doggy equilibrium troubles

Out of the blue last night, poor Darwin stood up and then fell off his cushion on the couch. We thought he had hurt a leg...he was wobbling and falling down, couldn't walk a straight line. But when it didn't get better and he started head-tilting and stumbling even more, it was time for a late night trip to the emergency room.

Long story short: idiopathic vestibular disease, likely due to something in the brain (rather than an ear issue). If he doesn't get better in the next few days then this is the new normal, though the prognosis is usually pretty favorable (crossing fingers). In the meantime, we try to keep him quiet, monitor him so he doesn't hurt himself, watch for nausea, keep him eating and drinking, and move things out of his way so he doesn't bang into them.

It can be amusing to watch him stagger and bobble and wobble, but the confusion the poor little guy has at it all cuts through any smiles pretty quickly.

Poor little kiddo. :^(