If your older dog starts falling down a lot, tilting his head to the side, or struggling to stand up, he might be living with vestibular disease. The condition has a frightening name, but vestibular disease in dogs usually isn't life-threatening.

Here's what the team at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates wants pet parents to know about these old dog balance issues.

Understanding Vestibular Disease in Dogs

The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that help dogs stay upright and coordinated. When something messes the system up, it can cause your elderly dog to lose her sense of balance and experience vertigo.

Vestibular disease can be either:

  • Peripheral: caused by an issue in the inner ear
  • Central: caused by a brain problem like a tumor or infection

In many older dogs, though, the vestibular disease is idiopathic. This means there's no easily identifiable cause of the issue.

Canine Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo in dogs can look a lot like vertigo in humans. Signs include:

  • Sudden loss of balance: Your furry friend has a hard time standing or walking without falling over.
  • Head tilt: Your dog's head starts frequently flopping or leaning to one side.
  • Rapid eye movement (nystagmus): Your pup's eyes dart around and she seems unable to control it.
  • Nausea and vomiting: Due to a constant sense of dizziness and disorientation, your pet vomits or struggles to eat.
  • Circling or stumbling: Your dog may walk in circles or appear very uncoordinated.
  • Disorientation and confusion: Your pet seems dazed or distressed.

While these symptoms can be scary to witness, they can get better with time and treatment.

Dog Vestibular Recovery and Treatment

The good news is that a dog's vestibular recovery usually trends upward within a few days to a few weeks. The best thing you can do for treatment is provide supportive care and schedule a vet appointment to help address any underlying issues.

For supportive care, clear your home of any obstacles that could cause your pet to fall. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water and offer enticing foods, including wet food, to encourage eating.

Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-nausea medications to help your elderly pup keep his food down.

You might need to physically support your dog in going to the bathroom, standing, walking, and eating. Thankfully, this period doesn't usually last long!

If your dog is experiencing signs of vestibular disease, our caring team at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates can help. We'll work to get your pet the treatment and monitoring they need to recover. Call us at (248) 646-5655 to schedule a senior pet care appointment today.

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