Question from New Member re facial paralysis

[k9diabetes]

I joined the site so that i could get an opinion on my diabetic deaf dogs second episode of facial paralysis (1st occurred in June on his left side which is now OK). I really need to know if anyone else has experienced this?

Rocket was born deaf and was diagnosed with diabetes in February this year - he was only 5 at the time. My poor boy seems to get one thing after another and although in general he is a very happy lurcher, i would like to know if there is anything obvious that i am missing. The last time the vet gave him some antibiotics with the thought that it may have been a deep routed inner ear infection. He was also a bit wobbly at the time and after a few days he did show an improvement. He finally got the full blink back in his left eye about a month ago however two days back, his right eye seemed to become a little frozen and his lip began to droop slightly.....I couldnt beleive it, not again.

I have heard that facial paralysis can be linked to hyperthyroidism yet he has no other symptoms? Does anyone else have experience in this area? Could it even be link to his insulin injections?

Any help / advise would be hugely appreciated.

Kind regards

Jo

[HarrysMom]

Re: Question from New Member re facial paralysis

I found PetPlace article for you.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/facial-...ogs/page1.aspx

It also appears many dogs get vestibular disease.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/vestibu...ogs/page1.aspx

[k9diabetes]

Re: Question from New Member re facial paralysis

Hi Jo,

As I mentioned to you in my email, I don't think Rocket's problems are related to his insulin or his diabetes.

If you have access to a veterinary neurologist, that would be the first thing I would do. We have worked with neurologists with two of our dogs and they have been worth every penny, even when working with a really good vet.

For example, our dog one morning just couldn't stand up. Rushed him to the vet, who did basic neuro tests and felt that some signs suggested vestibular disease but others did not. So he got us into the neurologist right away - within a couple of hours. And the neurologist confirmed that he didn't have vestibular disease but most likely had a blood clot causing a TIA in the part of the brain the includes the vestibular system. It was either clot or cancer - something in the brain - and his bet was clot. Chris recovered over a couple of hours and it never happened again.

The stuff you are describing could be a stroke or spinal problems, maybe a growth in the brain. The paralysis in particular is concerning as possible some sort of obstruction in blood flow.

Even just a one-time consult with the neurologist would undoubtedly help clear up many of your questions.

It would also be very helpful to check a full blood panel and have a full thyroid panel.

Natalie