04/19/2026
Hello,
I'm writing today in the hopes of helping one of our puppies. Rocky is just 6 now, from our first litter. Nelson Hercules v Eagleheart x Nakita Josephine de Jude la Cathare.
Suddenly last week, Rocky started to wobble and stumble. At first he was just holding his head on a tilt but then quickly he started stumbling and falling over. It seems to come in episodes. In between he is fine. I am attaching a video. It appears to be right sided weakness/loss of control.
Behaviourally he has not changed. He loves his usual routines and knows his usual people. He is a reactive COVID pup so he is a bit more difficult to work with at the vet's office.
The owners have tried to replicate neurological testing at home, where he can be calm and better demonstrate what's going on without the stress of the vet's office and new people.
He has been to the local vet and the on call emergency vet, including a neurologist. He's had blood work and now a MRI which has been shared to France and UK for interpretation.
The disease is not well documented in Entlebuchers but does occur in elderly Bernese Mountain Dogs. At 6 years old, Rocky is not really old enough to fit the pattern.
I'm writing to find out if anyone has seen or heard of this before? Is it something that is known in the breed? Are there owners or vets that might help us to sort through the prognosis and treatment?
There are apparently multiple types of Cerebellar disease from fairly benign to very aggressive/progressive. The outcomes are variable. But this information is based on very general canine data.
If you can think of anyone locally or worldwide that might have information, I would greatly appreciate their insights. These dogs are far too rare and it's hard to find out if the problem is related to the breed or something else.
One other possibility under consideration would be a tick or parasite related disease that affects the brain. Something like Lyme but there are many other possibilities. Rocky has not travelled extensively. He lives in Calgary on the edge of Fish Creek park, where deer and other wildlife are known to travel.
Thank you for any help. I will be sending a similar note to my contacts overseas - France and Czech. I appreciate your help.
Laureen
Bar TT Ranch Entlebuchers
