Anyone have good outcome with a dog diagnosed with central vestibular disease - YorkieTalk.com Forums

fifeandshaffer · 03-05-2014, 05:17 AM

My cooper is 5, in November he was hospitalized for stroke like symptoms, battery of tests were run, to rule out thyroid issues, encephalitis, toxins, liver issues, and so on, his bp was elevated he was put on bp meds, steroids which he did not respond to. He was put on a 60 day course of abx, on the off chance he may have an infection. The board cert Neuro decided with myself that further testing was not necessary at that time. We were hopeful that it was idiopathic vestibular syndrome. Cooper went home after 5 days his bp was monitored, bp meds were changed and a baby aspirin was added.
We were in a wait and see, as most dogs his age its idiopathic, but if he had another episode, it obviously would be ruled out.

Sunday cooper had another episode, his nystagmus was vertical, he again did not respond to steroids, still no infection toxins and the like present.
Cooper again spent some time in the hospital he bounces back quickly. The nuro team is confident with a recuurance within approx a 90 day period he has central vestibular disease and likey cause in a infarction
Or a tumor. Obviously a diagnosis can onky be made with an MRI. I've been contemplating if I should do the MRI or not. The reason not do it is not financial. I can more than afford the tests. It's because the Neuro team is certain that no matter whathe has either an infarction or a tumor the long term success rates are very grim.

Cooper is home, comfortable not in any pain they say. Very tired not 100% himself., but a happy nice dog. I have a consult later today with another Neuro.
I'm just unsure what I'm going to do. I'm vacillating between doing the tests or not. I see validity to both sides. If he has a tumor not much can be done. If he in fact had a stroke also not much else can be done.
Any input is appreciated
Thanks

gemy · 03-05-2014, 05:52 AM

I just want to reach out and say how sorry I am to hear about Coopers' health issues.

I think you are very wise to get a second opinion, and to see what that neuro says about his symptoms. And to wait on your decision for an MRI and see what the other specialist has to say.

I have had no experience with this condition so can not offer any advice on it.
I do have experience with MRI's and yes they are very expensive and as per your neuro, would not give any useful treatment guidance.

Sending prayers and healing thoughts to you both.

matese · 03-05-2014, 05:59 AM

sooo sorry to hear about Coopers' health issues. Please keep us up dated, I will keep cooper in my prayers,

Yorkiemom1 · 03-05-2014, 11:02 AM

What a wonderful thing God has chosen you to be Cooper's caretaker during his stay here on Earth.....you are certainly leaving no stone uturned, no expense dodged, in the search for diagnosis and treatment of this baby. Thank you for that. When it comes down to whether to get an MRI or not, with the object of expense not an issue, in my humble opinion, it just comes down to your own very personal "need to know" desire....when the results of the MRI are essentially irrelevant for the design of the treatment plan, it just becomes strictly how inquisitive you are......I have always needed to know all the unansewered questions,whether the answers were going to make any difference in the outcome or not.....I just personally do not like unanswered questions or mysteries.....over the years, it has proven to be a vary expensive flaw in my psyche.

107barney · 03-05-2014, 11:15 AM

I think you should go forward and do the MRI and spinal tap if you can afford it.

I recently had an MRI done on my 13.5 year old dog who was having some sort of neurological problem. I made the decision after being fully educated about brain tumors, namely that most are treatable. I was fully prepared, in my 13.5 year old dog, to go forward to remove a brain tumor if he had one that was surgical removable. His age did not bother me or his neurologist when we made these decisions together. I was planning to draw the line if he had an inoperable tumor (i.e. pituitary) because I was not going to do radiation. Fortunately for our dog, he did not have any abnormalities on MRI or cerebrospinal fluid. His neuro symptoms mostly have resolved and were thought to be due to an idiopathic drug reaction.

There were two neurologists on my dog's case and all the theories they had were ruled out by the test results. I never did quite get an answer which was frustrating in light of the cost and time we spent and the stress we had. But, all in all, knowing what he didn't have really helped me.

I wish you the best.

ladyjane · 03-05-2014, 06:30 PM

Hope all went well with your appointment today...

lillymae · 03-05-2014, 08:58 PM

I would do an MRI as this could be a Chiari & IF so can be treated most often with some simple meds & your baby could live a long happy life.

lillymae · 03-11-2014, 07:59 PM

Is this the same dog who last year had Rotary Nystagmus ? If yes, I would be having an MRI on this pup as this is also a symptom of Chiari.

03-05-2014, 05:17 AM	#1
fifeandshaffer YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: cherry hill, nj usa Posts: 306	Anyone have good outcome with a dog diagnosed with central vestibular disease My cooper is 5, in November he was hospitalized for stroke like symptoms, battery of tests were run, to rule out thyroid issues, encephalitis, toxins, liver issues, and so on, his bp was elevated he was put on bp meds, steroids which he did not respond to. He was put on a 60 day course of abx, on the off chance he may have an infection. The board cert Neuro decided with myself that further testing was not necessary at that time. We were hopeful that it was idiopathic vestibular syndrome. Cooper went home after 5 days his bp was monitored, bp meds were changed and a baby aspirin was added. We were in a wait and see, as most dogs his age its idiopathic, but if he had another episode, it obviously would be ruled out. Sunday cooper had another episode, his nystagmus was vertical, he again did not respond to steroids, still no infection toxins and the like present. Cooper again spent some time in the hospital he bounces back quickly. The nuro team is confident with a recuurance within approx a 90 day period he has central vestibular disease and likey cause in a infarction Or a tumor. Obviously a diagnosis can onky be made with an MRI. I've been contemplating if I should do the MRI or not. The reason not do it is not financial. I can more than afford the tests. It's because the Neuro team is certain that no matter whathe has either an infarction or a tumor the long term success rates are very grim. Cooper is home, comfortable not in any pain they say. Very tired not 100% himself., but a happy nice dog. I have a consult later today with another Neuro. I'm just unsure what I'm going to do. I'm vacillating between doing the tests or not. I see validity to both sides. If he has a tumor not much can be done. If he in fact had a stroke also not much else can be done. Any input is appreciated Thanks

03-05-2014, 05:52 AM	#2
gemy YT 2000 Club Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Huntsville,Ont,Canaada Posts: 12,340 Blog Entries: 2	I just want to reach out and say how sorry I am to hear about Coopers' health issues. I think you are very wise to get a second opinion, and to see what that neuro says about his symptoms. And to wait on your decision for an MRI and see what the other specialist has to say. I have had no experience with this condition so can not offer any advice on it. I do have experience with MRI's and yes they are very expensive and as per your neuro, would not give any useful treatment guidance. Sending prayers and healing thoughts to you both. __________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018

03-05-2014, 05:59 AM	#3
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 68,183	sooo sorry to hear about Coopers' health issues. Please keep us up dated, I will keep cooper in my prayers, __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog

03-05-2014, 11:15 AM	#5
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	I think you should go forward and do the MRI and spinal tap if you can afford it. I recently had an MRI done on my 13.5 year old dog who was having some sort of neurological problem. I made the decision after being fully educated about brain tumors, namely that most are treatable. I was fully prepared, in my 13.5 year old dog, to go forward to remove a brain tumor if he had one that was surgical removable. His age did not bother me or his neurologist when we made these decisions together. I was planning to draw the line if he had an inoperable tumor (i.e. pituitary) because I was not going to do radiation. Fortunately for our dog, he did not have any abnormalities on MRI or cerebrospinal fluid. His neuro symptoms mostly have resolved and were thought to be due to an idiopathic drug reaction. There were two neurologists on my dog's case and all the theories they had were ruled out by the test results. I never did quite get an answer which was frustrating in light of the cost and time we spent and the stress we had. But, all in all, knowing what he didn't have really helped me. I wish you the best. __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

03-05-2014, 06:30 PM	#6
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,466	Hope all went well with your appointment today... __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

03-05-2014, 11:02 AM	#4
Yorkiemom1 Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 9,462	What a wonderful thing God has chosen you to be Cooper's caretaker during his stay here on Earth.....you are certainly leaving no stone uturned, no expense dodged, in the search for diagnosis and treatment of this baby. Thank you for that. When it comes down to whether to get an MRI or not, with the object of expense not an issue, in my humble opinion, it just comes down to your own very personal "need to know" desire....when the results of the MRI are essentially irrelevant for the design of the treatment plan, it just becomes strictly how inquisitive you are......I have always needed to know all the unansewered questions,whether the answers were going to make any difference in the outcome or not.....I just personally do not like unanswered questions or mysteries.....over the years, it has proven to be a vary expensive flaw in my psyche.

03-05-2014, 08:58 PM	#7
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	I would do an MRI as this could be a Chiari & IF so can be treated most often with some simple meds & your baby could live a long happy life.

03-11-2014, 07:59 PM	#8
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	Is this the same dog who last year had Rotary Nystagmus ? If yes, I would be having an MRI on this pup as this is also a symptom of Chiari.