up, her head goes one way, front feet go another way, and hind legs stick out. It's almost like a fish out of water, flopping around. I just feel so sorry for her. She is even closer to me than she was. (and she was like my shadow before) Poor little girl. :animal-pa :animal-pa

Sorry to hear Raindrop is not doing well. Please ask your vet about GME. It won't hurt to do a Bile Acids Test on her (checks her liver function), but I feel an xray of her skull will give him more insight as to what is causing her symptoms.

And honestly, as you live near an ER Vet... I would take her there tonight, ASAP. My heart is breaking for you. Please take her in to see a vet now. This is an emergency.

This seems to be a pretty good article on GME:

Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

This pup is in critical condition and needs to be seen by a vet ASAP. Read later, please take her to the vet now.

I am just now reading of Raindrop's serious problem. I know this must be frightening! You have gotten some good advice from members already, not sure what more I can add, especially some of the thorough responses from KJC. I think the vet's original guess of vestibule syndrome is probably a good one. If he is thinking strongly on that, that is probably why he is going more towards the "wait and see" approach which is fine for 72 hours....but tomorrow is Friday and I think it is time for Raindrop to get a specialist involved -- a neurologist. I would not want to continue the watch/wait throughout the weekend -- too hard then to contact the specialists.

Has Raindrop had ear infections? Was their evidence of an ear infection now? They often come before VS. I would want a BAT done, but I am not sure they would want to put her through that at this time. She would have to fast, get blood drawn, then eat a special meal at the vet's and they would keep her for a couple more hours and redraw blood. That is the test done to see if liver problems are likely but normally with her symptoms the vet will want her eating small amounts fairly often. A neurologist would probably want to see some other blood tests and get an xray/CT of the head. Even though it might be expensive, that would be my next move. I would tell your current vet, that you cannot let her continue through the weekend without a confirmed diagnosis and would like to get a neurologist referral from him. Hopefully you will have one close.

Praying Raindrop does have Vestibule Syndrome or another curable condition and recovers quickly and completely! The pictures just about brought tears to my eyes -- such a sweet little baby obviously not doing too well right now.

I just call the ER and they said to bring her in, but it did sound like that V. Syndrome. Will let you know when I get back. Thanks, DArlene and Raindrop

ER vet is fine to reassure yourself for tonight but I would still want the name of a specialist in your area that deals well with neurological issues. Just in case it is not vestibule syndrome (which it really sounds like to me) you want to know you can quickly get in to see a neurologist. IMO.

Praying for little Raindrop to make it through this horrible ordeal, and prayers for strength for Darlene...

Please ask the ER vet about the Dramamine. If she has vestibular syndrome the dramamine will make her feel better quickly, if the Dramamine doesn't seem to work then probably not VS.

We are home. Poor Raindrop has 3 things. Horner's syndrome, (like Bells Palsy) Malassezzia Otitis and Vestibular syndrome. Doc tested some stuff from her ear and said it was that Otitis, or as she explained to me, yeast infection in the ear. The Horner's syndrome is the right side facial nerve inflammation, and the other is the Vertigo. Raindrop got a shot for the nausa, I have ear drops twice a day, and I have a pill ( 1/4 tab) every morning (Meclizine, 25 mg.) She gave me sheets with info on all the stuff. She explained the head over to one side, may stay that way, but it will take awhile to see. I may not have had all the blood work done tonight, but I feel a little bit better that something was done. Poor Raindrop has a bandage on her leg, but is sleeping now. She's lucky that way. Think I am going to follow her. Keep the prayers up for her. She is not out of the woods yet. Thank you all for being here for me.

Please call her & ask about the Dramamine. She's dizzy & more then likely why she threw up. Nausia med will not help with dizziness.

The medicine she gave me is for vertigo, or dizzy. It's called meclizine. She did mention that. (the dizzy part) My first doctor didn't even look in her ears, or do any tests.

Does it seem to be working ?

I'm glad you took her in last night. How is she feeling this morning?

Just checking in to see how Raindrop is doing this morning. I hope and pray the medicine will help her and she is on the road to recovery!

Raindrop is doing pretty good today. I am keeping her on the A/D and she is eating that fine. Even tho it is soft food, it takes her a little while to eat it, with her tongue sticking out. But she loves it. She doesn't seem to be going in circles so much today. Her head is still tilted, but if that is they way it has to be, then so be it. I just love her so much. She slept very well with me last night. (Which was good, because I am exhusted) I think for me it's more mental, and not gettting any sleep. I gave her the drops in her ears, then rubbed them like the ER Doctor said. I believe there is hope for her, she just may not be like she was. As long as I don't lose her, it's fine with me.
Thank you all for being concerned, and sending prayers to my little Raindrop. You are all a GREAT bunch of people on here. Love you all. Darlene and Raindrop.

Hi Darlene. I'm glad Raindrop slept well. I hope you did too. I hope Raindrop gets better and better each day. Sending good wishes and prayers to you both.

Thank You so much. I am trying to keep a positive attitude. I know everyone on here knows how much we can love our little babies, and I sure do. There is something about her, that fills my heart. (not that I don't love my other babies)
She is watching tv with my granddaughter right now. (cartoons) I pray everyday she will keep on improving. Darlene and Raindrop

I'm bettiing she will be like she was. I think it will just take some time. She has a wonderful mommy taking care of her and loving her, too.:)

:thumbup: Thank You. She also has a lot of friends on here praying for her too.

vestibular disease
 

I have just read the posts about your sweet little baby. She is so sweet, I hope and pray that she can overcome her health problems.
I am a bit familiar with vestibular disease. I have been caring for a 16 year old lab mix that was diagnosed with it in September. When she first had it, the symptoms were very similar to a stroke...she would hang her head to the side and walk in circles. We were told that the medication would take time to work, usually seeing some results in 2 weeks. Being that she is 16 and with other health issues, she has improved somewhat, but she still does tend to lean one way. When we stopped her meds after a while, she had another flare up, so we have had her on the meds for a while. The first time she was diagnosed, she did not have the typical rapid eye movement. The second time it flared up, she did have the rapid eye movement and leaning. But it is most common in older dogs as she is 16.

Great to hear she's improving! I'll keep praying for a quick and complete recovery. Hopefully, with her being so young, and you catching it quickly will improve the odds considerably for a total recovery. :)

Sorry to hear about your baby. That is what I heard too, that it was more common in older dogs. Poor Raindrop will be 3 years old, January 4th. The ER doctor said her head may stay like that, tilted. I really don't mind, as long as she is not suffering, or in any kind of pain. I just love her so much, as long as I can still have her, will be fine with me. I didn't see Raindrops eyes do that rapid movement either. Do you have her on meds now? What kind? If she needs to, then so be it. I have to take meds for my cholestrol, so we will both be taking meds.

Darlene -- glad to hear you have some answers for Raindrop and medicines to start helping. I will keep her in my prayers for continued recovery. Did the doctor have any theories about why this hit Raindrop so early in life? Probably one of those unanswered questions. (Don't worry about an individual reply if there really is no answer, as I suspect). Hope you are getting some rest now too. I know the worry and stress can sap your reserves and leave you feeling pretty drained. We do love our babies and the thought of them being in such danger is nerve-wrecking! So -- take care of yourself too!

Taking Raindrop to see Santa today. Hopefully I will have some pictures for you. (If she will hold still for him)
She is doing pretty much the same. Of course I am spoiling her like crazy. She ate breakfast, and took her pill. Let's see how she does with Sant.
Thanks for all the prayers. Darlene and Raindrop

How sweet that would be. Hopefully, you will begin seeing some improvement over the next week.

Wow -- she must be doing better if you are taking her out to see Santa!