Dog owners will notice canine dizziness typically when the dog appears to lose its balance. A head tilt, vomiting and salivation are also some of the symptoms. Dogs experiencing dizzy spells may circle in one direction in an attempt to gain their bearings. Canine dizziness is a symptom of an underlying condition or disease. The cure depends on the veterinary diagnosis of the cause.
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Antibiotics
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If a bacterial infections is the cause of dizziness, a veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics. Typical courses for antibiotics range from two weeks to one month. Length of use is based on the specific bacterial cause of the infection and the health and age of the dog. An infection of the inner ear is a common cause of dizziness.
Medications for Ongoing Conditions
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Ongoing conditions such as thyroid imbalances and geriatric problems cause dizziness. Your veterinarian will prescribe medications specific to the root of the dizziness to control the ongoing condition. These medications will most likely be for the life of the dog. In controlling the underlying problem, dizziness symptoms should lessen or disappear. For example, when thyroid imbalances cause dizziness, a vet will place the dog on medication to balance the thyroid, such as Soloxine and Levothryroxine. Thyroid medications, once prescribed, will be administered daily for the life span of the dog.
Treatments for Brain Conditions
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Dizziness is often one of many symptoms associated with maladies of the brain. The treatments for dizziness caused by brain problems will depend on the specifics of the underlying cause. Veterinary diagnostics are the first step in the attempt to find the cause of the symptoms. Cancers, brain tumors, brain lesions, strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries can cause dizziness. A veterinarian will need to determine treatment case by case. Examples include the use of steroids to reduce inflammation in brain or spinal cord injuries, surgical intervention for operable brain tumors and lesions, and chemotherapy in pill or intravenous form to lessen the affects of some types of cancers. The goal is to return the brain or spinal cord function back to normal, lessening dizziness and other symptoms.
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