The vestibular system is made up of nerves that run from the brain to the inner ear and is chiefly responsible for maintaining proper functioning of your body in relation to gravity. Vestibular disease affects the brain's ability to coordinate movements and usually affects dogs who are older (12 years and up). With proper diagnosis and treatment, your dog will likely recover fully. If you suspect that your dog is showing any signs of vestibular disease, call your vet immediately and speak to your dog in soothing tones to help keep him calm.
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Medical Treatment
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Seeking treatment from your vet as soon as possible is imperative. The initial treatment of vestibular disease is largely based upon the symptoms that your dog is experiencing. Common symptoms include circling, falling, vomiting, loss of appetite, stumbling, eyes drifting up and down or side to side, tilting of the head and uncoordinated movement. So, for example, if your dog is vomiting and unable to eat, your doctor may prescribe a medication to treat motion sickness. Common medications used are meclizine (0.5 to 1 mg per pound, twice daily) or diphenhydramine (1 mg per pound, twice daily).
Successful long term treatment will depend on the cause of your dog's vestibular disease. Common causes include ear infection, hypothyroidism, toxicity, cancer and encephalitis. In the case of ear infection or infection-caused encephalitis, antibiotics are successful in treating both the infection and the resulting vestibular disease. In the case of hypothyroidism, thyroid supplementation is quite effective and the vestibular disease usually goes away within two months. Toxicity is usually treated with medications administered in the ear. In cancer cases, tumors located in the inner ear or brain can be a root cause of vestibular syndrome. Shrinking or removing the tumor (when possible) is usually an effective treatment. There is also another type of vestibular disease known as Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome. There is no clear cause and symptoms abruptly develop. This is more common in older dogs and the condition usually clears up on its own within approximately two weeks.
Home Care and Recovery
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Nursing care and good home care is crucial during the recovery process. While vestibular disease is not a life threatening condition, it's quite distressing to see your beloved dog exhibiting symptoms. Recovery time varies in accordance with the age and overall health of your dog. It's crucial to ensure that your dog rests and has plenty of quiet time throughout his recovery. If you must lift or carry your dog, hold her paw pads while you do so to help avoid disorientation. To help your dog regain a sense of balance, keeping his feet on the ground and eyes on the horizon will help. The prognosis for a dog with vestibular disease is generally very good. Even when they do not recover 100 percent, they still can lead good, full lives. If you sense that your dog is relapsing or worsening, contact your veterinarian immediately.
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