Natural Remedies

My Dog Loses Her Balance And Falls

Posted by Donner (Vancouver, Wa) on 04/20/2015

My dog is almost 6 and I have had her for approximately 3 years. I noticed that when she shakes herself she loses her balance and falls down and I thought maybe it was because she has such short legs, but when I take her on walks and we are just strolling down the road, she falls down several times and it makes it difficult to take her on walks. I thought that maybe she needed to get into shape so I kept walking her with no improvement. I have tried to find answers, my vet doesn't know what the problem is, but there is a problem. Can you offer any ideas?

Replied by Theresa
Mpls., Mn
04/20/2015

Hey Donner!

YOu do not mention your dog's breed; there are neurological conditions associated with certain breeds - it is possible there is a genetic component to your dog's falling over. Another possibility is an inner ear infection, but you would normally see other symptoms with an ear infection such as extreme pain in the head and ear area. You might try Ted's Borax protocol as a general remedy - it may help, particularly if there is a systemic yeast issue at the root of it.

Replied by Donner
Vancouver, Wa
04/21/2015

Hi, my dog is a Pit Bull, the short legged and full bodied. She is a real sweet heart and seems like she enjoys walking, but I just wish I knew what the issue is. She also pants a lot (don't know if that has anything to do with anything). She is not overweight according to our vet.

Devon Boyle
Philadelphia
07/29/2016

Hello Donner,

My dog Benjamin turned 9 last month and we have lived with his Cerebellar Ataxia since he was 3. Please do not get your girl an MRI, as that will expedite her symptoms. I have learned ALOT over the past several years about this illness and how to support it. Please do not hesitate to email me if you'd like to talk about anything or should you need anything. It's a very challenging condition. :)

Devon

Replied by Donner
Vancouver, Wa
04/21/2015

P.S. Would I find Ted's Borax at the pet store or ?

And I have been reading about Turmeric ( I use it myself) for dogs, would that be of any benefit?

Replied by Theresa
Mpls., Mn
04/22/2015

Hey Donna!

Your strain of pit bull - short legged and full bodied - has been officially recognized by the United Kennel Club as a separate breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier called the American Bully. Bully or not, APBT or American Staffordshire Terrier/AST or not, these dogs are all variations on a theme that all go back to the same ancestors. Because they share the same family/DNA they also share the same genetic diseases :-( One particular affliction seen in the AST is Cerebellar Ataxia. But because these breeds share the same roots this genetic condtion will also be found in APBT and American Bullys. This genetic disease is characterized by wobbly gait and loss of balance that appears between age 3 and 5. There is a genetic test your vet can do to rule this condition in or out- for info on the test have your vet look here:

http://www.antagene.com/en/chien/american-staffordshire-terrier

This is a very serious genetic condition and if your dog has this disease you should contact your breeder and let them know so they can avoid producing more afflicted puppies.

Now, if your dog does not have this disease then it certainly could be yeast on the brain/candida - I have seen weird symptoms in critters due to systemic yeast and saw wobbly gait and loss of balance. Read up on EC's candida page:

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/candida.html

Ted's Borax Protocol for dogs is as follows:

Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 12/12/2014

"The borax dose is the same regardless of the weight of dogs. In the end small dogs drink less than large dogs. The only difference is the sex of dogs which the female dog requires half the dosages male dogs.

So a female dog is always 1/8 teaspoon per liter dose. And male dogs is 1/4 teaspoon per liter water. Weight is irrelevant.

Timing:
Borax dosage for 1 week. Then 1/2 dosage in week 2. Stop for 1 week. Resume.

or

Borax dosage for 4 days, then no borax/water for 3 to 4 days. Continue on/off schedule until ailment clears.

Some reduce the dosage depending on weight of dog to prevent side effects but just know that beneficial effects will also take more time to see results when you reduce the dose.

This is most common dosages, just use common sense. Yes borax can be use for many unexplained conditions of dogs and human for simple reason that most unexplained conditions that cannot be cured with bacteria in majority of cases is fungus or parasites which borax does well but also is essential nutrient for the bones and hormones in mammals."

If you have ruled out an inner ear infection, consider having your girl screened for Cerebellar Ataxia, and in the mean time consider Ted's Borax protocol.

Good luck and please report back!

Replied by Theresa
Mpls., Mn
04/22/2015

Hey Donner!

Borax can be found in the laundry aisle of your local supermarket. It should be the plain kind, not scented and costs around 6 bucks.