possible vestibular disease

Question
Dr. Gotthelf- thank you for your follow up. The antibiotics did bring her fever down to normal and we have seen some very positive improvements.
She still has some balance problems, but her eyes look good, the confusion
is gone and she is starting to bark and play (a little with our other dog). There were no x-rays done because she is very, very hard to handle at the vet and it would require her to be completly be knocked out just to get her in the front door.

I did notice though that it looks like she broke off a back molar. I'm wondering if the tooth is absessed and if that caused the temperature and a possible ear infection. Any ideas???

Thank you again for your follow up. Ed and Cindy.
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Followup To
Question -
We have an eight year old lab mix female who has gotten sick.We took her to the vet, but he was unable to do a real thorough examination because she is so scared to goto the vet. Taking her in for any kind of examination requires that she be completely knocked out.

Her symptoms are ....
    
1. Staggering when she walks and some times
   falls.
2. Confusion.
3. Eyes not focusing.
4. Excessive drooling.
5. Shaking her head.
6. Slight head tilt.
7. Temperature of 104.

Her symptoms came on very quickly and it almost appears as if she had a stroke. Her appetite is great, although she is dropping her food when she eats and has a hard time eating from her bowl.

The vet has put her on "Flexagen", "Antoflex" (antibiotics) and Benedryl. His thoughts
are that it may be some type of inner ear infection. She has been on the medication
for four days but with little improvement. Her blood work came back fine, with the exception of a slight elevation in her liver enzymes.

From what my wife and I have researched, it looks as if she may have "vestibular disease"
but we are unsure and very concerned.

Do you have any suggestions or ideas as to what might be wrong or suggestions for treatment?

We would really appreciate your comments if possible.

Thank you. Ed and Cindy

Answer -
I would agree on a vestibular problem if it wasn't for the fever.  That rarely happens in vestibular disease(or otitis interna).

Has the vet looked at the eardrum to see if there is an infection in the middle ear causing the symptoms? Was an X-Ray of the skull and tympanic bullae taken? Have the antibiotics brought down the fever?

It is difficult for me to diagnose on the internet.

Answer
Gald to hear that she is feeling better.  If she has a bad tooth, that can explain many of the symptoms.  If she is to have the tooth pulled, that will require general anesthesia.  A blood profile should be done prior to the anesthetic to see if internally she is OK.  Ask the vet to check the ears and possibly X-Ray at that time.