{"url":"https://www.zooplus.co.uk/magazine/dog/dog-health-and-care/vestibular-syndrome-in-dogs","title":"Vestibular Syndrome in Dogs","mag_id":364181,"is_single":true,"cat_name":"Dog","sub_cat_id":143,"sub_cat_name":"Dog Health and Care","cat_id":3410}
When dogs tilt their heads or their eyes can't keep still, these are usually signs of Vestibular Syndrome.
Riding a carousel is great fun. But too much of a good thing can make you feel queasy. Dogs with vestibular syndrome experience something similar. Find out what lies behind this condition and whether vestibular syndrome in dogs is curable in this article.
Vestibular syndrome in dogs is a disorder of the balance organ. As alarming as the symptoms may look, the syndrome is not inherently dangerous.
Nevertheless, dog owners should not underestimate the underlying causes and should seek treatment in a timely manner.
Which Dogs Are Prone to Vestibular Syndrome?
Older dogs are particularly susceptible to vestibular syndrome. However, any dog can be affected by the balance disorder, regardless of its breed or sex.
Symptoms: What Are Typical Signs of Vestibular Syndrome in Dogs?
Dog owners can most clearly recognize whether their pet is affected by vestibular syndrome through sudden onset neurological disturbances. Many pet parents describe the incident as if it were a stroke.
Depending on the severity of the syndrome, the following symptoms may occur in dogs:
Oscillating eyes (nystagmus)
Head tilt
Lameness and movement disorders
Additionally, due to the nausea that accompanies it, affected dogs often vomit. Since vestibular syndrome only impacts the balance sense, the affected dogs are generally in good condition apart from the symptoms that may seem alarming to humans.
When Should I Visit the Vet?
If your dog’s movements are impaired or its state of health has otherwise changed, you should inform your veterinarian.
The sooner a professional examines your pet, the quicker its condition can improve with the appropriate treatment. Depending on what’s causing the illness, a visit to the vet also boosts the chances of recovery.
Diagnosis: How is Vestibular Syndrome in Dogs Diagnosed?
Since vestibular syndrome often presents with pronounced symptoms, veterinarians are usually quick to determine whether there is a neurological issue in the four-legged patient.
However, to effectively combat the disease, its source must be pinpointed first. To this end, the veterinarian will conduct a range of examinations.
Ear Examination
If your dog has an ear infection, the vet can detect it by looking into the ear canal using an otoscope – a small magnifying glass with its own light source.
By testing various senses and stimuli, such as vision and reflexes, your veterinarian can gain important clues to locate the problem.
Imaging Techniques
An X-ray can aid the vet in identifying inflammations or tumours in internal organs or bone structures. However, a more detailed look at your dog’s brain may require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
An MRI allows the vet to investigate the cause of vestibular syndrome.
Therapy: How is Vestibular Syndrome Treated?
Currently, there is no cure for vestibular syndrome in dogs. Typically, the condition resolves itself after a short time. In severe cases, symptomatic measures can be taken to temporarily relieve your pet’s discomfort.
Possible supportive measures include:
Infusions with electrolytes or fluids
Administration of medications such as anti-nausea drugs, Vitamin B or Karsivan for circulation disorders
Important: Be patient with your dog. Aid it through this challenging time and offer support with eating and drinking. Moreover, it is crucial to treat the underlying illness. Only then can your dog lead a healthy life in the long term.
When Must a Vet Euthanise a Dog with Vestibular Syndrome?
The symptoms of vestibular syndrome can quickly create the impression of unbearable suffering for the pet owner. Many dog owners then wonder if they should spare their pet this ordeal.
However, in most dogs and cats, the syndrome disappears on its own within a few hours or days. As such, euthanasia is only considered if the vet identifies a life-threatening cause with no chance of recovery.
Causes: What Triggers Vestibular Syndrome in Dogs?
The balance organ, also known as the vestibular apparatus, is located in the back part of the ear. This vestibular structure plays a vital role in maintaining a dog’s balance. If the structure is impaired, vestibular syndrome can ensue.
The origin of the condition is not always straightforwardly apparent. It often occurs in aging dogs, which is why vets refer to the geriatric form as idiopathic.
Irrespective of age, dogs can also develop vestibular syndrome if external or internal factors damage parts of the vestibular apparatus or associated brain structures. There are two types: peripheral and central syndrome.
Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome
This term describes the condition resulting from damage to the balance organ itself, specifically the inner ear and the eighth cranial nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve). Potential causes include injuries or inflammations.
Central Vestibular Syndrome
Central vestibular syndrome occurs when the four vestibular nuclei in the brain are damaged.
Possible causes include cancer or infectious diseases such as canine distemper. Neurological deficits in dogs can also be explained by a poisoning with medications or plant toxins.
Prognosis: Is Vestibular Syndrome Curable?
As quickly as vestibular syndrome appears in dogs, in most cases, it disappears just as rapidly. Nevertheless, it’s essential to have your pet examined by a vet to rule out serious illnesses.
Prevention: Is it Possible to Protect Dogs From Vestibular Syndrome?
There is no effective defence against vestibular syndrome for dogs. Essentially, you should endeavour to promote your dog’s health as much as possible.
For example, keep your dog fit and ensure it is nourished in a healthy way. Take regular walks with your four-legged friend and stimulate its brain with fun games. Dog sports are also a great way to keep the body and mind in shape.
This article from zooplus Magazine is purely informative. If your pet is experiencing discomfort, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Here are some purchase proposals curated by the zooplus editorial team
The products featured have been carefully selected by our editorial staff and are available at the zooplus online pet shop. The selection does not constitute advertising for the mentioned brands.
Franziska G., Veterinarian
At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene.
Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future.
Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
Although the heat period is an entirely natural process for female dogs, irritation at stains on the new carpet, fear of an unwanted pregnancy or their pet's strange behaviour can cause many dog owners to worry. Find out here everything you need to know about your female dog's heat period and how you can both overcome this without any stress.
16 February 2024 |Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease transmitted by sandflies and can often prove fatal for dogs. Find out how you can protect your dog and how to recognise and treat the disease should it emerge.
Neutering has traditionally been a standard veterinary practice, but is it universally recommended? What distinguishes neutering from sterilisation and what expenses should a dog owner anticipate? Here, you can discover all the essential information concerning the advantages and disadvantages of neutering your dog.
