Loss of balance can result from a number of serious underlying medical issues, including poisoning, stroke, injury, or an infection. In today's blog, our Rock Hill Emergency and Specialty Vets explain why you should get to an animal hospital right away if your dog is experiencing balance issues.

Why is my dog wobbly and off balance all of a sudden?

Potential causes include inner/middle ear infections, intoxication, strokes, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases (meningitis), idiopathic vestibular disease (also called “old dog” vestibular syndrome), or other less likely causes.

Why is my dog stumbling all of a sudden?

If your dog is staggering, stumbling, or falling over, it may be the result of a variety of medical issues, including injury, stroke, poisoning, or an infection.

Why is my dog suddenly walking like drunk?

Your dog could be suffering from a sensory dysfunction called Ataxia that results in a loss of coordination in the head, limbs, or rear end. There are three kinds of ataxia seen commonly in dogs: cerebellar, sensory and vestibular. Cerebellar ataxia occurs when the cerebellum is damaged.

What are the signs of a stroke in a dog?

Signs of a stroke are variable depending on the region or regions of the brain affected, and the degree and duration of blood and oxygen deprivation. There may be sudden collapse, a head tilt, blindness, circling, stumbling, rapidly moving pupils, or simply disorientation.

Dog's sudden loss of balance- Ataxia or Stroke

What does a mini stroke look like in a dog?

In the case of a stroke, your pet's brain sends incorrect signals to their body. For example, your pet may not be able to respond to your spoken directions. Instead, he may move in a directionless fashion and seem to be walking in circles. He may appear as though he is drunk and be unable to walk in a straight line.

How do you tell if a dog had a stroke or vestibular disease?

With the latter, especially, a dog may leap after a tennis ball, yelp with pain and immediately have difficulty walking. This can occur in dogs of all ages. Signs of a stroke can be subtle but may also include head tilt, circling, weakness, paralysis of one or more limbs, loss of urine or bowel control and collapse.

Why is my dog suddenly ataxic?

Ataxia is caused by an injury, infection, inflammation, or toxin that affects the dog's nervous system. In some cases, ataxia happens because of a neurological disease or infection.

Why is my dog walking and acting weird?

An abnormal gait can be due to a wide array of underlying problems or conditions. These can be as simple as a recent trauma or a thorn in the pad, to issues stemming from the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system and even cancers.

What causes wobbly dog syndrome?

The etiology of wobbler syndrome is not fully understood and it appears to have many contributing factors. Several factors thought to be influential in the development of wobblers in dogs include genetic predisposition and nutritional problems, such as a high protein diet.

How do I know if my dog is poisoned?

"Most common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and seizures," Wismer says. "In severe cases, ingestion of poisonous plants can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, and cardiovascular problems.

What does ataxia look like in dogs?

Dogs that have ataxia may fall, have difficulty walking, walk in circles, or tilt their heads. You may notice that your dog's eyes flutter side to side or up and down. Vestibular ataxia can make your dog feel dizzy and nauseated and may cause vomiting.

How do you treat a dog that is disoriented unbalanced and confused?

If the dog is seriously disoriented or ataxic (stumbling, unable to stand or walk), it may be given sedatives to help it relax. Drugs that help combat nausea or motion sickness may be beneficial. Antibiotics may be used in cases suspected of having middle or inner ear infections.

What disease affects a dog's balance?

Canine idiopathic vestibular disease often referred to as 'old dog vestibular syndrome', is a sudden and non-progressive disturbance of balance. This disorder stems from issues affecting the dog's vestibular system within the brain, located in the inner ear, and middle ear.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with wobblers syndrome?

Again, it depends on how severe are the spinal lesions, how much neurological impairment is present and the type of treatment. Typically, based on our studies, the mean survival time of dogs with wobblers is approximately 4 years. This survival is the same whether the dogs is treated medically or surgically.

What are the first signs of Cushing's disease in dogs?

What are the three stages of dog dementia?

Is ataxia in dogs temporary?

In some cases, ataxia will improve over time. In other cases, such as cerebellar hypoplasia, the dog may be permanently ataxic but stable.

What toxins cause ataxia in dogs?

Clinical signs of xylitol poisoning are dose dependent. Vomiting is a frequent early sign. Hypoglycemia can result in CNS depression, ataxia, recumbency, tremors and seizures.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with cerebellar ataxia?

Time from onset of clinical signs to euthanasia varied from 6 months to 6.5 years, with the majority of affected dogs surviving from 2 to 4 years. Initial neurologic findings included stumbling, truncal sway, and ataxia exacerbated by lifting the head up and negotiating stairs.

What breeds of dogs get vestibular disease?

Although dogs of any age or breed can experience vestibular disease, it is most commonly diagnosed in older dogs, and German shepherds and Doberman pinschers appear to face an increased risk of developing the condition.

At what age do dogs get vestibular disease?

Common symptoms include a head tilt, vertigo, nausea, and difficulty walking (or even standing). Another name for this condition is “old dog” vestibular disease because older dogs are more likely to experience this condition, with the average age of a dog diagnosed with vestibular disease being 12-13 years old.

Do I need to take my dog to the vet for vestibular disease?

Most dogs recover in 2-3 weeks, though some signs, such as a head tilt, can persist after the disease has resolved. If you suspect your dog may have a vestibular disease, contact your veterinarian right away for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

What can mimic a stroke in dogs?

A common condition in older dogs that is often confused with a stroke is called vestibular disease. Also referred to as 'old dog vestibular syndrome' or 'canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome', this disease can mimic the signs of a stroke.

How do you treat a mild stroke in a dog?

Treatment of Strokes in Dogs

Once the cause is determined, treatment will aim to resolve it, Dr. Levitzke says. If a clot caused the stroke, blood thinners might be prescribed. High blood pressure medications can be used for a stroke caused by hypertension.

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