best dog food for dogs with vestibular disease
Vestibular Disease in Dogs
What Is Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
Like humans, the vestibular system in dogs is responsible for maintaining balance, posture, and head position, and influences eye movement.
Vestibular System: The entire vestibular system is located within a portion of the ear, just past the eardrum, called the middle ear. Within the middle ear is a smaller area composed of many inter-related structures, collectively known as the inner ear.
Vestibular Disease: Vestibular disease is any abnormal function of the middle or inner ear (vestibular system) that causes sudden loss of balance and coordination, among other symptoms. Since the inner ear is part of the middle ear, any disease that affects the middle earor specifically targets the inner earmay cause vestibular disease.
Vestibular disease in dogs is also known as geriatric or old dog vestibular disease or canine idiopathic vestibular disease.
Is Vestibular Disease Similar to Vertigo?
Like vertigo (dizziness) in humans, vestibular disease in dogs is caused by a dysfunction of the inner ear. The symptoms of vestibular disease in dogs are similar to the symptoms of vertigo in humans.
Why Is It Called Old Dog Vestibular Disease?
When a cause of vestibular disease is unknown, it is called idiopathic vestibular disease or syndrome. This type of vestibular disease happens most commonly in older dogs, which is the reason it is known as geriatric or old dog vestibular disease.
Symptoms of Vestibular Disease in Dogs
Old dog vestibular disease happens suddenly, and symptoms traditionally do not progress or worsen over time. Your dog will show the worst symptoms of the disease within the first 48 hours and will typically improve over two to three weeks.
The most common symptoms of vestibular disease in dogs include:
Head tilting
Walking in circles
Lack of coordination
Stumbling or staggering (ataxia)
Rapid eye movement (nystagmus)
Drooling
Vomiting
Horners syndrome (drooping of the upper eyelid and face muscles on one side of face)
Causes of Vestibular Disease in Dogs
Various causes of vestibular disease in dogs include:
Ear infection that extends past the eardrum into the middle and inner ear. Middle or inner ear infections are the result of a chronic traditional ear infection, or when an ear infection is left untreated.
Ruptured eardrum or trauma caused, for example, by using a cotton-tipped applicator during your dogs ear cleaning.
Tumors or polyps growing around the middle ear.
Hypothyroidism
In extremely rare cases, some medications may cause vestibular disease in dogs like aminoglycoside antibiotics, metronidazole, or topical chlorhexidine.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Vestibular Disease in Dogs
To diagnose vestibular disease, your vet will want to know your dogs medical history including current medications, the start and progression of symptoms, and any current illnesses or conditions.
At the hospital, a physical exam will determine if your dog is showing signs of vestibular disease. If vestibular disease is confirmed, a neurological exam determines if it is a central dysfunction (tumor or polyp) or a peripheral dysfunction (ear infection).
Based on the findings of the neurological exam, your vet will determine the most appropriate test. Tests may include:
Ear cytology: A sample of debris from the ear canal is collected which identifies if yeast, bacteria, mites (or a combination) is causing an ear infection. Not all ear infections extend past the ear drum into the inner ear. Based on symptoms, the physical exam, and test results, your veterinarian can determine if an ear infection is the likely cause of the vestibular disease.
Complete blood count: Confirms or denies other systemic infections or blood-related abnormalities like anemia that may also cause stumbling similar to vestibular disease.
Internal organ function or biochemistry test: Although it cannot determine cancer or tumor location, this test can suggest if further cancer or other organ dysfunction testing is needed.
Urinalysis: Results, in conjunction with other tests, identify if an underlying condition may be the cause of the vestibular disease.
Advanced imaging: X-rays (radiographs) orCT (computed tomography) scans confirm the suspicion of polyps or tumors.
Treatment of Vestibular Disease in Dogs
Since vestibular disease in dogs is caused by an underlying condition, your vet will treat the dogs underlying condition first, and then control the effects of vestibular disease with supportive care.
Supportive care for vestibular disease is based on each dogs symptoms and may include:
Anti-nausea medication to decrease vomiting and help with motion sickness.
Topical skin care for pets that cannot walk or hold themselves in position for normal urination and defecation, to prevent urine scald, bed sores, and skin infections.
Oral antibiotics for treatment of bacterial infections.
IV (intravenous) fluids, as needed.
Sedatives to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Recovery and Management of Vestibular Disease in Dogs
Overall, the prognosis of vestibular disease in dogs is good if the underlying cause can be resolved.
Most dogs that are diagnosed with vestibular disease start to improve within one week, and often return to normalcy within three weeks. Some, however, may develop a permanent head tilt or may have continued episodes of ataxia. During recovery at home, it is important to provide a calm and quiet environment free of potential dangers such as pools, stairs, or items that may cause injury.
A recurrence of vestibular disease is possible, but uncommon. A head tilt or mild ataxia may linger, even when other symptoms are resolved. However, neither symptom is life-threatening, and dogs can go on to live a normal life.
When your dogs vestibular disease is caused by an ear infection, resolution of the ear infection usually results in resolution of the vestibular disease. When the cause of vestibular disease is unknown, symptoms usually resolve completely within three weeks.
In severe casesor cases where the underlying cause cannot be resolvedlike tumors or polyps that cannot be removed, supportive care at the hospital is needed until your dog can eat, walk, and eliminate on its own.
Vestibular Disease in Dogs FAQs
How long can dogs live with vestibular disease?
Dogs can live a long and normal life with vestibular disease, although side effects like nausea, motion sickness, episodes of ataxia, or a head tilt may still be present.
Is vestibular disease in dogs curable?
Yes, for most causes of vestibular disease in dogs, treatment will result in the complete resolution of symptoms. In cases where the cause is a growth, like a tumor or polyp, complete resolution may depend on growth removal.
Featured Image: iStock.com/LightFieldStudios
WRITTEN BY
Janice Thomas, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Janice Thomas left Cleveland, Ohio, and headed south for warmer weather and less snow. She completed her medical studies at Tuskegee...
Vestibular Disease in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment
If youve ever had issues with your balance, you know how frightening it can be. Well, dogs can have balance issues, too, and the dramatic way it manifests is scary for the dog, as well as the owner observing the signs. Any dysfunction in the bodys system for balance and equilibrium leads to something known as vestibular disease. Learn what vestibular disease in dogs looks like and what you can do to help your dog if theyre ever affected.
What Is Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
Just as in humans, the vestibular system in dogs is the part of the body responsible for balance. Located within the middle and inner ear, it sends messages to the brain about posture, head movement, and the bodys position in space. When the vestibular system isnt working as it should, a dog cannot balance or coordinate their movements.
Vestibular disease is the general term given to issues with the vestibular system. But when the condition has a sudden onset, doesnt get progressively worse, and resolves within a matter of weeks, its likely canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome (CIVS). One of the most common neurological disorders in veterinary medicine, CIVS happens most frequently in older dogs, which is why its also known as old dog vestibular disease, according to Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinarian for the AKC.
What Causes Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
Anything that causes a malfunction in the vestibular system can lead to vestibular disease. Some of the causes include an ear infection in the inner or middle ear, hypothyroidism, tumors or polyps in the middle ear, trauma to the ear such as a ruptured ear drum, and, very rarely, a reaction to medication. When a veterinarian cant find any specific reason for the condition, its diagnosed as CIVS.
Although CIVS is mostly seen in older dogs, young dogs can also exhibit vestibular disease. Certain dog breeds seem to be more susceptible to the disease than others. A recent study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine looked at over 905,000 dogs in the UK and discovered that the breeds with the highest odds of a vestibular disease diagnosis included French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
What Are the Signs of Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
Vestibular disease in dogs has characteristic symptoms. If you see any of them in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately. Although it might be CIVS, some symptoms can indicate more dangerous situations. The signs to watch for include:
- Loss of balance and falling over
- Head tilt
- Stumbling or staggering from loss of coordination, also known as ataxia
- Rapid jerking eye movements or eyes not lining up in the same direction, also known as nystagmus
- Circling continuously in one direction
- Disorientation
In addition, the disorientation can cause some dogs to feel nauseous or vomit, which can lead to a refusal to eat or drink. Dr. Klein advises, Most dogs will be reluctant to walk or stand and will often fall or lean in the direction of the head tilt.
How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
As there are many causes of vestibular disease, your veterinarian will take a thorough medical history, look at your dogs clinical signs, and run tests such as blood and urinalysis, blood pressure measurement, and potentially x-rays. Dr. Klein says, Occasionally, further imaging such as CT and MRI may be considered to rule out other causes of diseases with similar signs such as inner or middle ear anomalies or possibly brain lesions.
How Is Vestibular Disease in Dogs Treated?
For vestibular disease in dogs, treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example, if your dog has an ear infection, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics to clear it up. Once the infection is gone, the vestibular disturbance will be as well. While your dog is recovering, be sure to keep them safe. Eliminate dangers in the environment, such as stairs and slippery floors, and keep your dog calm and quiet.
For CIVS, a recent study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science found that the most common treatment involved symptomatic care, such as fluids and an antiemetic medication to treat any nausea and vomiting. Dr. Klein explains that if a dog with CIVS improves over the first two to four days, there is a good chance for a full recovery. However, he says, If a dog fails to improve during this length of time, or if the signs worsen, the prognosis will also worsen as there may be a more serious underlying issue going on with the dog requiring the assistance of a board-certified veterinary neurologist.
Can Dogs Recover From Vestibular Disease?
You might be wondering if you should put down a dog with vestibular disease. As dramatic as the signs are, no you shouldnt. As long as the underlying cause is dealt with, the prognosis for vestibular disease in dogs is good. Most dogs recover within a few weeks of diagnosis, although sometimes they can be left with a permanent head tilt or recurrent ataxia. However, there is nothing life-threatening about those symptoms. In the case where the underlying cause cannot be treated, such as with polyps or a tumor that cant be removed, your dog can still live a happy life with supportive care for their symptoms.
How to feed a dog with Vestibular disease?
Getting the news that our beloved dog has any kind of illness is devastating. Learning that your dog has Vestibular disease is a shock we dont want anyone to experience. But, what to do when your vet tells you this? Well, the first thing you will have to learn is how to feed a dog with Vestibular disease.
Vestibular disease is a condition we as dog owners need to take very seriously. We need to learn and educate ourselves about the disease itself and how to deal with it. More importantly, we need to learn how to help our dogs that suffer from this disease.
In this article, we are going to learn a little bit more about Vestibular disease, and how to be there for your dog with it. Most importantly we are going to learn how to feed a dog with Vestibular disease.
If you would like to learn more about other common diseases in dogs, you can do that through the following articles:
- What Is Cushings Disease In Dogs?
- How Do Dogs Get Heartworm Disease?
- Pigmentary Uveitis: The disease of the Golden retriever
- Addisons Disease In Golden Retrievers: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Golden Retrievers
How to feed a dog with Vestibular disease?
Before we explain how to feed your canine if he or she has Vestibular disease, we first need to explain what this disease even is. Besides this we are going to explain how it affects your dog, is there a cure, and what you can do to help your dog.
What is Vestibular disease
Vestibular disease in dogs is an idiopathic disease. Put in simple words, experts do not know what causes this condition in dogs. Vestibular disease affects your canines vestibular system (hence the name) within the inner and middle ear.
What this disease does to your dog is basically affect their balance. Usually, the vestibular system inside your dog sends information to the brain about what the body is doing, if its moving, standing, running, sitting, jumping, leaning, and so on.
However, when a dog has Vestibular disease this is not the case, your dogs balance is affected. In the case that your dogs vestibular system isnt functioning right then, canines experience dizziness and have difficulty maintaining balance and walking in a straight line.
Vestibular disease happens suddenly, without much warning. However, it is a non-progressive disease.
Generally speaking, the symptoms of Vestibular disease are the worst during the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
After this period your dogs condition should begin to improve over the course of the following seventy-two hours. Full recovery usually is achieved after two to three weeks.
Symptoms of Vestibular disease
Now that we know what part of your dogs body is affected by Vestibular disease, lets see what the symptoms of this disease are.
As weve already mentioned this disease affects your dogs balance, if your dog has this condition then you might notice some or all of the following symptoms:
- Loss of balance / falling over
- Circling in one direction
- Staggering or Stumbling
- Poor coordination
- Pronounced Head Tilt
- Nausea or vomiting
- Reluctance to eat or drink
If you notice any of these symptoms please contact your veterinarian immediately and let them know what is happening. Its true that all of these symptoms point to vestibular disease, but they can also be symptoms of other, more severe, illnesses. Its best that your veterinarian performs tests in order to know for sure what is going on with your dog.
How to help your dog
The good news is Vestibular disease isnt painful, however, your dog will experience discomfort during this time.
What you can do to help your dog during this time is provide them with a comfortable place to rest. Its also advised that you keep your floor clear of any objects that your dog cour stumble over and fall, or hurt themselves.
Besides this, you should keep food and water at all times accessible to your dog. While were on the topic of food and water, lets see how to feed a dog with vestibular disease.
Feeding a dog with Vestibular disease
Dogs that have Vestibular disease struggle to eat. Your dog is probably swaying from side to side, they tilt their head, collapse to the floor.
Besides this, your dog will have a hard time keeping its head up and focused on the food bowl. Dogs with Vestibular disease will usually also refuse food because they feel sick and nauseous.
Thats where you can help them. Ask your veterinarian to prescribe anti-nausea medicine, this will ease their nausea. This is why eating is very difficult for them.
You can also make your dogs food a little bit more appealing by adding tasty gravy, or a little canned food into its kibble.
Its important that your dog gets all the needed nutrients, so consider adding supplements to your dogs diet as well.
When it comes to your dogs bowls, the best thing you can do is place them against a wall or in a corner so that your dog can get support when losing balance.
My name is Jackie and I am a veterinarian with a degree in veterinary medicine. With extensive experience in treating various animals, I am known for my compassionate and personalized approach to animal care.
