All the reasons why a dog starts to lose coordination

Every person at least once in his life asked himself the question: “Why do people and animals walk upright and don’t fall?” The vestibular apparatus, which is a whole complex of structures united into a single system, is responsible for maintaining posture and orientation of the body in space relative to the horizontal.

A sudden imbalance causes vestibular syndrome, a neurological condition often diagnosed in pets.

Causes of the disease

Conventionally, vestibular syndrome is usually divided into peripheral and central, depending on which part is affected.

Also, this neurological phenomenon can be:

• metabolic;
• neoplastic;
• inflammatory;
• traumatic;
• toxic;
• idiopathic.

Accordingly, treatment will depend on the causes of vestibular syndrome.

The peripheral form is diagnosed quite rarely and occurs due to damage to the nervous system affecting the inner ear. The more common form is the central one, which is much more difficult. This is explained by the fact that not only the vestibular apparatus is affected, but also other systems of the body, so many pathologies are fraught with death.

The causes of vestibular syndrome include:

• inflammation in the inner and middle ear;
• abuse of ear cleaners;
• consequences of brain injuries;
• polyps, tumors;
• hormonal imbalances;
• meningoencephalitis;
• chaotic use of certain medications, in particular antibiotics.

Sometimes vestibular syndrome can be congenital or age-related - it is in such cases that we can talk about the idiopathic nature of the pathology, that is, when it occurs for no apparent reason.

What is facial paralysis

The facial nerve innervates the muzzle, cheeks, lips, and ears in dogs. Due to tissue damage, sensitivity is partially or completely lost. Facial paralysis occurs in dogs of different ages and breeds.

The disease worsens the quality of life of animals and can result in serious complications and consequences if treatment is not carried out in time.

Main symptoms

The clinical picture of vestibular syndrome, often mistaken for a stroke, is quite extensive. The main sign to suspect pathology is loss of coordination in space. The dog begins to experience difficulty moving, walking with its head tilted, stumbling out of the blue, falling and spinning on the floor.

Another characteristic symptom is the occurrence of vertical nystagmus (eye twitching). In addition, the animal experiences salivation, uncontrollable vomiting, and dizziness.

In severe cases of the disease, the dog stops eating and begins to walk on its own. In such cases, the question of euthanasia is raised as the most humane option.

Symptoms and external signs

From the moment the neurological disease develops until the first signs appear, it can take from several weeks to several months.

External manifestations of facial paralysis in dogs:

• decreased sensitivity in the affected area;
• change in behavior, lethargy, depression;
• difficulty eating, refusal to eat;
• dryness, pallor of mucous membranes;
• change in the position of the lower and upper lips;
• salivation;
• drooping ears, lack of mobility;
• respiratory dysfunction.

Sick dogs show signs of rhinostenosis. Food accumulates behind the cheeks, and inflammatory processes develop, affecting the gums and oral mucosa. Possible increase in temperature.

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor, in addition to studying the medical history of the disease, needs to conduct the necessary diagnostic tests. These include:

• general and biochemical blood test;
• Analysis of urine;
• X-ray (to examine the middle and inner ear and assess their condition);
• MRI, CT (to determine possible structural changes in the brain);
• examination of scrapings from an animal's ear;
• a series of tests that determine the reaction of the nervous system to stimuli;
• collection of cerebrospinal fluid (to detect the virus in the body);
• Ultrasound of internal organs.

The veterinarian must rule out pathologies such as inflammation of the inner and middle ear, nasopharyngeal polyps, as well as the use of certain medications (aminoglycosides) that have serious side effects.

What to do if your dog is unsteady

If you notice that your dog is unsteady, you will want to have him examined by a veterinarian right away. In addition to the physical examination, your veterinarian will ask you about the symptoms you have observed and when you first noticed them, as well as whether your dog has taken any medications. Testing will likely be required in addition to the exam. This may include an MRI of your dog's ears, a CT scan of the brain, and radiographs. Other options include cerebrospinal fluid testing, which will help confirm the presence of an infectious or inflammatory disease, and BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response), which will assist your veterinarian in assessing your dog's auditory canals and pathways.

Once your veterinarian determines that your dog is suffering from vestibular disease, he will attempt to confirm whether it is a central or peripheral vestibular disease, as well as what the underlying cause of the condition is. With central vestibular disease, he may notice that your dog is aware of only one side of his body, is paralyzed on one side, has an altered mental state, and has cranial nerve deficits (especially V and VII). With peripheral vestibular disease, your dog may exhibit normal strength and mental status and exhibit cranial nerve deficits (VII and Horner only).

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Once your veterinarian confirms the cause of vestibular disease in your dog, they can recommend appropriate treatment for that specific condition. In addition to this treatment, supportive care is important, regardless of the underlying condition your dog is experiencing. Your veterinarian may recommend the following supportive care:

1. Intravenous fluids if your dog is dehydrated
2. Medicines to relieve nausea and prevent or minimize vomiting
3. A medication called propentofylline that will help your dog's brain's natural ability to compensate for vestibular damage.
4. Antioxidants and essential fatty acids that will enhance your dog's body's healing ability.

Treatment method and prognosis

Treatment of vestibular syndrome is not possible in all cases. So, if we are talking about the idiopathic nature of the pathology (congenital or acquired with age), medications are prescribed to alleviate the animal’s condition.

Pathology caused by an inflammatory infectious process is treated with antibiotics (broad-spectrum). When treating otitis, it is prohibited to use ototoxic drugs belonging to the group of aminoglycosides (antibiotics, chlorhexidine).

Vestibular syndrome caused by oncology can only be eliminated by surgery and chemotherapy. For hypothyroidism and other hormonal disorders, it is advisable to use replacement therapy.

With timely treatment, the dog’s condition stabilizes within three days. After 1-2 weeks, a decrease in ataxia and head tilt can be observed; after 3-4 weeks, recovery occurs. At this stage, physical therapy is prescribed. However, it would be incorrect to talk about a final cure.

As for prognosis, a positive one is possible only if the syndrome was diagnosed in a small puppy - there is hope that its vestibular apparatus will adapt to the environment, and the baby will be able to live a full life. In other cases, this is especially true for cancer patients, residual effects cause the animal to suffer for the rest of its life.

Information about loss of coordination in dogs

In fact, there is no single correct answer to the question of what ataxia is. The fact is that this cannot be called a single disease, since ataxia simply indicates the appearance of some symptoms, here is a list of them:

• loss of coordination, which occurs suddenly in all situations;
• situations involving loss of balance;
• sudden shaking;
• There are even situations when an animal falls for no reason.

Let's also mention the classification of ataxia, here are the main types:

1. vestibular;
2. sensitive;
3. cerebellar

It is worth noting that each type has its own characteristic features, as well as reasons for its appearance. The first type of ataxia indicates disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus, which is necessary for the animal to successfully maintain balance; without it, it will be difficult for the dog to be in space. This will be expressed by the fact that she will not even be able to hold her head normally in one position, and there will also be a slight list when walking. The instability will end with the dog constantly falling or even spinning in place. Experts note another characteristic symptom - uncoordinated eye movements, as well as a constant feeling of drowsiness, less often - numbness.

Sensitive ataxia

As for sensitive ataxia, it develops in cases of damage to the Burdach or Gaulle bundles, and it can also appear due to disorders in the spinal cord. The main sign of this type of ataxia is considered to be various disturbances in the process of walking; in most situations, owners notice that the dog begins to look at its feet all the time while moving. It is worth mentioning that with serious lesions, the dog may even lose the ability to be in the “standing” and “sitting” positions. For this reason, at the first manifestations, you must consult a doctor, do not hesitate!

Note! The previously discussed types of ataxia cannot affect various behavioral aspects of the pet. Thus, the dog’s behavior partially does not change; of course, the previously described disorders are observed, but this is not so serious (the problem can be solved by contacting a specialist, and there are no mental abnormalities). For this reason, veterinarians can easily diagnose the problem by distinguishing it from various infections.

Since these pathologies are relatively minor, it is necessary to consider cerebellar ataxia, because it is the most difficult to treat, even with timely consultation with a specialist. If this area is damaged, the dog’s coordination of movements, as well as its balance, are significantly impaired. Even with a slight delay, loss of control over the pet’s motor function will follow. In more rare situations, more dangerous symptoms are observed, namely, a violation of the ability to spatial orientation; it is worth mentioning that sometimes dogs even cease to recognize their owners, as well as the place where they have always lived.

Such damage to the cerebellum, located in the brain, is often caused by a tumor, and occasionally an infection can be the cause. Despite this, in most situations such manifestations occur due to defects present from birth. The essence of the mentioned defects is that the death of normal neurons is caused. In such situations, the specialist makes a diagnosis called “hereditary cerebellar ataxia.”

Let us mention that such diseases are transmitted by a recessive gene, that is, such disorders must be present in both individuals participating in the birth of the animal. For this reason, cerebellar ataxia is considered a fairly rare disease, because conscientious breeders do everything possible to combat inherited diseases (dogs with such probabilities are simply not allowed to breed).

Loss of coordination due to poisoning

Why dogs can still lose coordination - the reasons for other types of problems. The reasons for the development of loss of coordination can be different. As mentioned earlier, these types of disease develop against the background of damage to something. Most often, the main reason for their appearance is oncology; such a neoplasm can damage any important organs, which will be accompanied by a large number of unpleasant symptoms, the main ones of which have already been discussed in this material.

It is worth mentioning that the cause of poor coordination in dogs can also be the penetration of toxins into the body. It cannot be argued that this only means poison, since any substances that are released into the bloodstream by helminths (worms) can act as toxins. If a dog has large worms, the problem can be huge, because everything can turn into encephalopathy, so disorders associated with motor function are not the worst manifestation of helminths.

Despite this, the most common cause is poisoning. Almost all dogs pick up some things on the street, and in some situations you can come across poisoned bait, despite the fact that these days they are quite rare. In such situations, in the absence of medical assistance in the first few hours, everything will end up with much more serious manifestations, because, most likely, the pet will die.

The problem may also be due to autoimmune diseases; systemic lupus is most often to blame. This situation has a characteristic feature because if it is present, the pet’s body will begin to destroy itself. Experts note that the nervous system may be the first system to be affected, which is why poor coordination of movements often develops.

Important! Don’t forget about injuries, since a dog that has been hit by a car can have a lot of serious injuries that can be observed throughout the body. In this case, ataxia is not uncommon. As you might guess, in this case it is very important to get the dog to a medical facility as quickly as possible. If the veterinarian does not look at it, then any hematoma in the meninges can lead to death!

What to do at home

Many owners have a question: “How to help a dog at home?” The answer is clear: strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and do not self-medicate, as it can lead to irreversible consequences. The maximum that can be done is to create a comfortable environment for the dog, provide it with good care and quality feeding.

As the disease progresses and the dog becomes completely helpless, the owner must be prepared for the fact that he will have to care for the pet, remove feces in a timely manner, and perform anti-bedsore massage.

Preventing Wobble

To prevent your dog from becoming unsteady as a result of vestibular disease and one of the possible underlying conditions, you must do everything possible to improve your dog's overall health. This includes feeding him a diet that will meet all of his nutritional needs, as well as keeping him well hydrated. It is also important that your dog has the opportunity to get plenty of exercise and that he maintains a healthy weight.

To minimize the possibility of injury to your dog, you should supervise your dog and keep him on a leash when outdoors to help him avoid situations where he could get hurt. Annual checkups with a veterinarian are also important so that any developing diseases can be caught early before they become more difficult to treat.

ZOOMIR and more about it

Vestibular syndrome and stroke in dogs
Acute non-progressive disorder of the peripheral vestibular system in dogs.

Synonyms: vestibular disease in dogs, vestibular syndrome in dogs, geriatric vestibular disease in dogs. Incorrect definition: stroke in dogs.

The pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated. An abnormality in the flow of endolymphatic fluid in the semicircular canal of the inner ear is suspected due to disturbances in the formation, circulation or absorption of this fluid. Possible intoxication of vestibular receptors or inflammation of the vestibular part of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve (8th pair of cranial nerves). Often incorrectly referred to as stroke in dogs (the disease does not involve the central nervous system and does not cause ischemia or pathology of the blood vessels). This is a common, sporadic, acquired disease in old dogs.. Without a breed predisposition. More common among dogs of medium-sized and large breeds. The age of dogs is usually more than 8 years. No gender predisposition was noted.

This is only a violation of peripheral vestibular function. In severe forms of the disease (especially when gait is impaired), it is not correctly attributed to damage to the central nervous system (CNS). Begins with sudden imbalance, disorientation, inability to stand and usually tilting of the head, irregular eye movements. May be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

On physical examination: Tilt - slight to noticeable head tilt; tilt in the direction on which the violation occurred; sometimes with the bilateral form there are unstable movements of the head to the sides with intensification on the side where the disturbance is more severe. Nystagmus, a twitching involuntary movement of both eyes (positional or at rest) - often appears at an early stage of the disease; either horizontal or rotatory (rotational) with a fast phase always in the direction of the head tilt; in bilateral disease, it may be moderate with suppression or absence of physiological eye movements (eg, normal vestibular nystagmus or conjugate eye movements). Mild or marked confusion and vestibular ataxia (lack of coordination) with weakness and a tendency to fall to the side of the head. Strength and proprioception remain normal; with severe illness, the patient may not be able to stand at all, making it impossible to assess his gait; in case of bilateral disease, a wide spacing of the limbs is clearly visible.

Causes of Vestibular Disease in Dogs

Remain unclear. Risk factors are not known. Diagnosis of canine vestibular disease

Differential diagnosis: otitis media and external otitis (distinguished by parallel ipsilateral, on the same side of the head, facial paresis, 7th pair of cranial nerves), deafness or Horner's syndrome. Otitis externa with tympanic membrane rupture supports otitis media and otitis interna); the use of ototoxic drugs (ascertained during the survey), drugs that affect the hearing aid; trauma can produce similar acute manifestations (determined by questioning, examination results, and the presence of other neurological deficits); neuropathy in hypothyroidism (not acute onset, associated with clinical signs of hypothyroidism and possibly a deficiency of the 7th pair of cranial nerves).

Hematology / Blood biochemistry / Urinalysis

These tests are usually normal; may be signs due to hemoconcentration due to dehydration, laboratory abnormalities cause usually unrelated parallel age-related diseases present in aging dogs (eg, kidney or liver disease).

X-ray may be required to rule out otitis media

Treatment of vestibular disease in dogs

Disclaimer: This information is for reference only and is not intended to be a comprehensive treatment for each individual case. The site administration is not responsible for failures in the practical use of the given drugs and dosages. If you use the information provided, especially without the supervision of a competent veterinarian, you act at your own risk. We remind you that self-medication and self-diagnosis only bring harm.

Treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis. If the disease is serious and requires intravenous administration, then in the early stages the animal may need to be hospitalized. Treatment is supportive, including rehydration and fluid maintenance if necessary. A dry and warm room with soft, absorbent bedding is required. In severe forms of the disease, physical therapy, including passive flexion-extension of the limbs and body movements on the injured side of the body. Activity is reduced according to the degree of disorientation and vestibular ataxia. No feeding modifications are required. There are no indications for surgical intervention for this disease.

Medications

Sedatives - for severe disorientation and ataxia; diazepam (2-10 mg/dog, orally every 8 hours).

Antiemetic drugs for motion sickness - dimenhydrinate (4-8 mg/kg orally, intramuscularly, intravenously every 8 hours).

Glucocorticoids do not alter the course of the disease and are not recommended especially in older patients with low fluid intake.

Antibiotics - if otitis is suspected (or if internal and otitis media have not been excluded); trimethoprimsulfate (15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours or 30 mg/kg orally every 12 to 24 hours); first generation cephalosporins (cephalexin 10-30 mg/kg orally every 6-12 hours); amoxicillin/clavulonate (12.5 - 25 mg/kg orally every 12 hours).

Contraindications, precautions, possible interactions, alternative drugs

No Patient monitoring

Neurological examination during outpatient treatment - repeated every 2-3 days to monitor stabilization. Imbalance of fluids and electrolytes and decompensation of renal failure (if any) can result from vomiting and refusal of food and water. Patients with concurrent age-related diseases require additional monitoring of existing pathologies, since they can cause additional and serious complications.

Expected course and prognosis of vestibular disease in dogs

Improvement in clinical manifestations within 72 hours - disappearance of vomiting and improvement of nystagmus and vestibular ataxia. Head tilt and ataxia usually improve within 7-10 days; if this does not occur, it is necessary to evaluate the animal for the presence of other causes of peripheral vestibular disorders; a slight tilt of the head may remain constant. Return to normal state occurs in 2-3 weeks. Recurrence of the disease may be milder under stress (anesthesia).

Thanks for the advice, on the same day we went to the Mitino clinic. They suggested the source of the trouble was in the spine. On the radiograph of the cervical and beginning of the thoracic spine, no visible changes are visible. Next, I make an extract from the medical history with my small comments: At the time of examination: appetite was preserved, there was no vomiting, he drinks with pleasure, vesicular breathing, no wheezing, heart: the rhythm is correct, no noise, mucous membranes are pale pink, eyes do not run. Movements, sensitivity: full range of passive movements, muscle strength and tone: tetraparesis, no rigidity, no palpable pain, sensitivity is not impaired. The right front paw rests on the dorsal surface of the foot, the left front paw is positioned correctly (the joint on this paw almost does not bend after a very complex fracture), and tries to walk with its pelvic limbs. Treatment given: Metipred in Ringer, Kvamatel 20 IV, and another 20 at night. Yesterday (April 30) during the day he vomited white mush, urination was normal, stool was liquid, light brown in color, with drops of blood. He stood up, tried to walk, sometimes he put his front paw correctly, sometimes he bent it. fits well, although it is wobbly. I think he's better. In the evening we went to an appointment: the doctor did not risk repeating Metypred and Kvamatel due to diarrhea with drops of blood, they instilled Metrogyl. Today (01.05) in the morning - Metrogyl, ranitidine and smecta tablets. Urination is normal, stool is brown (not dark) capsules, no blood is visible, he ate, there was no vomiting. He walks with support somewhat more confidently than yesterday, he often places his front paws correctly, walks with his hind paws correctly, but after 10-15 m the body twists and wobbles. I am writing in such detail in the hope of some comments and advice from experts. Thank you.

>The dog tilts his head