A vestibular disorder affects a dog's ability to maintain balance, leading to disorientation and dizziness. Dogs can suffer from either central vestibular disease or peripheral vestibular disease. These disorders mainly occur in dogs between 12 and 13 years old.
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Vestibular disorders usually affect older dogs.
Cause
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Brain tumors can cause central vestibular disease. Peripheral vestibular disease occurs due to an abnormality in the inner ear, although the underlying cause is usually not found.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of both types include stumbling, head tilting to one side, a lack of coordination, falling and involuntary eye movements. Peripheral vestibular disease can also cause facial paralysis. Central vestibular disease can cause head tremor, weakened jaw and depression.
Considerations
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Other illnesses and conditions that resemble central vestibular disease include thiamine deficiency, bacterial brain infections and viruses such as rabies. Inner ear infections, middle ear cancer and low thyroid function share similar symptoms with peripheral vestibular disease.
Diagnosis
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Diagnostic procedures include a neurological exam, complete blood count, urinalysis and serum biochemistry tests to rule out other illnesses and determine the underlying cause.
Treatment
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Motion sickness medications can be given to relieve dizziness. Peripheral vestibular disorders usually improve without any additional treatment within two weeks. Treatments for central vestibular disorders include radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy.
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