Vestibular Disease In Dogs: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

The Vestibular System

Responsible for giving dogs a sense of balance and orientation as to where is up and where is down
It is made up of nerves and sensors that inform the brain of movement
When a vestibular disease is present, it will affect the ability of the brain to identify orientation and to maintain physical balance.

Disorders of This System Are Divided Into Two

Peripheral Vestibular Disease – problems are found with the inner ear. This is the most common reported case of this vestibular disease.

There is no known cause as to why the acute form of the disorder of the inner ear systems would happen.
Central Vestibular Disease – problems originate from the brain.

Symptoms of Vestibular Disease in Dogs

It usually affects age between 12 and over. Symptoms of the condition include:

Sudden dizziness
Incoordination
Rolling
Falling
Eyes appear to drift focus from side to side and up and down
Tilting of the head from one side to another

Diagnostics of Vestibular Disease in Dogs

Vets would most likely prescribe the following tests for dogs in order to help determine a cause.

Medical history
Physical Exam
Blood Studies
Urinalysis
Imaging Studies – MRI, X-Ray, CT Scan

Laboratory tests like spinal taps may also be recommended.

Vestibular Disease in Dogs Treatment

The treatment of vestibular disease will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.

Motion Sickness Drugs – these help to relieve the dizziness experienced by the animal. This can be applied whether or not the condition is central or peripheral.

If a dog has central vestibular disease, treatment is definitely going to depend on treating the underlying cause. In some instances, it may involve surgery.

Alzheimer’s disease in Dogs

Dogs are living longer now than they used to in the past. This means longer time spent with loving dog owners. But, it also means the onset of aging issues.

A condition known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS) is the canine equivalent of Alzheimer’s in humans
The exact cause of the condition is unknown
Autopsies reveal lesions and plaques in the brains of affected dogs, similar to those found in humans.
The condition is also referred to as Doggie Alzheimer’s, Doggie Dementia, and Canine Senility.
Larger breeds may be more susceptible to early aging and to signs of the condition

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s in Dogs

Here are symptoms that dog owners should be watching out for in their pets.

Disorientation
Forgetting tricks
Stops responding to even the basic commands
Forgets set routines
Practices Repetitive Behavior
Gets easily stuck in corners
Spends a lot of time under tables
Seems lost and confused even when in a familiar setting
Breaking normal boundaries they used to be familiar with
Getting lost
Wandering off
Barks for no reason
Easily agitated and can become aggressive
Experience changes in sleep patterns.
Have accidents around the house and forgetting things learned in house training
Dogs with the disease may wander around instead of sleeping

Diagnosing the condition may be difficult. Some of the signs above may be caused by some other reason. It is important to rule out other possible causes before going to the diagnosis of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.

Cause and Treatment

The cause of the condition is unknown
There is no known treatment for the condition
The best that an owner can do is to support the dog by keeping them in familiar environments.
Keeping the dog safe as possible is also necessary.
Providing mental stimulation to the pet may help

In some cases, supplementation has been shown to help improve the symptoms.

Related Posts: