I called and talked to the Vet after my Dad took Shera in. He says she has a neurological disorder that is common in most older dogs. Shera is 15 years old. That’s really old for a large breed.

The disorder cuts the connection from the inner ear to the brain causing a loss of balance. Is worst cases dogs will just lay down and not walk. After a while (days sometimes) they get use to it, and try walking again. The body adapts and they become functional again.

The problem is my Dad seams to think Shera has progressively gotten worse over the course of the last week. The Vet said she has an ear infection which could be causing this. Because of the itchy ears Shera shakes her head, losses her balance and falls down.

The Vet gave my Dad some antibiotics for the ear infection, and said it could be 3-4 weeks before seeing an improvement. If she doesn’t improve it could be something worse like a brain tumor. Only a MRI could show that, but that unfortunately, financially, is not an option.

So now we wait, and hope for the best.

I got a frantic call from my dad about his dog Shera. I guess she just keeps falling over while trying to walk. She has been going deaf and blind for a while now. She’s apparently walking with her legs spread out wide to try and keep her balance. I asked his to check her ears. He says they look clean, normal colored and don’t smell.

He wants to take her to the vet but can’t afford it. That’s why he called. His vet was booked solid for the day and can’t see Shera until the morning. He doesn’t want to take her anywhere else, so I booked the appointment.  I’ll know more tomorrow.

It breaks my heart to hear my Dad like this. Shera is his world, now that my Grandmather has passed away and I moved to Portland. Shera is all he has. She’s been a great dog. I’m not sure there is anything the vet can do for her. The only thing I/we can do is plan for the worst and hope for the best.