Hi all, I'm new to this forum and was hoping you could give me some advice on a problem my Lab has. I have a 1 year old Labrador called Ruby, shes very small only about 20 kg. When we go out for walks she doesn't suffer with these dizzy spells, only when we play ball. When we finish playing, she will start to walk home and begin to sway (almost likes shes drunk) and her back legs start to go to jelly. She normally ends up sitting down and slightly disorientated. After about 30 seconds shes fine and jumps back up again rearing to go. This has happened approximately 4 times in the last three weeks. On one of the occasions she was really disorientated and we ended up going to get the car. The only thing human I could relate it to is when we feel faint I guess. I don't want people to think I am a careless owner by asking on here and not taking her to the vets. Its been warm in the UK recently (not that I've walked her in the heat because that would be irresponsible) and she has not showed any other signs or symptoms outside of these 30 second patches. She's eating as a Labrador normally does (like a horse), toileting and sleeping fine. Shes got nice pink gums and a cold wet nose. It's very strange. I'm just wondering if she could be getting dehydrated or maybe something more sinister? I've got another three year old Labrador and shes not showing any signs of a problem. Any suggestions would be very helpful indeed.
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador She "might" have EIC which is 'exercise induced collapse' but she may not. It has been hot and she had been using up a lot of energy. If she was mine, I would take her to the vet and discuss the problem.
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Thanks Stacia, I've never heard of that before but certainly sounds similar. I hate 'googling' the issue because some stuff that comes up would make you think shes going to die in the next two hours!
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador I had a friend with a German Shorthaired Pointer who behaved like that, very scary the first time we saw it happen, but she lived to a very grand old age
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Sorry, I can't say what maybe wrong with your dog, but I hope it's nothing serious. I would definitely be taking a trip to the vet, though. Please let us know how she gets on.
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Hello and welcome , I`m sorry to read about your dogs problem , there are a number of neurological reasons why this is happening so yes , definately a trip to the Vets , it may well be something simple such as a deficiency in her diet or the lack of ability to utilise certain foods , but best err to caution , hoping she is ok, please let us know .
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador I would certainly begin by running the EIC test - what you are seeing may not be EIC, but the DNA test is not invasive (just a cheeck swab) and costs about $65. If the result comes back as positive then you would know what you are dealing with (and learn how to prevent episodes as far as possible). If negative, then at least you can definitely put EIC out of your mind, and move on to look at other possible causes for the problem. This link tells you more about EIC and the DNA test that is available. http://www.vdl.umn.edu/ourservices/canineneuromuscular/eic/home.html
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Sorry, can help at all but just wanted to say I hope she's ok and the vet can help. Please let us know how she is x
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Hi all, Thanks for all your comments. I've got a vets appointment booked for her tomorrow so should start getting somewhere then. She's been up to her normal mischievous self tonight so she's happy enough! Thanks Ps the bigger one is Ellie and the little one Ruby
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Gorgeous dogs! Good luck at the vets and hope it is something of nothing
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Hi this is my first posting, my main area of interest from the forum is opinions on colitis (diets and treatment) but I saw your posting and and read all the replies. This is just for interest and information. Just to let you know I have a 10 year old lab who had 2 really bad episodes of spontaneous staggering and disorientation, which she found really distressing. Her eyes were flicking from side to side.( Just like me after a few too many!). The first time it happened, (no warning, on a week-end, emergency vet cover) I thought she was fitting. Got her to the vets who diagnosed a middle ear infection and put her on a course of antibiotics which did the trick. The second time I was aware what was happening and didn't panic just straight down to the vets - same problem. She hasn't had any further episodes so hopefully the infection was the problem and there isn't anything horrendous happening. I now need to post some letters about all the other complaints she has ie. colitis, diet for losing weight, fatty lumps, arthritis, you name it she has!
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador I have a springer who has shown the same symptoms in the past. It started when she was about a year old. I had every test possible done on her and everything showed up as normal. I am convinced that in the case of my dog it is a combination of excitement (running for a retrieve or hunting) and exertion in warm temperatures. I have read endless articles on the similar cases and came across an article by an American vet who wrote that it could take just one episode of overheating to throw something in the part of the brain responsible for temperature control off kilter to make consequent episodes more likely. I am now very, very careful not to train or work my dog in warm weather, even though she is extremely fit she would not last two minutes. Just to say that if it is a case of overheating in your dog then you need to be on your guard because a serious episode can be fatal.
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador My friend's Beardie has episodes very similar, he has an unusually slow heart beat. Doesn't seem to affect him much she just avoids over exercising him when it's hot.
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Hi all, Visited the vets today and they're going to test her for EIC or floppy dog syndrome. I thought the latter name was quite amusing! Anyway, she's had some bloods taken and will take up to four weeks for the results. Although all her symptoms match that of these issues she wasn't completely sure as she's not a pedigree and they normally effect the strong labrador blood lines more. When I say she's not a labrador I think she's about 90% labrador. As soon as I have any news I will let all of you know. Thanks
Re: Dizzy Spells in my Labrador Glad to hear you've been to the vets and they have started investigations. Fingers crossed x
