My dog is waking in circles

[Anonymous]

Today my old dog who normally sleeps a lot wanted to go out like 10 times today. He then walked in a circle sometimes 30 minutes straight. Strange. He is 17 and a few months old.

Normally he sleep go out to yard pee and be back in five minutes. He is a little 12 pound dog. It was hot as heck today so weird.

I hope it is not a dying thing, maybe going senile? Is this unusual?

[Anonymous]

Our dog walked in circles when it had a neurological issue that affected its sense of direction and balance.

[Anonymous]

Could be a neurological issue, could be a stroke, could be an ear infection, could be a lot of things. I'd probably see the vet, but be prepared for the possibility that it isn't fixable. 17 is a long life for a dog.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like it might be a vestibular issue, which is common in old dogs.

Lots of dogs bounce back from this, at least for a few months, but if you haven't discussed the end with your vet, it's time to make a plan.

I'm so sorry

[Anonymous]

This is end stage

[Anonymous]

They could have diarrhea. Or it could be a stroke. Did you have your carpet cleaned recently? Could also be a reaction to the chemicals in carpet cleaner.

17 is really old for any breed. Good job, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like it might be a vestibular issue, which is common in old dogs.

Lots of dogs bounce back from this, at least for a few months, but if you haven't discussed the end with your vet, it's time to make a plan.

I'm so sorry

Yes, our 11 year old dog did this. Op is your dog also vomiting? Are his eyes normal?

[Anonymous]

OP my dog is now blind and is fairly deaf. That also confuses him a lot.

But literally in a tight 10 foot circle he walked 30 minutes straight till I picked him up. Later he walked towards fence stood there 20 minutes. I picked him up.

Had poop issues 2-3 days ago and went like three times.

Trouble of he poops he walks right through it as blind. We put him in a fenced off area with baby gates as I have marble tile in a 10 by 12 entry way so if pooped not on wood floors. But he cried and put him back in bed in den but a 10 foot leash to limit his walking.

I hope inner ear issue. Other than old he was fine up to a week ago.

How would I even know a stoke in a dog? He actually had a full physical and all his shots in April. Nothing wrong except lost sight and old. Had blood work too.

[Anonymous]

Mine did this when he had a brain tumor but I’m sure there are other possibilities. Does he pant while walking? Has he tried pressing his head into walls? ( mind did that to try and relieve pressure)

[Anonymous]

Strokes are quite rare in dogs, but then so is living to 17

[Anonymous]

Our old dog did this, it was an inner ear problem which is common in older dogs. It ended up going away on its own. I would call the vet I believe there is medication to help if that is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Strokes are quite rare in dogs, but then so is living to 17

Not in very small dogs. 15-18 is not rare.

[Anonymous]

Mine did this and he then lay down and died that evening. When we woke up in the morning he was gone. Your dog is 17 so not sure exactly but our dog was 15 when he died.

[Anonymous]

OP - Today July 4 my dog is acting normal again!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - Today July 4 my dog is acting normal again!!

I am very glad to hear it! Walking in circles does tend to be neurological as everyone stated above. It's possible he had a mild seizure and has since recovered. Seizures can be common in dogs and it's not always obvious.