Vestibular disease treatment options for your dog

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Vestibular disease is a common condition in dogs in which their vestibular system — the sensory system that helps maintain spatial awareness and sense of balance — is disturbed, resulting in loss of balance, nausea, a head tilt, and other possible clinical signs. There are a variety of ways dog owners can work with a veterinarian to support their pet with vestibular dysfunction. If your dog has been diagnosed with vestibular syndrome, read on to learn:

• Signs and symptoms of vestibular disease in dogs
• Causes of vestibular disease in dogs
• Effective treatment and support for vestibular disease in dogs

Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause, but examples include ear medications, anti-nausea medications, thyroid medications, and surgery. Many cases of vestibular disease in dogs are idiopathic (meaning they have no identifiable cause) and resolve on their own within a couple of weeks. Other possible causes include ear infections, infectious disease, and nose or ear polyps.

Vestibular disease describes a group of neurological disorders that cause dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus in dogs. The vestibular apparatus informs the eyes and body of where they are in orientation with the earth. When it doesn’t function properly, the affected dog becomes disoriented. The vestibular system helps a dog’s sense of balance and their ability to follow moving objects with their eyes and walk on uneven surfaces. The system includes the middle ear, nerves, and brain.

Vestibular dysfunction can occur when any part of the vestibular system is affected. The location of the problem affects which clinical signs are seen, and treatment options and prognosis vary depending on the origin of the vestibular symptoms. Vestibular syndrome can occur in any dog; however, the health conditions that cause vestibular disease are more common in senior dogs.

Vestibular disease symptoms in dogs

Signs of vestibular disease in dogs usually come on suddenly and can include:

• Falling over
• Lack of coordination (ataxia) or inability to stand or walk normally
• Circling
• Vomiting
• Abnormal, twitchy, back and forth, or rotational rapid eye movements (nystagmus)
• Head tilt or abnormal head position
• Excessive drooling
• Wide stance or crouched posture
• Muscle tremors

Signs and symptoms of vestibular dysfunction in dogs can be mild to severe depending on the individual, the underlying cause, and whether the peripheral or central vestibular system is being affected. An accurate diagnosis is necessary to determine the origin of the disease.

Causes of vestibular syndrome in dogs

Vestibular disease is not a specific diagnosis in and of itself. Instead, it identifies which part of the nervous system isn’t functioning properly. The underlying problem can be a variety of things.

Most cases of vestibular syndrome in dogs are idiopathic, meaning there’s no identifiable cause. However, other potential causes of vestibular syndrome in dogs include:

• Inner or middle ear infection
• Nasal cavity or ear canal tumor (nasal or ear polyps)
• Infectious diseases, such as canine distemper
• Hypothyroidism
• Brain tumor
• Ear or head trauma
• Inflammation of the brain and its lining (meningoencephalitis)
• Toxins, including prescription medications and recreational drugs

The prognosis varies depending on the underlying cause of the vestibular symptoms. For example, idiopathic vestibular disease or vestibular symptoms caused by a middle ear infection carry a good prognosis, while vestibular disease symptoms caused by a brain tumor have a poor one.

Identifying the type of vestibular disorder is the first step in determining what type of treatment plan is expected to work. Presenting symptoms or physical exam findings may suggest what the underlying cause is. However, it’s not always necessary to determine the exact cause before deciding what to do for an affected dog. “Many cases of vestibular syndrome that come on suddenly in otherwise healthy older dogs are idiopathic, and the affected dog will improve on their own within a couple of weeks,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform.

If there’s no evidence to suggest a specific underlying cause, a vet may start by recommending symptomatic and supportive care as well as time to see if the dog improves on their own before performing more aggressive diagnostic tests. Symptomatic and supportive care may include:

• Anti-nausea medication
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Assistance with eating, drinking, walking, and going to the bathroom

Dogs with idiopathic vestibular syndrome often show improvement within a few days, and many recover within a couple of weeks. If an underlying condition is identified, specific treatment will vary, targeting the problem. It may include:

• Antibiotics or antifungals
• Treatment of underlying thyroid disease
• Surgery

If your dog has been diagnosed with vestibular disease, there are some steps you can take to help them at home while they recover. Supportive treatment at home can include:

• Keeping the dog in a safe, well-lit environment with plenty of soft places to lie down
• Assisting with walking, eating, drinking, and standing, as needed
• Administering medications as directed by a veterinarian
• Keeping the dog clean and as calm as possible

Most dogs begin to recover from vestibular dysfunction within a few days. Talk to a veterinarian if your dog seems to be getting worse or hasn’t improved after a few days. Hospitalization for vestibular disease is rarely needed, but some dogs may benefit from receiving IV fluids or a feeding tube if they have severe symptoms. Online virtual care appointments are a great tool when you need direction or advice on how to care for your dog showing vestibular symptoms without needing to relocate your pet.

How long does it take a dog to recover from vestibular disease?

Most dogs with idiopathic vestibular syndrome begin to recover within a couple of days and fully recover within a couple of weeks. However, dogs who have vestibular signs due to an underlying health issue may not improve until the issue is treated. The majority of dogs who recover from vestibular syndrome live normal lives.

How can I help my dog with vestibular disease?

Supportive care through anti-nausea medications, anti-anxiety medications, assistance with feeding and walking, and keeping the affected dog clean and in a safe, well-lit room with soft areas to lay down can be helpful. Talk to a vet to determine the best way to support your dog.

What is the best treatment for vestibular disease in dogs?

Vestibular disorders can be caused by a wide variety of underlying health conditions or be idiopathic (have no identifiable cause). Effective treatment methods for vestibular syndrome in dogs vary depending on what part of the vestibular system is affected and if the symptoms are being caused by an underlying issue. Treatment may include ear or oral medication, surgery, or supportive nursing care.