Yesterday, at the office, my dog Kaya started barking to alert me that she wanted some help getting up from her bed (at 15 years old she’s losing strength in her back legs and often can’t get up on her own). I helped lift her up as I usually do, but her front legs went all wobbly and wouldn’t support her and then her back legs gave out on her too. She was disoriented and panting but at the same time wasn’t content to lie down. With the help of my colleagues, we moved her around the office in the directions she wanted to go, but she appeared confused, aimless, not knowing what she wanted. We got her lying down again and it was then we noticed along with an accelerated heart rate, her eyes were twitching and her eyeballs were moving spasmodically. Totally freaked out I put in an emergency call to Dr. Spooner, Kaya’s vet. While I waited for him to get back to me I wondered what I could give her to relieve her anxiety and calm her down. I remembered the Rescue Remedy I had on my desk and gave her several doses of it. I also gave myself several doses of it too (I also needed some help to calm down). I kept speculating on whether Kaya’s trauma was the result of a stroke, seizure or some other medical condition. Was this going to be the last day I had with my faithful friend and companion of 15 years?!

The Rescue Remedy seemed to have an immediate effect on Kaya, although her eyes kept twitching she was now lying quietly. The discussion I had with Dr. Spooner soon after confirmed Kaya’s symptoms as Old Dog Vestibular Disease (also known as Canine Idiopathic Vestibular Disease) which could resolve itself in just a day or two. In Kaya’s case we noticed a remarkable improvement by the end of the day, and today, just 24 hours later she’s pretty much back to normal. I, on the other hand, am still a little shaken up and give thanks for having my furry pal’s rapid recovery. I also appreciate each and every day I’ve got left with her.

I’d like to give thanks to all the dedicated vets out there (like Dr. Spooner), who are there for us when we need them most.

If you’d like some information on Old Dog Vestibular Disease, I found this site helpful: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vestibular_disease.html.

Here’s Kaya today, all spruced up for spring in her new My Hollywood Dog daisy collar.