Geriatric Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome
Sometimes called vestibular disease, geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome is a disease that affects both dogs and cats. Geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome is typically not life-threatening, but has the potential to cause a number of unpleasant symptoms.
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Cause
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Veterinarians do not understand what causes geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome, but they note that the condition stems from problems in the animal's middle ear, explains Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome include staggering, stumbling, motion sickness, rapid and uncontrollable eye movements, circling, head tilting, falling over and twitching of facial muscles.
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Time Frame
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Symptoms of geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome come on suddenly. Most animals show improvement within 72 hours, and the syndrome clears completely within seven to 14 days, reports Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.
Diagnosis
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Because brain tumors, stroke and middle ear infections have the potential to cause the symptoms of geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome, a veterinarian will typically order an MRI or CT scan and examine an animal's ear canal before diagnosing the syndrome.
Considerations
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Generally, no treatment is necessary for geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome as the condition is only temporary. Despite its name, geriatric peripheral vestibular syndrome affects both old and young animals, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.
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