Vestibular disease in dogs: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

The vestibular system helps provide balance and a sense of spatial orientation to dogs. But a dysfunction can have serious effects on the balance systems of the dog’s body. This system includes the parts of the inner ear and the brain, which are responsible for balance and eye movements. If the network is damaged by disease, aging, or injury, serious disturbances can occur and are often associated with one or more of these signs, including vertigo and dizziness.

There are two types of this disorder in dogs:

• Central vestibular disorder

• Peripheral vestibular disorder

The first is a less common but more serious form of this disease that originates within the central nervous system.

The second type of this disease occurs when there is discomfort in the nerves that connect the inner ear to the brain. This results in a lack of balance and other symptoms that lead to vertigo and dizziness. This disease can seem quite melodramatic to the dog owner if it is the first time the dog has been affected. But most of the time the dog recovers with supportive care and treatment.

Causes

• Chronic and perennial infections of the inner and middle ear.

• Excessive cleaning of the ears leading to perforation of the eardrum

• Head injury trauma

• Career

• Tumors

• Polyps

• Hypothyroidism

• Meningoencephalitis

Signs and symptoms

• Head tilt

• Loss of coordination

• Spinning and stumbling

• Amazing

• Falling and rolling

Congenital vestibular disease is seen between birth and three months of age. Certain dogs are more predisposed to this condition, including Doberman Pinschers, English Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, German Shepherd, Tibetan Terrier, and Smooth Fox Terrier.

This disorder is often mistaken for a stroke. Vertigo caused by this disease has an adverse effect on older dogs with symptoms such as difficulty standing, circling, nystagmus, nausea, and head tilt. Older dogs are more stressed due to this disease, so it is necessary to reduce their stress through earthy soothing agents like amino acid, L-theanine, and herbs like hops, valerian, chamomile, and passionflower. Other remedies, such as GABA, flower essences, tryptophan, and homeopathic, are also good for calming overwhelmed dogs.

Diagnosis

The vet would perform a physical exam to determine if the disorder is peripheral or central. In case a peripheral form of the condition is found, the vet would use an otoscope to look deep into the pet’s ears. There are times when X-rays would be needed. The vet would also take the help of blood tests, culture, sensitivity, and cytology to get rid of other likely causes of specific symptoms. For tumors and polyps, your veterinarian will propose a surgical biopsy. In case central vestibular disease is determined, the vet would use an MRI or CT scan along with spinal fluid taps to find the root cause. If it is due to an infection, it must be resolved.

Treatment

Nausea and vomiting can be relieved with motion sickness treatments, but there is no specific treatment to control congenital vestibular disease. For middle or inner ear infection, antibiotics may be required to improve the condition. In case an underactive thyroid is the reason, the disorder will resolve when the metabolic condition is precisely controlled. If treatment is the main cause, stopping treatment can lead to complete resolution. But there are times when there may be some residual hearing impairment. To completely cure this situation, the vet would remove the polyps, but if there are cancerous tumors, the conclusion is generally less positive.

This disease has a poor prognosis than the peripheral form as a result of potential dangers to the brainstem that can be quite devastating. If an infection is found, it must be treated. In case of an inflammatory condition, it may react to treatment at first, but it can progress to a point where it could be untreatable. But the most common form of vestibular disease, the peripheral form, improves rapidly, once the inherent cause is addressed and the symptoms of vertigo are treated with supportive care.