Vestibular in Dogs
A dog's vestibular system keeps her head and body in correct orientation. If her vestibular system isn't functioning property she will be off balance and exhibit other symptoms that many pet guardians mistake as signs of a stroke.
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Types
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Central vestibular disease occurs as the result of an abnormality in the dog's brain. Peripheral vestibular disease occurs as the result of an abnormality in the dog's inner ear nerves.
Candidates
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Dogs most often affected by vestibular disease are older. The average age of dogs with the condition is between 12 and 13 years of age.
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Symptoms
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Dogs with vestibular disorders will seem to be very dizzy. Other symptoms of a vestibular disorder are falling, lack of coordination, head tilt, circling, rolling, drifting eyes, stumbling and a "drunken" gait.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian will perform several tests to determine if the dog does indeed have vestibular disease. These will likely include a blood count, biochemistry tests, urinalysis, spinal tap, MRIs and x-rays of the pet's head.
Other Conditions
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The need for the diagnostic tests exists because there are many other conditions that can cause a dog to exhibit the symptoms seen with vestibular disease. Some of these are inner ear infections, head trauma, middle ear cancer and middle ear polyps.
Treatment
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In most cases of peripheral vestibular disease with no underlying cause, the condition improves within a few weeks and no treatment is needed. In many cases, the cause of central vestibular disease is a brain tumor and treatment may involve surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, if treatment is possible.
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