Question:
My 2 1/2 year old Boston is acting like she is drunk. She can barely stand and has a hard time getting up out of her crate when we get home. When we put her in her crate she will fall over like her balance is off.

We've taken her to several different Vets who can't seem to figure out what is wrong with her. I think they thought we were crazy unitl they witnessed it themselves. These "spells" will come out of no where and can sometimes be around for a day or two or sometimes go away within minutes. She's a small Boston (only weighs 12-14 pounds) and her back will hump a little while she gets these spells. It's almost like she is walking on her tip toes with her back legs. She will also shake really bad like she can't control her head movement. Not a whole body shake but just the head going back and forth. Sorry but the only thing I can compare it to is someone with Parkinson's Disease. It's a very hard thing to witness but we and our vet apparently are seriuosly at a loss. They've done blood tests, seizure tests, x-rays, etc. etc. We've spent hundreds of dollars and their only answer now is to take her to a neurologist for animals. (WHAT?) My husband has just recovered from surgery and a month of no working so as you can guess this is not even an option. It's just so hard to have to watch this happen to her.

Has anyone heard or seen anything like this before? Any suggestions?

Answer:
Did the vet put her on antibiotics anyway? I'm wondering if it's a middle-ear infection, which seriously affects balance. Even after the antibiotics, my cat took months to recover fully and even now, he's a bit goofy, but perfectly healthy.

Answer:
I agree. Sounds like labyrinthitis. Bizarre that your vets didn't diagnose anything.

Answer:
I agree also. Did your vet not even treat her for this?

Answer:
If the vets did a CBC, there is probably nothing abnormal going on.. ie. infection or I'm sure the vets would have put this dog on antibiotics.

I totally agree with the referral to a neurologist if you want to find the source of the problem. You're looking at more invasive testing that your average vet clinic can't perform. Maybe a veterinary school hospital would be willing to work out some kind of deal with you and have tests done for a lower fee.

Good luck.

Answer:
about two years ago my boston started the head shakes. we also saw about 3 vet's they put him through tons of nuerological tests and still nothing. I went home and cleaned his ears and he was fine. as long as i keep his ears extremely well cared for he doesn't have the head shakes.

Answer:
Thank you all for the responses. Yes they did put her on an antibiotic at one point but still nothing. I'll try the ear cleaning and see where we get from there. Thank you.

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