Canine Vestibular Disease
The vestibular system controls balance (preventing your dog from falling), with parts in the brain and in the ear. Vestibular disease disturbs this system suddenly.
There are 2 forms of this disease:
The peripheral from is more common than the central form.
Older dogs are more susceptible to vestibular disease. It is usually not life threatening, and can be resolved over a few days.
CAUSES:
Peripheral:
Central:
SIGNS:
DIAGNOSIS:
Your veterinarian will do a physical exam of your pet and some of the following:
TREATMENT:
Most veterinarians recommend the following treatments for dogs with vestibular disease:
PREVENTION:
If the condition is idiopathic (no known cause), there is no known preventative measure.
For other causes that are preventable, avoid traumatic incidents by keeping your dog on a leash or in an enclosed area. Keep your dog vaccinated and avoid exposure to poisons.
PROGNOSIS:
If there is no major underlying cause (idiopathic), the prognosis is very good. A lot of pets show improvement within a few days. Some will have a slight head tilt and may wobble for the rest of their life.
However, if there is something directly causing the vestibular disturbance, prognosis depends on the cause. Possible causes include:
Peripheral Causes:
Central Causes:
As these causes are from brain-related issues and there may be damage to the brain, the prognosis is generally poor.
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