Help Me Identify These Symptoms

December 14, 2008 8:06 PM

I need help identifying these symptoms my dog displayed today. We were walking outside, and all of the sudden she started acting disoriented (like she couldn't see). I stopped and looked at her, and her eyes were darting quickly back and forth. These were the only two symptoms; there was no head tilt or anything else.

It lasted for about one minute, then she was fine. This has happened one time before, about three or four weeks ago, with exactly the same symptoms (but we were inside). I plan on contacting the vet tomorrow, but I was hoping to get some advice in the meantime. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there a treatment? Thanks!

posted by Delfena to pets & animals (13 comments total)

How old is she? What breed? Does she live inside or outside?
posted by winna at 8:41 PM on December 14, 2008

That rapid eve movement is known as nystagmus, and is, along with head tilt and ataxia (loss of coordination), a typical sign of vestibular disease. There are many causes of vestibular disease, ranging from the mild and temporary to the very serious. You should take your dog to the vet tomorrow. Good luck!
posted by Rock Steady at 8:41 PM on December 14, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Many of the vets at our hospital recommend VeterinaryPartner.com
posted by Rock Steady at 8:45 PM on December 14, 2008

Our dog had conditions much like this, but our vet in Japan attributed it to "seizures", saying there was nothing we could do. Once a month or so our dog would start slobbering, panting, would appear to go blind, would run around, and then would lose control of her limbs. It lasted five minutes or so, and then she was fine. I wonder what THAT was (we gave her away when we returned to Canada).
posted by KokuRyu at 8:56 PM on December 14, 2008

When you visit your vet, have the vet test your dog for hypothyroidism. More than 75% of dogs with hypothyroid disorder experience seizures. During petit mal seizures, dogs may stare into space or exhibit rapid eye movement.
posted by terranova at 10:33 PM on December 14, 2008

Our diabetic dog did this once. We'd given her her insulin about 30 seconds previously, when she suddenly sat down, and her eyes went glassy and started darting from side to side. She was still responsive to being called and stroked, though.

We called our vets, who suggested getting some honey into her, on the assumption that she'd been given too much insulin. Within a few seconds of getting the honey into her, she stopped doing whatever it was she was doing.
posted by Solomon at 10:51 PM on December 14, 2008

My dog had seizures, and it was absolutely terrifying! Loss of vision, loss of control over his limbs - panic - it was horrifying. But afterward, he was fine - and didn't even seem to notice what had just happened. It's not a well known fact, but many dogs are susceptible to seizures due to inbreeding. Talk to your vet as soon as possible, but really - if they decide it's a seizure, there's nothing to be done about it.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 12:02 AM on December 15, 2008

Not true, dogs with epilepsy can take phenobarbital just like people can.
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:39 AM on December 15, 2008

Many of the vets at our hospital recommend VeterinaryPartner.com

Oops. That was meant for another thread, but I guess is good advice here, too.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:43 AM on December 15, 2008

Thank you everyone. To Winna: She's about 4-5 (not sure because I got her at a shelter about 3 1/2 years ago). Her breed is some kind of pitbull mix; she's about 45 pounds. She lives inside, and mostly only goes out for walks and play time (although she has access to a dog door, so she can go out whenever she wants).

I read about nystagmus and vestibular disease, but wasn't sure that was the problem, since the symptoms were a bit different. But I'll definitely ask my vet about it. Could it be a seizure even if she can still walk? She just acts like she can't see, and has the rapid eye movement.

Thanks for the help!
posted by Delfena at 9:18 AM on December 15, 2008

My dog has seizures, and he can't see or walk while it's going on. It's scary for me but doesn't seem traumatic for him-- he's happy as ever when he snaps out of it. It used to happen a few times a month, but phenobarbital got it down to once a year or so. The medication is inexpensive and doesn't seem to have any side-effects.

If it happens again, try to grab a camera and take photos or video. I did this for my vet and he immediately knew what it was.
posted by moonmilk at 10:35 AM on December 15, 2008

Could it be a seizure even if she can still walk? She just acts like she can't see, and has the rapid eye movement.

Yes, during petit mal seizures, an animal may remain standing and simply exhibit the staring/rapid eye movement symptoms you describe. Seizures can be treated with phenobarbital and other drugs, but because these can be harsh on the liver, dogs administered the drugs must undergo regular liver function and drug serum level testing.
posted by terranova at 11:23 AM on December 15, 2008

How did it go?
posted by winna at 9:29 PM on December 15, 2008