Small Dog Vestibular Disease

Canine idiopathic vestibular disease sometimes called old dog disease or old rolling dog syndrome can be very scary for pet parents.

Small dog vestibular disease.

It is more common in older dogs. Its most common cause is inflammation of the nerves that connect the ear to the brain most often caused by chronic or recurrent ear infections. Let s start with what vestibular disease actually is and the known causes of this condition. Dogs with central vestibular disease will have horizontal rotary and vertical nystagmus eye movement.

Diagnosis is based on medical history clinical. Peripheral vestibular disease generally affects senior and geriatric dogs over 8 years of age. Vestibular disease refers to a sudden non progressive disturbance of balance. They tend to roll have poor foot placement with a lot of staggering or stumbling.

They also have weakened jaw and possible head tremor. The name of the disease reflects the involvement of the vestibular system the group of structures and nerves that are responsible for balance found next to the middle ear and relaying information about which way is up to the brain. Finally they may suffer from depression. To the untrained eye the symptoms may mimic serious life threatening conditions such as stroke or a brain tumor.

What causes vestibular disease in dogs. Peripheral vestibular disease in dogs has also been linked to medications that can harm inner ear vestibular receptors. When no specific cause is found the condition is called idiopathic vestibular syndrome. Causes of vestibular disease include middle or inner ear infections drugs that are toxic to the ear trauma or injury tumors and hypothyroidism.