Possible Stroke? Ear Infection? She needs a vet.

My llewellin setter, Emily, will be 8 years old in March. I noticed today that she was constantly holding her head crooked or tilted... on the same side, always. She is still a hyper girl, but acting a bit different. Weather might be an influence-- although I live in Oklahoma... it's been between 7 and 20 degrees these past couple days, with a -1 windchill. [I was out of school today and yesterday due to the snow... we received about 8+ inches.] All four of my dogs are kept outside... they have ALWAYS been [parents rules]. So the dogs are used to Oklahoma's continues change in weather. They have a HUGE [approx. 7 x9 feet], insulated dog house to keep them warm. So I'm not sure if weather was a factor or not. Today, she jumped up on the fence to greet me, and fell over... the same side that her head is tilted. She just bounced right back up, after she completely rolled over. I know her foot hit the water bucket, but normally she has more balance and control over herself. I'm a little worried. Once I told my dad about her, he said, "oh I noticed that yesterday... once the weather gets better [even though it's stopped snowing, and the temps are warming up], we'll call the vet." He said, "it's almost like she had a stroke." I was thinking she had an ear infection... but she's was not sensitive when I rubbed her ear and around that area.

Has anyone ever had this happen to one of their dogs?? Does this sound like an ear infection? Stoke?

Anything would be great. Thank you.

That is NOT a stroke.

There could be water or something in her ear.

Dogs should NOT be kept in weather that cold, unless it's a Husky, or other related breed.

8 is pretty old for a large breed dog. She should probably be checked out by a vet.

Thank you for the quick reply. It's good to know that she didn't have a stroke. I COMPLETELY AGREE with you that dogs shouldn't be kept outside in this kind of weather, but my parents will not ever change their minds [sadly]. A few years back, I typed up a paper about the effects of cold weather on dogs... Trust me, I've tried everything. They've had dogs for over 20 years, and none of them have ever been hurt due to cold temperatures. Most llewellins live to be about 10-12 years, or more [Similar to Goldens]. She weighs about 45-50lbs... so she's not TOO big. I agree, she should see a vet... hopefully I'll talk my Dad into calling him tomorrow. Heck, I should call. I've called him before... and he comes straight to the house. Or I could take her there myself [if the roads aren't too bad]. Not a big deal right?

It's always hard when everything's under your parents' control. They have their own mind set, and they choose to do what they want. Like keeping the dog outside, or not taking it to the vet.

At least you're doing what you can. Do you have a camera or a video camera? You can record your dogs actions, like the head tilting to show the vet yourself.

Do tell your parents you will take her yourself. It shows repsonsibility, and will hopefully make them want to pay for the visit Hehe

Good luck! Keep me posted!

It sounds as if she has an inner ear infection. A simple scoping of the ear by your veterinarian and a swabbing checked out under the microscope should provide the answers you need.

The tilting of the head is a very common symptom of ear infections/irritations.

Thank you! It is very good to hear that this shouldn't be too big of a deal. IF it is taken care of soon, ofcourse.

Inner ear infection or brain tumor. I have seen dogs with both act this way. Your dog needs to see a vet quickly, but I think you know this. Good luck.

old dog vestibular disease is also a possibility. if it's that, most dogs do recover from it. she needs to see a vet ASAP.

My neighbor's old dog has this . Vet time !

Showpug, Elegy, & Bubbatd,

Thanks for your responses.

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Update:

I checked on Emily first thing this morning. She is still tilting her head. She was sitting in the same spot for nearly 10+ minutes, not moving. Then she got up, walked a bit, and went into the dog house.

I am EXTREMELY frustrated right now. My Dad now believes that "she just needs to drink some water". Idiot. And my Mother is saying, "she just has a kink in her neck... stop worrying about it... she's fine!" Then got mad at me. Why are they so stupid sometimes!?

I guess all I can do is compromise and call the vet on Monday???

I am so sorry you are up against your parents on this one. They are both very wrong and your dog needs treatment. Give her lots of TLC in the mean time.

Don't wait till monday. Call the vet NOW. Call the E-Vet if you have to.

It's not a kink..that's just silly. And water? Ack, I'm sorry you're stuck in this situation. Good for you for noticing the red flag.

Keep us posted !

:O outside?? i live in oklahoma too and we just finished with a blizzard warning! our turnpikes were shut down and the national guard was called in to help the people who where out there stranded. that is definitely NOT a normal winter for us. even with a dog house it's freezing outside so you need to try anything you can to get your dog inside. i have an outside dog who usually always stays outside 'dad's descision long story' but she's in the house right now because it's that bad outside.

but first thing... try looking up vet numbers and just calling them *if you don't have a regular vet you always use* and asking them what they think. maybe try and get some pics of it or like someone else said video. although if that's not possibly you seem to be able to describe it very well so i think they might be able to atleast guess as to what's wrong. why do they not want to take your dog to the vet? is it money reasons? could you try saying you'll take on some extra chores or something to help pay the vet costs?

Yes, I know this is not normal weather for Oklahoma, and my parents know that too. My mother has lived in Oklahoma for the last 50 years [her whole life], my dad has lived here for the last 25+ years, and I've lived here my entire life [16+ years]. My parents will/would NEVER let my dogs inside, except for Lucy, a golden retriever, on ocassion. There is nothing that I can change about that. They tell me, "when you have your own house, you can have your dogs inside."

We have a regular vet... she will see him first thing tomorrow morning. They do not want to call the vet because they believe that she will get over it on her own. It is not money reasons, nor do I get paid to do chores. I have always made money on my own, and I'm a big saver. I work over the summer [at academy], but right now, school is my main focus. [wow i got off subject]

I will update you all once we see the vet.
Thanks for the replies.

I had a cat who got vestibular disease who exhibited those same symptoms. You really need to get the dog to the vet. In the case of my pet it was secondary to a tooth issue, but he came out of it deaf. If your dog has an inner ear issue, it really requires veterinary care as soon as you can. For one thing, the dog can hurt himself very easily because of the imbalance. For another, it could be secondary to a number of things if dogs are at all like cats...including tumors. Honestly, being out in the cold weather is not helpful do the dog if he has this illness or an ear infection of any type and is untreated.

More frustration...

Here is a conversation with my Dad, this happened about 5 minutes ago:

Me: You need to call David [our vet] before 9 o'clock, I'll call you at 9 to remind you.
Dad: What for?
Me: Because Em needs to see a vet-- she needs medication.
Dad: Well I'll go out and look at her sometime tomorrow.
Me: Simply you going out to look at her... is NOT going to make her better. By the time I get home from school tomorrow, and if he hasn't came to look at her... then I'm going to call him myself [which I've had to do before] and have him come look at her.
Dad: We'll see.
Me: You know... I can't believe that she's out there right now, especially being sick. It's 9 degrees right now, and it's only going to get colder as the night goes on.
Dad: [said nothing, put his headphones (he was born with hearing loss) back on to listen to the tv]

GRRR... at least I know that tomorrow... she's seeing the vet!

i am sorry i didn't mean to sound rude. it's just this is in no way a normal winter and you parents ignoring the fact that your dog's need for medical attention is just... wrong! i'm glad that you'll be doing anything to get the vet there though. i think it's getting worse before it gets better. schools still out because now its not snow it's just layers andlayers of ice

Don't apologize, you're just fine. Schools are still out in your area?!? Wow. Do you mind me asking what town you live in? I live just north of OKC.

i live in oologah. about 30 min north on 169 of tulsa... it's the little almost nonexistant dot on the map lol.

yeah everywhere around here is closed. oologah, owasso, nowata, sperry. unfortunately i'm in college and they're open tomorrow. luckily i have online classes. the roads are HORRIBLE out here still *not main ones but oologah and surrounding towns are nothing but backroads*