Vestibular Disease in Dogs
I want to share something about what happened to Betty and vestibular attacks, because I really hope it might help another dog.
There are two main types of vestibular disease:
PERIPHERAL VESTIBULAR DISEASE
This is the most common type.
Causes can include middle or inner ear infections, polyps, trauma to the ear, and idiopathic vestibular syndrome — often called “old dog vestibular disease” — where it appears suddenly and no underlying cause is found.
This is what we initially thought Betty had.
She presented with a head tilt and horizontal nystagmus (the flickering movement of the eyes), which can be typical of peripheral vestibular disease.
Symptoms can include:
Head tilt
Stumbling, leaning or rolling
Horizontal or rotary nystagmus
Loss of balance
With peripheral vestibular disease, limb postural reactions are generally preserved.
Many dogs with idiopathic vestibular disease start to improve within the first few days and can recover substantially over the following weeks.
CENTRAL VESTIBULAR DISEASE
This is less common and involves the central nervous system — particularly the brainstem or cerebellum.
Causes can include brain tumours, strokes, inflammatory or infectious disease affecting the brain, and certain toxicities.
Symptoms can include:
Head tilt and loss of balance
Stumbling or falling
Abnormal eye movements, including vertical nystagmus
Changes in alertness or behaviour
Abnormal limb coordination or postural reactions
Betty’s neurologist told us about research showing that distinguishing peripheral from central vestibular disease isn’t always straightforward. In one study, some dogs initially thought to have peripheral vestibular disease were later found on MRI to have central lesions. The researchers concluded that imaging should be considered when dogs showing peripheral vestibular signs don’t rapidly respond to treatment. (PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31515806/)
And this is why I want people to trust their gut!
If your dog has a vestibular attack and is diagnosed with peripheral vestibular disease, watch them like a hawk!
If something doesn’t feel right…
If they aren’t improving as expected…
If new symptoms appear…
If your gut is telling you that something isn’t right…
Get a referral to a neurologist asap DO NOT hesitate because sometimes things aren’t always as straightforward as they first appear.
I genuinely believe that if I hadn’t listened to my gut Betty would not be here now.
What is the worst that could happen? The neurologist could say, “Nope, it’s peripheral vestibular disease. She’ll be fine in a week or two.” And we’d have gone home relieved.
Instead, Betty had an MRI and the MRI found something we weren’t expecting. She has meningitis and mass around her throat/ear region that was affecting the brain and causing her vestibular signs.
Another valuable lesson learned thanks to Betty’s experiences.
Written by Karla Pearson for No Bull, Just Natural Health for Dogs.
