Senior Dog Falls Over Like a Tree Falling
by Eric
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Less than a week ago, I was approaching my front door with my dog, Theo. He was in the living room standing. Suddenly, he just fell down, like a tree falling over.
He got up and we proceeded up the stairs and I took him for a walk and all went OK with no more falls.
A couple of days ago, we headed to the sidewalk in front of the house. Again, he stood waiting for me. And then he just fell. He got up and then we walked around the block, without any falls.
Yesterday, we went to a large park in the city where we roamed quite a far distance within the park. No falls.
I took him for a short walk this morning. No falls. He then rested in the house today. At about 4pm, we went out for a walk. On the sidewalk, again, he fell down. And then he got up.
After we proceeded several blocks, I took off his leash. I noticed some sort of 'vibration' in the middle of his body and he fell.
I don't know about these things, but the 'vibration' looked to me like it was a seizure or something. In any case, he was able to get up and we walked all the way back home. And he did not fall once.
I called my local vet, explaining the situation. She advised me that perhaps he's stoic, not showing his pain, and that perhaps I should simply walk him to do his basics--that maybe he's too tired to walk and his muscles may be giving out.
I'm resistant to under-exercising him because I want him to have the best life. I don't understand how he could walk long distances without showing lameness.
Over the phone, my vet recommended TRAMADOL, citing that if it's his muscles giving out than this will relieve the pain. My vet said that though I'm giving him the DGP (Dog Gone Pain), to help with his joints, she suggested that it may not be enough.
I've researched Vestibular disease with the 'falling' symptom, but he's eating and his head is not tipping to any particular side. Could it be this?
I'm trying to do all that I can because I'm feeling the pinch of the potential costs. But my perception of a progressive decline in his wellness is overwhelming.
Please let me know if you need clarification on anything to provide best feedback.
Dog stats:
15 Year old
Collie/Husky mix
Male
Thank you,
Eric
***UPDATE: I just came from my local vet for his annual exam because last night he fell down a few times. The vet says that he's very weak in the hind quarters. She prescribed Tramadol, 50mg, twice daily.
I look forward to your second opinion.
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