After our morning run, I noticed my german shepherd (spayed, 3 years old), walking strangely, off balance. First I thought it might be her legs or hips, but everything checked out fine. I took her to the vet, who took some blood and checked her eyes and ears. The vet said she was stumped because Tessa has good feeling and strength in her legs (she can jump on the bed), but falls over and losses balance with sudden changes in terrain (stairs sometimes) or uneven ground, or sudden head movements. The vet will be consulting with a neurologist later today to see if he has any thoughts on what could be going on, but Tessa's age and overall good health (she's alert and happy to eat, etc.) are strange. My thoughts are a. poison- with all the rain there are natural fungal poisons she might have encountered in the woods, or possibly human related poison either purposeful or accidental (there were a few cases of poisoning in the area about 5 or 6 years ago). b. Lyme or other tick disease? c. some sort of nerve or brain issue?
I'd be happy to provide more information on her symptoms if I haven't been clear enough. I gave her four cups of watery milk and will continue giving her lots of fluids (and potty breaks) throughout the day to try to wash out her system if it is poison. Is there anything more I can do?
My other dog seems OK (for which I am very grateful), but who knows how Tessa encountered the poison agent (if that's what it is) or if it's something else. She was fine this morning, I think, though maybe a bit slower than normal. I chalked that up to the warmer weather. Last night, she seemed totally fine.
Any thought or insight on this would be much appreciated. I'll be working from home to keep an eye on her and to water and walk her, so I'll check this board often, and should be hearing from the vet sometime this afternoon.
I know collectively there's a lot of German shepherd and general dog experience out there. Any help is much appreciated. I lost a dog to brain cancer two years ago and, though the symptoms are quite different, I'm very worried.

So this just happened yesterday? And the symptoms have not reappeared today?

I think having the vet check with a neurologist is a great start. She could just be at the beginning of a disorder and catching it early will be very helpful.

I am curious too about whether it could be something that she "picked up", like a chemical or poison.

Eating and drinking is ok?

What about bathroom breaks, are they the usual?

I did see on an episode of Dogtown, a dog that had the "drunken" walk and stumble, but was otherwise healthy. I just can't seem to remember what he was diagnosed with. He did go on to have a happy, healthy life with a family, who just had to be careful about his surroundings so he wouldn't hurt himself. You can watch the clip on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dogtown
and the clip is "life after Dogtown".

I hope everything is OK with your girl and sorry I couldn't be of more help!

Does she exhibit any nystagmus? That eye flicking of being dizzy or vertigo? My only experience with similar symptoms were in older Border Collies with Vestibular Syndrome.

I am assuming the vet checked for inner ear infections.

As for Vestibular...some vets will treat with steroids and a run of antibiotics "in case" it is an infection. But I have never had treatment improve the situation and generally it was an on and off thing with the dogs. Sometimes a day off and fine otherwise and sometimes falling down for weeks. Sometimes just a bit off and sometimes nystagmus and vomiting with nausea.

The uneven gait just started this morning, so she was fine yesterday. I wonder about a toxin too. I'm giving her lots of fluids just in case. The vet looked in her ear down to the eardrum, but couldn't see anything to that point. I guess an inner ear infection is certainly possible. I don't see any nystagmus, and she doesn't shy away from my hand when I go to pat her (something I've seen in my last dog with brain issues) or seem confused/dizzy when she raises her head when napping. Basically it's that 'drunken' gait, and a bit of head tilt when she walks. We just took her for a walk, and noticed that if she didn't watch where she was going, she had more problems (eg if she was looking at me while walking), or turned her head suddenly. Would it be worth seeing a neurologist now? She hasn't gotten worse, and maybe slightly better since this morning. She was walking more steadily at the end of the walk than at the beginning and she doesn't drag her feet. She does have a wider stance when walking, and seem more hesitant. I'm totally confused.
She had a run in with a baby porcupine two years ago... porcupine quill in the brain is a long shot but is this possible?
Toxin is probably more likely. Hoping the morning will be better.

Is the head tilt in a consistent direction? Did they check for inner ear infection? wry neck? If he just checked the exterior ear then no, it's unlikely he checked for inner ear infection. I would follow up about this because inner ear infections are pretty common.

The porcupine quills having an impact is possible, they've been known to work through for years after initially getting stuck.

Years ago, I had a similar situation. My dog was older, at the time, tho, than yours. It seemed as if she'd had a stroke. She would stand up, and then just go back down in circles (if that makes sense) She was extremely unsteady and would walk next to the wall or else fall over. I thought I was going to have to put her down.

At that time, my vet diagnosed her with labyrinthitis. (basically a deep inner ear infection). She said it was somewhat common in older dogs. Anyway after steroids for a week, she was all better. Took a while to build her strength back up.

Please keep us updated.
I was thinking labyrinthitis,or a mini stroke..?
Hope it works out ok.
Willie

Thanks all so much for your input.
I like the inner ear infection idea- mainly because it's simple and sounds like its curable. I remember one of my roommates had labryinthitis a few years ago. I wonder why my vet didn't mention this. Any idea how it's diagnosed? Are there always other symptoms (besides the unsteadyness)?
Her slight head tilt is always to the left, once I've started noticing. She also seems to have more weakness on that side of her body.
She has a great appetite, but does seem extra tired/depressed. I'll look into the inner ear infection on line and ask my vet tomorrow. Hoping it's not a porcupine quill. Not sure we could do anything about that one.

My Gretel had a deep inner ear infection that had those same kinds of symptoms. Falling down drunk, totally uneven gait, head tilting. She threw up on the way to the vet. I was concerned about a stroke but fortunately, it was the inner ear infection.

Hope your pup is ok.

Thanks for the insight. You seem to have more ideas than the vet about what this could be! She sounded stumped. The nuerologist suggested thyroid tests, x-rays of the inner ear, blood pressure test (for stroke?). The vet said they can't tell if it's an inner ear infection without an x-ray under sedation and I'm hesitant to sedate her right now.
Those of you who had dogs with an inner ear infection, do you remember how it was diagnosed? This morning, Tessa had a definate head tilt to the left, as she did last night, and slight nystagmus, but I think less than on Tuesday night, when I first noticed the eye movements. She seems more eager to move about the house (she loves her food after I take her out in the morning and she runs back and forth normally and did that this morning) and she'll get up to look out the window now if she hears the neighbors or a squirrel.
I tried throwing treats for her to catch to test her eye-mouth coordination, and she was worse than normal, but did manage to catch a couple. Not sure that means anything.
It seems she has the worst time of it standing still. Sitting or moving forward she does OK, not great, but OK.
I feel like these are minor improvements, pointing to vestibular disease, but if it is an inner ear infection, I'm wondering how to diagnose without a bunch of costly and tough (on the dog) tests.
I cancelled a follow up appointment for tomorrow because I didn't see that it would be useful. I don't think she has high blood pressure or low thyroid. She's a young, healthy, active dog. Now I'm wondering if I should reschedule so they can look for ear infection.
Do dogs with vestibular disease need special nursing care or supplements? I still wonder at the vet not talking inner ear infection more and/or vestibular. Maybe time to find a new vet?
I'll note her progress and if I don't see steady improvement will have to figure out the next step. An ear infection scares me. I shouldn't wait to get treatment if that's what it is.