Vestibular Problems in Dogs
The vestibular system consists of nerves from the brain to the inner ear, which send messages to the brain to control standing, sitting, lying down, spinning, falling down and staying balanced. Vestibular disease affects the brain's ability to recognize and correct abnormal movement. Vestibular disorders can be either central or peripheral. Central vestibular disease results from an abnormality of the brain, whereas peripheral vestibular disease is the result of abnormalities within the nerves of the inner ear.
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Causes
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Most cases of vestibular disease are peripheral and they usually affect older dogs with an average age of 12 to 13 years. It can affect the middle-aged dog as well. According to Pet Place peripheral vestibular disease is idiopathic (no known cause). The problem seems to involve an inflammation of the nerves within the inner ear that connect to the part of the brain that controls balance and movement.
Symptoms
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Some of the symptoms are a lack of coordination, falling, circling, rolling around, tilting the head to one side, stumbling, staggering and erratic walking. An affected dog's eyes may drift from side to side or up and down.
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Diagnosis
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Special diagnostic tests are required in order to treat your dog because there are other diseases with similar symptoms. Your veterinarian may order a complete blood count, serum biochemistry tests to evaluate blood glucose, liver and kidney function and electrolyte balance, a urinalysis, and other tests according to your dogs' medical history and presentation.
Treatment
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Treatment is aimed at reducing disorientation in your dog. If your dog is still eating well with no signs of nausea, no medications will be needed. Your dog, however, may be prescribed a motion sickness medication if experiencing a lack of appetite associated with vomiting and instability. These medications can help with the nausea and dizziness. Most dogs will recover from vestibular disease within two weeks with the recommended treatment by your veterinarian and good home care.
Home Care
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It is important to monitor your dog and administer all prescribed medications per your veterinarian's instructions. Most cases of vestibular disease in dogs will resolve themselves in a quiet monitored home environment. If your dog doesn't improve or seems to worsen, you will need to get it back to the vet's office for further tests and/or treatment. In nursing your dog back to health, speak calmly and soothingly, be sure your dog cannot injure itself (for example, by falling down stairs or walking into sharp corners) and monitor vomiting and seizures.
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References
- Photo Credit dogs are fighting image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
