My dog is my best friend....

[datzenmike]

My dog is getting on and has over the last year or so slowed down a bit. He's always willing to chase the ball. I taught him to bring it back and put in my hand. (makes it easier for me) He always used to run back with it and could keep that up until your arm is sore. The last years he trots back with it and now after a dozen throws will walk back and I know he's had enough. He eats only dry kibble (Pedigree adult)  and water. Has regular trips to the back yard. Always wants out in the winter and if out always wants in. In the summer he never want in. I dip my finger in my morning coffee and he licks that.

 

I guess you can see where this is going... Today I came home from work and he was waiting to go outside. When he got up he was unsteady on his feet. Had trouble with the steps off the patio and staggers. It hasn't gone away with me walking him around the yard. I don't notice the front worse than the back or one side worse than the other. There are no tremors, he just seems unsteady like he's been drinking.

 

Anyone know what's up? Stroke? He can't get into anything when I'm at work. Has water in his bowl so not dehydrated. Not slobbering.

[elmerfudpucker]

plants? soreness? front and back legs have issue? check ears, teeth and gums, nose needs to be cold and wet, if pain try a low dose bayer in a treat. Emma gets them when she is sore or it is real cold. As far as dog food I use Taste of the Wild, its grain free, bit high but I use alot less and the poo is much smaller. Lots of dogs don't do well with grains, many rashes and other issues stop with good food. I would prefer to go back to raw tho.

[Guest Rick-rat]

Did he find some pot? My dog was like that when she got into some. How old is your dog

[datzenmike]

He's had this food for years unless it's something developed with age. ..and it's a sudden onset not gradual. Appears fine other than the balance. Good point about pot, but not a chance he got any, none in the house. While I'm away he is restricted to only two rooms. Both are child proofed in fact the whole house is that way. Hasn't and doesn't get into the garbage pail..

 

Thanks for reply Don.

[Guest Rick-rat]

Sorry to hear this, hope you can get him taken care of

[datzenmike]

Probably old age. We're all heading that way.

[DatWifey]

I'm with Elmer on trying a little pain reliever.  See if it seems to help at all, and just slowly start picking off options of what it could be.  Food allergies are known to develop over time, but that does seem to be really sudden for an allergy.  But, you could try boiling up ground turkey, or even a whole chicken and serving the boiled meat with plain rice.  When our big guy got sick last March I fed him chicken and rice for weeks to try to get him to bounce back.  He was beyond help, but it was all that he would eat at that point... not even his beloved raw diet he'd been on for years prior to getting sick.

 

Hope it's something just temporary :hmm:

[dr.feltersnatch]

did he poop? if he did was it normal? i would imagine if he got into something he shouldnt have it would be trying to work its way out. is there a vets office still open near you, maybe give them a call and see if they can give you better advice. 

[thisismatt]

Take him to the vet, seriously.  Our (my wife's) cat, Calypso, of 16+ years started eating less & less, not drinking as much water, not being playful, sleeping more than normal, etc.  At first we didn't think much of it, but after a while it became pretty apparent something was wrong.  He started to get a foul odor from his mouth and we took him to the vet for a diagnosis of kidney failure :(  If we had caught it earlier we could have maybe changed his diet and had him around for a few more years, but as it was we were going to have to give him subcutaneous IV's of fluid every day (sticking a large needle into the nape of his neck and holding him down for ~10 minutes every day as the fluids went in).  We tried it two days and it was just too much, too sad to handle.  We had someone come to the house to put him down peacefully with the surroundings and people he knew and loved...just last April :(

 

[datzenmike]

He pooped a pissed normally. Vet asked about the pot also.

[mrbigtanker]

How old is the dog.

[MicroMachinery]

What breed of dog?

[Seeker > 620 KC]

I agree with Mr Big...age? What breed(s)? Labs and Shephards develop joint diseases and severe arthritis in old age.  Sounds like he is a male...does he have any swollen parts on his abdomen like he swallowed something, or maybe a tumor has grown under a heavy coat?   What is his size/approx. weight?  I can tell you are seriously concerned old friend, it's not like you to leave out the details ;)

[RTB]

Could it be arthritis? I remember my old basset hound late in his life couldnt even jump onto his favorite couch. Might just need a supplement for his/her joints.

[tr8er]

Hilarious about the vet asking aboot the pot.  

 

This sounds crazy to some, so choose your own path, but a Natural pet doc saved our dogs life I think.  He wouldn't drink water or move beyond 1 or 2 times a day.  for about a week we were freaking out.  Something was toxic in his system, and Tumeric in his water supported his liver, and basically brought him back.  Crazy part, after mixing it in the water, Our dog would drink it, after refusing normal water.  

 

Well, there could be something as simple as a sickness, or an ear infection throwing off balance.  I'm putting my dollar on a quick recovery if bowel function is normal.  

[tr8er]

Check his/her lymph nodes.  Just search onliine for their locations.  They tell a great deal regarding infection, and viral issues.  

[datzenmike]

Over 12. Has lab coat but Rotty markings but not the Rotty build or head shape. Ears like Shepard but soft and floppy. Tail was docked in poor attempt to make it look Rotty.

 

[datzenmike]

Arthritis? He moves without effort but seems unsteady. Doesn't appear stiff or sore, no limping, not panting like in any pain.

[datzenmike]

Nose is very cold.

[DatWifey]

I'm with those guys who have said to take him into the vet.  See if you can't have a full blood panel, etc. done on him and see what they can find.  We finally had an ultrasound done on our big guy after various tests done and nothing showing up, only to find full blown Lymphoma.  It's worth the while to try to find out what's making him unstable and see if you can't catch it before it's too late.  This whole thread makes me sad.

[TENDRIL]

12 years is pretty old for larger breeds

[Seeker > 620 KC]

Rowdy- pincher type highbred markings, mixed with white chest and fuzzy happy-camper lab face. Handsome!

I've seen big barreled Labs develop tumors and balance issues late in life, but not suddenly. I'm guessing the internal or nerve issue. Is the photo recent? Are his eyes clear and attentive? The sudden overall unsteadiness does seem more like a toxicity or nerve issue.

 

My first family dog was half beagle half lab. He was marked like a beagle, but size was like a 3/4 sized lab, weighed 50 lbs or so.. at 17 he had trouble getting up and moving, quite shakey. Always wanted to go in/out. In warm weather he like to lay outside where the earth was warm. One Thanksgiving we thought he wasn't going to make it thru the meal. We stopped the holiday, took him to the emergency vet since my dad was picking up the bill on a holiday. But as you stated mine developed it slowly, not suddenly like yours. He had hip and joint pain arthritis and such, but they shot him full of steroids and he lasted thru the year to keep my Dad company thru my Mom's passing on.  

 

 

www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Vet-Help-Online/208145682538006

 

We're pet owners and lovers, but better gear head diagnosticians... maybe try the fuzzy-ear heads blog above?

[datzenmike]

Picture is 3-4 years old hell maybe more. Eyes are steady and slightly opaque with age. That picture is as close to a smile as I've ever seen a dog do.

[Seeker > 620 KC]

"Is there a doctor in the house?"

Anybody with a veterinarian in their family?

For once the DZ guru needs our resources!

[john510]

Like others have said get him to vet.I hope everything turns out ok.