Author Topic: Something wrong with Laddie :( (Read 10658 times)

doganjo · « **Reply #45 on:** May 07, 2014, 12:53:37 pm »

Quote from: pgkevet on May 07, 2014, 11:31:05 am

Quote from: doganjo on May 01, 2014, 08:51:19 am
Stand him up, take one of his back paws and turn it over so the knuckle is on the floor. If he doesn't turn it back automatically it is vestibular - similar to vertigo in humans and can be treated with the same drugs. If it isn't that, he may have pulled muscles and metacam will help so continue with that. Change your vet.

I'd just like to correct this. A placing reflex like this primarily tests the simple reflex arc and integrating proprioception in the spine. It is not a test of vestibular balance. You'ld need to get involved with righting reflexes and hopping tests and cranial nerve functions for that.

My vet advised me it was almost always the initial test done to ascertain if there had been a vestibular incident. It was what he did on my GWP bitch.

pgkevet · « **Reply #46 on:** May 07, 2014, 02:57:25 pm »

A classic idiopathic vestibular incident in a dog is an older patient presenting with a head tilt, horizontal nystagmus and inability to stand (in severe cases and in rabbit it will be rolling) and a loss of appetitie.

The nystagmus is the first to recover - several days.. but may be triggered by rapid sideways movement of the head.

Placing reflexes and paper tests (stand the dogs back leg on a bit of paper and slowly pull it away) are the sorst of tests run on spinal injury and CRDM german shepherd's.

Either you misunderstood or your vet was having a blonde moment....

AnnS · « **Reply #47 on:** May 07, 2014, 04:25:47 pm »

Reading this with interest, vet did same test with one of my dogs after vestibular incident. Sure he mentioned reflexes.

Glad Laddie is making a good recovery.

AnnS