Loss of balance in dogs often occurs due to inner ear infections . If your dog has an ear infection, you may also notice additional symptoms such as odor in or around the affected ear, head shaking and scratching, walking in circles, and eye flicking, as well as redness, swelling, or discharge.
Why is my dogs balance off?
Infection, inflammation, or brain tumors (tumors of the brain or brainstem) are the most common reasons for a dog to develop central vestibular syndrome signs . Infections may be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa. Many of these same causes can also affect the cerebellum, causing cerebellar ataxia.
Why is my dog acting dizzy and disoriented?
Causes of vestibular disease include middle or inner ear infections, drugs that are toxic to the ear, trauma or injury, tumors, and hypothyroidism . When no specific cause is found, the condition is called idiopathic vestibular syndrome.
Can an ear infection in dogs cause vertigo?
Canine vertigo, or vestibular disease, can cause loss of coordination, nausea, and a characteristic head tilt in affected animals. Triggers for this disorder can range from ear infections to stroke .
Why is my dog staggering and falling?
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 . Here, our Matthews Emergency and Specialty Vets explain why you should get to a veterinary hospital right away.
What are the symptoms of an inner ear infection in a dog?
- Pain when your dog opens his mouth.
- Reluctance to chew.
- Head-shaking.
- Pawing and scratching of the affected ear.
- Redness of the ears.
- Ear discharge.
- Bulging eardrum (tympanic membrane) when there is a buildup of pus in the middle and inner ear.
- Vomiting.
Why is my dog walking like he’s drunk?
It’s scary to see your dog suddenly look drunk, not be able to walk, develop rapid, abnormal eye movement (called a nystagmus) and fall to his or her side. When this happens, one common benign cause may be due to “ old dog vestibular disease .”
Why is my dog having trouble standing and walking?
However, a disturbance of balance can happen to any dog, and causes vary from more common issues like ear infections, inner ear tumors, and hypothyroidism to much more serious conditions like brainstem tumors, strokes, and brain inflammation . Therefore, a professional diagnosis is critical if your dog can’t stand up.
Why is my dog walking sideways and falling over?
Inner Ear Infection
Loss of balance in dogs often occurs due to inner ear infections. If your dog has an ear infection, you may also notice additional symptoms such as odor in or around the affected ear, head shaking and scratching, walking in circles, and eye flicking, as well as redness, swelling, or discharge.
Why is my dog wobbly and lethargic?
When to See a Vet
Things that can make your dog lethargic and weak can range from infection and disease to pain and medication . And because weakness and lethargy can indicate anything from a chronic condition to a life-threatening illness, you should always talk to your vet when you notice either symptom.
Why is my dogs head bobbing?
Head shaking or head bobbing in dogs is known as idiopathic head tremors . Idiopathic means the cause is unknown and the condition occurs spontaneously, similar to seizures. However, seizures do have known causes.
What triggers vestibular balance disorders?
Vestibular balance disorders can affect your balance and make you feel disoriented. Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury . These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older.
What does vertigo look like in dogs?
The dog is suddenly afflicted with a balance problem, usually staggering, but occasionally unable to stand, and more rarely actually rolling over and over. There is a tilting of the head to one side and nystagmus, a rhythmic flicking movement of the eyes . Nausea and vomiting may also in present.
What is dog ataxia?
The word ataxia means incoordination within the nervous system . The abnormal movement can occur in the legs, the head, the torso, or all three.
Can an ear infection cause vestibular disease in dogs?
Causes of vestibular disease include an ear infection , perforated eardrum, hypothyroidism, trauma, tumors or possibly as a side effect of antibiotics. When no specific cause is found, the condition is called idiopathic vestibular disease.
What happens if a dogs ear infection goes untreated?
Lapses in treatment can lead to recurrence in infection, so be sure to finish the full course of treatment. As mentioned earlier, untreated outer ear infections can lead to more serious middle and inner ear infections .
Can an ear infection cause neurological problems in dogs?
In some cases of middle and inner ear infection, facial nerve paralysis may occur , causing a drooping of the face and ear on the same side as a head tilt.
What does dog ear infection discharge look like?
A waxy, yellow, or reddish-brown ear discharge can also be a sign your dog has an ear infection, which can be a result of allergies, mites, polyps, overproduction of ear wax, excessive bathing or swimming (which can leave too much moisture in the ears), or other problems.
Should you put a dog down with vestibular disease?
If your dog is struggling with severe symptoms of vestibular disease and isn’t likely to recover, you may need to consider putting them to sleep to prevent them from suffering.
Should I put my dog down if he can’t walk?
Lack of muscle can cause arthritis pain to become extreme. They can no longer tolerate the pain and their mobility and function become very poor. This pet wants relief and doesn’t want to live like this. There is no right time to euthanize this pet.
