Old Dog Vestibular Disease
or
Canine Idiopathic Vestibular Disease
The vestibular system is associated with the brain and the inner ear and is responsible for balance. When signals get mixed up in the vestibular system, you get symptoms that arise from being off balance. These include:
Vestibular disease is usually caused by one of several things: inner ear infections, tumors in the brain or inner ear, infection in the brain, or what we call idiopathic (meaning we don't know what causes it). The idiopathic form is the most common type seen, usually in older dogs. These signs can come on suddenly for no reason and be very severe. Treatment is usually supportive and includes anti-nausea medication, helping the dog eat and drink, anti-inflammatories and possibly antibiotics. We always make sure there is no sign of an ear infection as well. Most cases will begin to show great improvement in about 3 days, and most dogs return to normal in about a week or two. Some will have a persistent head tilt. If there is no improvement either spontaneously or with supportive care, then further testing is needed to see what the cause of the vestibular signs are (these can include repeated bloodwork, chest or abdominal x-rays, CT or MRI, and CSF tap for spinal fluid analysis). Usually we will refer you to a neurologist for these additional tests.
- Ataxia, or staggering and wobbliness when walking
- Circling to one side
- Head tilt to one side
- Falling down
- Motion sickness (vomiting and/or decreased appetite can occur)
- Nystagmus (quick motion of the eyes either horizontal, vertical or rotational)
Vestibular disease is usually caused by one of several things: inner ear infections, tumors in the brain or inner ear, infection in the brain, or what we call idiopathic (meaning we don't know what causes it). The idiopathic form is the most common type seen, usually in older dogs. These signs can come on suddenly for no reason and be very severe. Treatment is usually supportive and includes anti-nausea medication, helping the dog eat and drink, anti-inflammatories and possibly antibiotics. We always make sure there is no sign of an ear infection as well. Most cases will begin to show great improvement in about 3 days, and most dogs return to normal in about a week or two. Some will have a persistent head tilt. If there is no improvement either spontaneously or with supportive care, then further testing is needed to see what the cause of the vestibular signs are (these can include repeated bloodwork, chest or abdominal x-rays, CT or MRI, and CSF tap for spinal fluid analysis). Usually we will refer you to a neurologist for these additional tests.