Canine Vestibular Disease

canine vestibular disease

Canine vestibular disease is more common in a geriatric or older dog & comes in two types, peripheral vestibular disorder & Viz central.

This syndrome will normally attack an older dog over the age of 10 years old. Sometimes the symptoms of this condition get confused with the symptoms of a stroke due to their similarities.  

The syndrome is closely linked to abnormalities in the balancing mechanism and movement of the body and it can also affect the inner ear which is called Neuronitis.

The condition is split into two different types...although the cause is often not known...
  1. Viz Central - This type develops due to your dog developing a disease in the brain
  2. Peripheral Vestibular Disease - This type develops due to abnormalities in your dogs nerves that are connected to the inner ear (Neuronitis) and the cerebellum in your dog's brain.

The Causes...


Although the causes of canine vestibular disease are not always known, there are some theories as to why it occurs including...
  1. Lesions on the brain
  2. Infections in your dog's inner ear.
  3. Through tick bites
  4. Rocky mountain spotted fever
  5. Congenital defects that have occurred before or after the time of birth
  6. Due to age - as previously mentioned - the syndrome will normally affect an older dog over 10 years of age and normally between the age of 12 and 13.
  7. If there is no medical reason for the cause then it is called Idiopathic Vestibular disease - this type is quite likely to re-occur and return.

The Symptoms


The symptoms of canine vestibular disease include...
  1. A sudden loss of bodily coordination
  2. Your dog may tilt his head to one side
  3. Your dog may repeatedly fall over
  4. Stumbling when walking or if it's really severe your dog may be not be able to stand up without support.
  5. You may notice that your dog's eyes roll from one side to another - this is called Nystagmus.
  6. Motion sickness is another symptom
  7. Your dog may start walking in circles.
  8. A complete loss or lack of control over facial muscles and the head.
  9. Dizziness
  10. Loss of appetite.
Symptoms of the condition will normally last about 2-3 weeks although the head tilting may least for several months.

Diagnosis and Treatment...


Diagnosis...

The diagnosis of canine vestibular disease involves...
  1. Neurological tests
  2. Blood tests
  3. Urine samples
  4. Physical examination
  5. Ear canal examination
Treatment...

Unfortunately there is no real cure for this condition and it will normally run it's cause and lead to a full recovery after 2-3 weeks.

The treatment will normally depend on the symptoms that your dog exhibits. For example if your dog has motion sickness or dizziness then the vet may prescribe antibiotics to stop the sickness. If your dog has an ear canal infection the again antibiotics maybe prescribed.

If the vet thinks that the disease is caused by thyroid problems then the vet may prescribes thyroid supplements.



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