Vestibular Disease

TL;DR. Vestibular disease causes a sudden loss of balance, head tilt, and rapid eye movements in dogs and cats, but many pets recover completely once the underlying cause is addressed.

A head tilt is one of the most common and recognizable signs of vestibular disease in dogs.

De quoi s’agit-il ?

Vestibular disease is a sudden, non-progressive disturbance in balance. It is one of the most common neurological conditions seen in veterinary medicine, affecting both dogs and cats. To understand this condition, it helps to think of the vestibular system as your pet's internal gyroscope. This complex network of fluid-filled canals, specialized receptor cells, and nerve pathways is responsible for keeping your pet upright, coordinating their eye movements with head movements, and telling their

"CT evaluation of the peripheral vestibular system is particularly useful if radiographs have not determined an underlying cause, if nasopharyngeal polyps and neoplasia are considerations and they cannot be visualized on physical examination, and if the extent of the lesion needs accurate demarcating and the animal is a potential surgical candidate."

Causes et facteurs de risque

Vestibular disease is a clinical syndrome, meaning it is a collection of symptoms rather than a single disease. Many different underlying conditions can trigger vestibular dysfunction. These causes are generally categorized by whether they affect the peripheral or central system. ### Peripheral Causes * Otitis media and interna: Deep middle or inner ear infections are among the most common causes of peripheral vestibular disease. Bacteria can migrate from the outer ear canal through a ruptur

Signes

The signs of vestibular disease usually appear very suddenly, often over the course of just a few hours. The severity of these signs can vary from a mild wobble to a complete inability to stand. ### Cardinal Signs * Ataxia: An uncoordinated, "drunken" gait. Pets may sway, stumble, or cross their legs while walking. * Head tilt: The pet's head is tilted to one side, with one ear lower than the other. This tilt is usually toward the side of the lesion. ### Common Signs * Nystagmus: Rap

Quand consulter

Call your vet immediately if your pet suddenly loses their balance, develops a head tilt, or exhibits rapid, uncontrolled eye movements. While these signs are often caused by benign peripheral conditions, they can also indicate serious central nervous system emergencies like a stroke or brain infection. Seek immediate emergency care if you observe any of the following red flags: * **Complete i

Diagnostic

Diagnosing vestibular disease begins with a thorough physical and neurological examination. Your vet will carefully observe your pet's posture, gait, and cranial nerve reflexes to determine whether the problem is peripheral or central. This distinction is critical, as central vestibular disease carries a more guarded prognosis and requires different management. During the examination, your vet wil

Traitement

Treatment for vestibular disease is directed at the underlying cause, alongside supportive care to manage your pet's symptoms and keep them comfortable. ### Targeted Therapies * Infections: If an inner or middle ear infection is diagnosed, your vet will prescribe targeted, long-term antibiotics or antifungal medications. In some cases, surgical drainage of the middle ear (a total ear canal abl

Prévention et quotidien

Because the most common form of this syndrome-idiopathic vestibular disease-has an unknown cause, it cannot be prevented. However, you can minimize the risk of other forms of the disease by: * Promptly treating outer ear infections: Never ignore ear scratching, head shaking, or discharge. Treating outer ear infections early prevents them from m

Sources

Veterinary internal medicine references for this condition.

My highlights & notes

New note