Vestibular disease in dogs is a distressing illness, not just for dogs but also for their owners. Its symptoms are closely similar to stroke or brain tumor, which causes unsteady gait and other mobility issues.
Can vestibular disease in dogs be cured, and what is the cause of vestibular disease in dogs?
What Is Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
To understand how vestibular disease affects dogs, we must first learn about the vestibular system’s function. It is responsible for maintaining balance and prevents dogs from falling over.
This condition is called vestibular disease when there is a disruption of balance. It comes with many names, including old dog disease or old rolling dog syndrome.
Dogs affected with this health issue have difficulties controlling their balance and cannot walk in a straight line.
What Are the 2 Types of Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
The vestibular system in dogs has two major components: the control centre found at the back of the brain and sensors located within the inner ear. The two types of vestibular disease in dogs refer to the malfunction of each of these parts.
Peripheral Vestibular Disease in Dogs
It is the most common form of vestibular disease in dogs. This condition occurs due to disorders in the ear canal and its nerves. Compared to its counterpart, the peripheral vestibular disease is a less severe issue.
Central Vestibular Disease in Dogs
Although this form rarely occurs in dogs, when it does, it is considered a serious ailment. That is because the main cause of central vestibular disease originates from the central nervous system.
What Triggers Vestibular Balance Disorders?
Several factors increase the risk of dogs developing vestibular balance disorders. Let us look at some of them.
1. Underlying Health Issues
Vestibular balance disorders can be caused by several health issues. Peripheral vestibular disease in dogs is commonly a result of ear infections and perforated eardrums.
On the other hand, central vestibular disease is often caused by brain tumours and nerve inflammation.
Other diseases that prompt the development of vestibular balance disorders are:
- Hypothyroidism
- Trauma due to road traffic and other accidents
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Stroke
2. Exposure to Antibiotics
Some dogs are susceptible to certain antibiotic treatments. Vestibular balance disorder is one of the side effects they might experience when medicated with antibiotics.
3. Age, Size, and Breed
Vestibular disease can happen to dogs of any age and size regardless of their breed, but older dogs and large breeds are commonly diagnosed with this health issue.
Certain breeds are predisposed to developing vestibular balance disorders at a young age too (around three months old), such as:
Many factors contribute to the occurrence of vestibular balance disorders in dogs, but in most cases, the cause of this health problem cannot be identified; thus, named canine idiopathic vestibular disease.
What Are the Signs of Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
Dogs with vestibular disease can display a broad range of symptoms. The most common are head tilt, rapid eye movements, and loss of balance.
Other clinical signs of vestibular disease in dogs to look out for are:
- Walking in circles
- Disorientation
- Difficulties in walking
- Nausea
- Vomiting due to motion sickness
- Reluctance to eat or drink
How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Vestibular Disease?
Vestibular disease in dogs’ symptoms can mimic serious health problems such as stroke. Distinguishing them can be difficult, especially if you do not have medical experience. With the vet’s help, you can easily overcome this hurdle.
They will conduct a physical examination and neurological assessment to determine if your dog has a peripheral or central type of vestibular disease.
The following diagnostic testing may also be carried out to obtain precise results:
- X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans can spot deep ear infections as well as tumours in dogs.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is used to detect any abnormalities in dogs’ brain and spinal cord.
- A biopsy will be recommended if tumours are found for further examination.
- Blood tests are performed to eliminate other potential causes of certain symptoms, which helps narrow down the root cause of the vestibular disease.
After the diagnostic results show the primary instigator of your dog’s condition, the vet will give appropriate treatment.
Is Vestibular Disease in Dogs Curable?
Vestibular disease in dogs is not a life-long health issue. In fact, in many cases, it disappears after a few weeks. However, getting your dog checked by the vet is recommended to ensure his condition does not worsen.
How Do You Treat Vestibular Disease in Dogs at Home?
Vestibular disease in dogs can go away on its own, but it is a very uncomfortable condition for your pet to deal with. Here are a few tips to keep him comfortable at home whilst he rides out its symptoms:
1. Confine your dog in a safe area.
The essential part of vestibular disease in dogs’ home treatment is to protect your pet from injuries. His mobility issues make him highly vulnerable to accidents.
So keep him confined in a small room devoid of hazards such as electrical cords, furniture, and stairs. Make sure to clear up the floor from any clutter that could cause your dog to trip over it.
2. Use weight supportive equipment.
The loss of sense of balance can turn your dog’s gait wobbly. Although carrying him may seem a good idea, refrain from doing so as it would do little to help.
What your dog needs are to recalibrate his vestibular system. Thus, allow him to walk around with the help of a well-fitted harness. It offers additional support, which prevents him from toppling over. Consider letting him wear a lightly weighted vest as well to provide a reassuring sense of stability.
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3. Mind his body position when he is resting.
Placing your dog in a comfortable position can alleviate his dizziness. Roll a towel and place it under his neck for support. Putting pillows around his body will provide extra comfort too.
Keep in mind that lying down in the same position for prolonged periods can lead to body sores. To prevent this problem, reposition your dog every 2–6 hours.
4. Carry out core exercises.
Core exercises will help your dog acquire more abdominal strength. One way to do this is to move his head gently, and neck left, and right whilst his body remains still. Do this about six times to each side. Repeat this core exercise 2–3 times a day at most.
5. Provide easy access to food and water.
How to feed a dog with vestibular disease? A few adjustments must be made when feeding a dog with vestibular disease. Place his food and water bowls against the wall so there is instant support in case he loses balance.
It is also good to switch from regular food and water bowls to elevated ones. This keeps your dog from straining his head down too much, which could exacerbate his dizziness.
Mealtimes can be messy if your dog suffers from vestibular disease, so feed him in an easy-to-clean area. Make sure it has a slip-free surface such as yoga mats and rubber-backed rugs to avoid accidents.
How Does the Vet Treat Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
Treating vestibular disease in dogs serves two functions: getting rid of the underlying cause and providing nursing care.
Dogs suffering from disorientation will be given sedatives, anti-vertigo medications, and anti-nausea drugs for relief. This treatment is also applied to dogs with stroke or vascular incidents.
Some dogs with the vestibular disease have trouble drinking water due to motion sickness. To prevent dehydration, they are supplied with IV fluids until they can walk independently.
Dogs with middle or inner ear infections are medicated with antibiotics to resolve their health issue. If the main reason for vestibular disease is a brain tumour, surgical removal will be recommended by the vet.
However, chemotherapy and radiation are the most suitable options if the tumor is cancerous.
Dogs that suffer from vestibular disease because of hypothyroidism will have thyroid supplementation. For canines that sustained trauma to their vestibular system, supportive care and, if required, surgery will be performed to clear up their health issue.
Is Vestibular Disease in Dogs Fatal?
Vestibular disease in dogs is not a life-threatening health issue. Most canines affected with this condition completely recover within 2–3 weeks.
Pet owners may be alarmed during the first 24–48 hour appearance of its symptoms as they can be very severe. Generally, these signs begin to abate within 72 hours.
Beware that whilst most clinical signs resolve on their own, head tilt can be permanent in some dogs, which is true for older canines.
Does Vestibular Disease Recur in Dogs?
Vestibular disease in dogs rarely recurs, but it is possible. There is no way to predict when it will happen. However, it is observed that vestibular disease reappears after dogs show initial improvement.
Moreover, the interval between episodes is usually longer. Generally, the clinical signs may show up again a few months or more after the last occurrence of vestibular disease.
How Long Do Dogs Live with Vestibular Disease?
Dogs typically live a long and normal life after treatment has resolved all the symptoms when it comes to the vestibular syndrome. However, the prognosis is rather dim in cases of central vestibular disease caused by cancerous tumours.
Since cancer is a highly debilitating disease, affected dogs can only live one year or longer even with proper treatment. Without consistent medical care, their lifespan will be much shorter.