Like humans, pets can experience vertigo. The feeling of imbalance and dizziness is frequently brought on by vestibular disease. An animal’s sense of balance is controlled by the vestibular system, which is made up of parts in the inner ear and brain.
Two distinct forms of vestibular disease exist, according to Los Angeles veterinarian Dr Patrick Mahaney. Peripheral vestibular disease is brought on by conditions outside the skull, such as inflammation in the inner ear, whereas central vestibular disease is caused by issues inside the skull, such as a tumor or stroke. Greater prevalence and typically better outcomes are associated with peripheral vestibular disease in dogs.
Older dogs are most frequently affected by vestibular disease, which is why it is sometimes called “old dog vestibular disease.” “Scientists have not yet been able to determine the condition’s underlying cause Mahaney reports anecdotal evidence that it appears to affect larger dogs, but any breed or mixed breed is vulnerable.
Vertigo can occur in cats, but it’s extremely uncommon, according to Dr. Internal medicine specialist Cathy Meeks, a group medical director at Tampa, Florida’s BluePearl Veterinary Partners The condition is typically brought on in cats by an inner ear infection or cancer. Additionally, benign tumors and polyps in cats’ ears can cause vertigo-like symptoms.
Possible Treatment Options for Dog Vertigo
Working with a veterinary neurologist to identify the cause is crucial in order to determine the best course of action for treating dog vertigo.
If thorough examination reveals that your dog has idiopathic vestibular disease, supportive care and anti-nausea medications are administered until the condition clears up on its own within a few weeks.
However, if it is discovered that your dog’s balance issue is secondary to another illness, the primary illness must be treated in order for the vestibular symptoms to go away.
Signs and symptoms of vertigo in dogs
Symptoms of Vertigo in Dogs and Cats
Animals experiencing vertigo might suddenly appear off balance. They might be unable to hold their head correctly or walk straight. They may become more vocal as a result of the discomfort and nausea caused by vestibular disease.
Falling down, being unable to stand up, and strange eye movements are additional symptoms. According to Mahaney, the eyes could turn in their sockets or move back and forth “like those old clocks your grandma had on the wall.”
Pet owners may worry that their dog needs to be put to sleep because something is seriously wrong because the symptoms can be so severe and appear so suddenly, according to Meeks. “That’s not always the case,” she assures. “In a lot of instances, it can be curable. Even though it seems terrifying, there isn’t necessarily a need to put your pet to sleep right away. ”.
FAQ
How do you treat a dog with vertigo?
Treatment of Vertigo in Dogs In these situations, a course of antibiotics will be used to get rid of the infection. If your pet is feeling queasy or anxious, sedatives, antiemetic drugs, and medications for motion sickness may also be prescribed to make them as comfortable as possible throughout the ordeal.
What causes dog vertigo?
Infections of the middle or inner ear, toxic medications, trauma or injury, tumors, and hypothyroidism are some of the causes of vestibular disease. Idiopathic vestibular syndrome is the name given to the condition when no identifiable cause can be found.