Nystagmus in dogs

[Momo’s GardenStudent]

Hello,  has anyone had experience with Nystagmus (rapid eye movement) in dogs?  Our older dog (13+ years, 90 lb, mixed breed) is having trouble with this, and earliest appt with vet is Monday at 3 pm.

Had first episode yesterday, just 3-5 minutes.  Since early this morning it has been going on for almost 3 hours.  Gave some melatonin to calm him down, because I ran out of Rest Easy tincture this week.

Any other thoughts or suggestions how we can help him immediately?  He is very unsettled, and it has affected his balance too.

[Sharon EStudent]

Hi Momo, I know this is a late response, I hope your dog is recovered. I have had this in myself and it is beyond debilitating, went to an eye, ear nose throat specialist initially to pick his brains and then further research. I found it was simply calcium crystals in the inner ear after my own testing, dogs apparently can get this as well. I resolved this with topical magnesium, ie magnesium chloride (magnesium chloride flakes in water approx 40:60). For humans one can do the Epley maneuver, count the number of tic’s in the eyes prior to the maneuvers and after. This greatly reduced the tic’s in the eyes, therefore knew immediately what the problem was. Fixed in no time, the whole thing resolved it’s self. Also look up Semont Liberatory Maneuver. As to herbal remedies I don’t know of anything herbal besides reducing the stress levels as it is highly alarming to the individual. Also something to settle the stomach as it wants to vomit from the vertigo. Have a look at the structure of the inner ear of a human and also a canine.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by Sharon E.

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