Pet parents may have serious concerns about vestibular disease. Your dog may be fine one minute and have a drooping face and difficulty staying upright the next.
For dog owners, the sudden onset of vestibular disease can be quite worrying; many mistakenly think their dog has had a stroke.
Veterinarian Dr. Shannon Barrett, owner of Island Veterinary
Care, states that vestibular disease is a disruption in the balance center in
dogs, which involves the inner ear.
Furthermore, Dr. Barrett notes that while vestibular disease
can be quite frightening, most cases do not involve pain. With patience and
encouraging care from their veterinarian, the majority of dogs will recover.
Finally, younger dogs are not immune to vestibular sickness, even though it is
more common in older dogs.
Continue reading to find out more about long-term care
alternatives, symptoms, treatments, and forms of vestibular disorder.
Dr. Barrett lists the following as typical symptoms of
vestibular disease in dogs. Visit a vet as soon as possible if you observe any
of these signs.
Head tilt:
When a dog tilts its head to one side, it frequently
signifies a balance issue.
Unusual eye motions:
A vestibular issue is frequently indicated by abnormal,
involuntary eye movements.
Lack of voluntary coordination of muscular movements
is a common sign of vestibular illness in dogs. This may involve stumbling,
toppling over, or leaning to one side.
Nausea and decreased appetite: Many dogs that have
vestibular disorder will have these symptoms and may not want to eat.
Facial paralysis: Fatigue and drooping on one or both
sides of the face are symptoms
Certain canine breeds—like Doberman Pinschers and German
Shepherds—are more susceptible to vestibular disease than others.
Dog vestibular disease can result from problems with the inner
ear and vestibular nerve, which are peripheral components of the vestibular
system, or the brainstem and cerebellum, which are central components. We'll
talk about the two most prevalent forms of this illness below.
"The vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve and
inner ear receptors are involved in the peripheral vestibular system,"
says Dr. Barrett. Consequently, these neurons and receptors are impacted by
peripheral vestibular dysfunction (PVD).
Causes of PVD include:
Idiopathic vestibular syndrome: As of yet, the
fundamental reason is unknown.
Otitis media: An ear infection in the middle
Otitis interna: irritation inside the ear
Hypothyroidism: thyroid that is not functioning
properly
According to Dr. Barrett, "the vestibular centers,
vestibular nuclei, and the brainstem of the cerebellum comprise the central
vestibular system." She goes on to say that central vestibular disease
(CVD), which is more severe, impacts certain parts of the brain.
Causes of CVD include:
Brain lesions: harm to the brain's tissue
Neoplasia: abnormal cell development
Systemic diseases: illnesses like hypothyroidism that may have
unintended consequences on the central nervous system
According to Dr. Barrett, a vet will do a full blood workup
at the initial check to rule out any further issues, like kidney or liver
disease.
For a thorough neurologic examination and imaging, dogs who
do not improve or appear to be getting worse are typically referred to a
veterinary neurologist. To determine the cause of the symptoms and if the dog
has central or peripheral vestibular illness, they use MRIs.
The vestibular disease's underlying cause determines the
best course of action. Dr. Barrett states, "We focus on supportive
care and symptomatic relief when patients first present." "This
includes appetite-stimulating anti-nausea medications."
If your dog is vomiting, your veterinarian may also advise
fluids. On the other hand, if an ear infection is the reason, it gets treated.
Fortunately, most dogs with vestibular disorders show
improvement without an underlying reason in a matter of weeks, according to Dr.
Barrett.
However, long-term care frequently entails routine monitoring and supportive treatment for dogs with chronic symptoms such as head tilt, facial paresis, or ataxia. The objective is to maintain your dog's comfort level while keeping an eye on any symptom improvement.
Finally, Dr. Barrett advises feeding your dog a blander but
tastier diet at home, like rice and cooked chicken.
While your dog is experiencing vestibular sickness symptoms,
you may need to make changes to their surroundings and way of life.
To guarantee the security and comfort of your dog, you can:
Harness them to assist in walking.
Steer clear of stairs if they are unstable.
Eliminate barriers that can cause trips.
Ensure that food and water are easily accessible to them.
Provide them with a cozy spot to lie down in several rooms.
The good news is that most dogs recover fully in a few of
weeks, even though it can be extremely frightening to see your dog suffer from
vestibular syndrome symptoms. Prioritize your dog's comfort and support them
during each stage of their recuperation.