QUESTION

My 13 year old female border collie has been really healthy all her life. Six months ago she went sudenly very deaf. Now when she shakes herself (as normal dogs do from time to time) she is very unbalanced, falling flat on her face more often then not, it only happens when she shakes or when turning to fetch a ball. She has no other simptoms, not head tilt , no personality change , no energy loss.... the vet put her on vivtonin.... its not worked brilliantly, she has fell over once a day rather than twice... the last time she hit the step and has now a thick lip.... she still ran after her toy on three legs. Any ideas? Or is old age?

Cilla

ANSWER

Dear Cilla,
It is possible that your dog has a middle ear problem. I would recommend that the dog is x-rayed to look at the tympanic bullae. At the same time they should check the ear canals and ear drums.

Andrew Geldard