Vestibulitis, or vestibular disease, is the inflammation of the nerves responsible for connecting the dog's inner ear to the brain. When such inflammation occurs, owners often believe their dog was victim of a severe seizure or even a stroke. Fortunately, more likely than not, the prognosis is not so grim, with the culprit often being a temporary disorder resulting from old age.
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Types
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Vestibulitis in dogs can be either central or peripheral. When it affects the inner ear, it is known as peripheral vestibular disease, and when it affects the brain, it is known as central vestibular disease.
Symptoms
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Dogs affected by vestibular disease often may develop the following symptoms: head tilt, side-to-side eye movements, dizziness, uncoordinated gait, nausea, loss of appetite, falling over and rolling. These symptoms are often confused with canine strokes and seizures.
Causes
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The causes may be various, including but not limited to: inner ear infection, old age, low thyroid levels, some ear medications, brain infections and tumors. Many times, no real known cause may be found, so the condition is referred to as "idiopathic."
Treatment
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Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Ear infections should be treated, thyroid levels should be adjusted with thyroid medicine, ear medications causing toxicosis should be stopped, and tumors should be removed, if feasible. Treatment for idiopathic or geriatric vestibular disease is often treated with medications to reduce nausea and dizziness.
Prognosis
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Many cases of geriatric vestibular disorders generally improve within a few weeks. In some cases, a permanent head tilt may remain. The prognosis for all other forms of vestibular disease vary depending on the resolution of the underlying cause.
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