Vestibular dysfunction in dogs is often called vestibular disease. Vestibular disease occurs in older pets (12 years or more) and is characterized by being off balance, head tilting, swaying in a circular motion, involuntary eye movements and occasionally vomiting. Vestibular disease is often disconcerting and pet owners can mistake it for other conditions, such as strokes or seizures.
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Definition
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The vestibular system allows dogs to orient themselves and maintain balance. It is the central nervous system's balance control. It uses a combination of visual, gravitational and movement orientation. Vestibular dysfunction occurs when more than two of the three of the dog's orientation systems do not function correctly.
Symptoms
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Common symptoms of vestibular disease include nystagmus (spontaneous and abnormal eye movements), a pronounced head tilt and ataxia in the form of a wide-based stance where the head and body sway, often in a circle.
Common Causes
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There are several potential causes for vestibular disease. The most common causes are idiopathic vestibular disease and inner ear disease, which accounts for most of the cases veterinarians see. Canine idiopathic vestibular disease is common in old dogs and is characterized by a sudden onset. The disease will often clear itself up within two weeks. Why this occurs is unknown. Inner ear disease, including middle ear and inner ear infections, is also a common reason for vestibular disease. A veterinarian must identify the infection with an otoscope or even X-rays to diagnose it.
Other Causes
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Cancer and brain tumors can cause vestibular dysfunction. X-rays, CT scans or an MRI scan may be necessary to diagnose the cause. Some forms of vestibular disease appear as a congenital disease among certain dog breeds, including English cocker spaniels, German shepherds and Doberman pinschers. Like idiopathic vestibular disease, these often clear up spontaneously. Hypothyroidism, thiamine deficiency and encephalitis due to various infections and diseases such as distemper and Lyme disease can cause vestibular dysfunction. Lastly, overdose and poison can cause vestibular disease. This can include organophosphate poisonings and medications put into the ear. Your veterinarian will need to know what was used or ingested in order to diagnose and treat it.
Treatment
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With idiopathic vestibular disease, there is no way to prevent it and the cure is time. Some veterinarians prescribe prednisone to treat the disease. With other forms of vestibular disease, your veterinarian can prescribe a course of treatment for that disease. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to treat an ear infection. If your dog has hypothyroidism, he can be treated with thyroid medications. Veterinarians may prescribe corticosteroids such as prednisone to treat some forms of encephalitis.
Prevention
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Keep all poisons out of reach of your dog and do not put medications in your dog's ears without consulting your veterinarian first. Always keep your dog's vaccinations current to avoid diseases such as distemper.
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