Ask the Vet | Canine Geriatric Vestibular Disease Symptoms

Vestibular disease in dogs is rare, but may be a devastating condition. The vestibular system is in charge of coordinating the dog’s movement and allows him to keep his balance and not get dizzy even after circling the room several times. The vestibular system is rooted in the dog’s inner ear and communicates with the dog’s brain giving the dog orientation skills. If the dog has vestibular disease, the symptoms will include staggering, lack of balance, uncoordinated eye and head movement. The symptoms may be mistaken for a stroke or a seizure, but the vet can give a proper diagnostics.

Symptoms of Geriatric Vestibular Disease

When the dog has vestibular disease the communication between the inner ear nerves and the brain is defective. The typical symptoms of geriatric vestibular disease will include:

• Head tilting, similar to the symptoms of ear mite infection
• Irregular eye movement (up-down, from side to side)
• Strabismus
• Dizziness; the dog will look disoriented
• Sudden collapse
• Frequent vomiting
• Staggering gait
• Lack of appetite 
• Excessive salivation
• Rolling from side to side
• Difficulty standing up

Some of these symptoms can point to a stroke or a seizure, but a seizure’s duration is up to 5 minutes, while the dog with vestibular will display some of these symptoms all day long.

Causes of Canine Vestibular Disease

The symptoms of vestibular disease can be frightening and you should get to the vet as soon as possible. Even if the geriatric vestibular disease is not as severe as a stroke or a seizure, the disease should be given proper attention.

Typically, vestibular disease is caused by a problem in the dog’s inner ear (peripheral vestibular disease). However, the problem may also originate in the brain (central vestibular disease).

Some of the most common causes of geriatric vestibular disease include:

• Ear Infections; if the infection is severe, it advances from the external ear to the middle ear and then to the inner ear, where the vestibular system nerves are located
• Hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone levels
• Toxic medications used in the dog’s ear (especially drops containing alcohol)
• Tumors located in the inner ear
• Encephalitis 

However, the geriatric vestibular disease may also be idiopathic, so the cause is unknown.

Treatment for Geriatric Vestibular Disease

When vestibular disease that occurs in senior dogs and the cause is unknown will often resolve itself in a few days up to 1 week without any treatment. But we don’t recommend not treating it. 

The cause of vestibular disease must be determined to establish the right treatment. If the disease is caused by infections, the vet will prescribe medications to eliminate these infections. Thyroid drugs can also stimulate the production of thyroid hormones.

The administration of toxic ear drops must be discontinued.

The vet may also prescribe medication to control the dizziness and the nausea or other symptoms that may be upsetting the dog.

Ensure that the dog is in a safe place, without sharp objects or stairs near, to prevent any accidents from happening.  By Dr Ruan Du Toit Bester

Hope this info helps

Till next week

Dr Ruan Bester

Ask the Vet: Royal Veterinary Centre
Tel: +853 28501099, +853 28523678
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