Hi all. Anyone experience vestibular disease in their senior dog. I have a lab/chow mix 15 yrs of age who was diagnosed saturday with this. It is like he has an inner ear problem and cant stand so well. Took him to vet and they gave him a shot. I just got a longhaired gsd, he is 2 years and neurterd. His name is BOZ and he is really showing a great drive, waiting for his previous owners to send his papers. His mother is a drug dog. And how do get them to stop digging.

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.....Anyone experience vestibular disease in their senior dog......And how do get them to stop digging.

I have not experienced it in my dogs, but I've read about it. This site (once again) was one of the better sources:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vestibular_disease.html

My understanding from this and other vet sites is that the cause can be in the brain or in the middle ear. If he has a history of ear infections (or a history of allergies, which could indicate a history of undiagnosed ear infections), then that's where the vet would look first. I don't know what the shot was, so have no idea what the vet was treating with it. And yes, it can often clear up within days, depending on the source of the symptoms.

I'm not a health professional.

If you would like more detailed sites about vestibular disease, sometimes called "elderly dog vestibular disease," let me know. I have several saved, but attached the one above because it's succinct and I have found that site to be authoritative.

Digging: I assume you mean outdoors? I feel sure you will get lots of good help here, and also if you use "search" (up on the top right of the screen) and the term "digging" you'll get more.

My own suggestion is always the same, and I always find it helpful, no matter how simple it sounds: more structured exercise. A yard isn't enough; it's still "behind walls" to the dog, who needs to release frustrated energy on long walks and in training/playing with the handler. A frustrated, bored dog indulges in destructive and even obsessive activities. JMO, and others will have more!

Good luck. I've had several seniors, and they sometimes need their walks to be a little slower (not always!), but they still need them.