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Vestibular syndrome in dogs: triggers, symptoms and treatment

Vestibularsyndrom beim Hund

If you suddenly notice disturbances in your dog's sense of balance and coordination, this may be due to the so-called vestibular syndrome. What exactly is involved, what causes vestibular syndrome in dogs and how this frequently occurring neurological disease is treated is explained in the following article.

What is vestibular syndrome?

Similar to you, the organ of balance is located in your dog's inner ear. It is also called the vestibular apparatus and plays a vital role in spatial orientation and movement.


If the functionality of the vestibular apparatus is impaired, dogs can suffer from vestibular syndrome. The neurological disease can have various causes and can occur in two different forms as peripheral or central vestibular syndrome.

Peripheral vestibular syndrome in dogs

Peripheral vestibular syndrome occurs in dogs due to health problems in the inner ear that affect balance. Possible causes include ear infections that have not been treated or were treated too late.


Occasionally, peripheral vestibular syndrome in dogs can be genetic and caused by a congenital malformation of the vestibular organ. In this case, the condition becomes apparent as early as puppyhood and is called congenital vestibular syndrome.

Central vestibular syndrome in dogs

Central vestibular syndrome is the rarer form of the disease. Unlike peripheral vestibular syndrome, central vestibular syndrome in dogs is usually caused by infectious diseases, such as distemper and lesions and inflammation of the brain and central nervous system.

Geriatric vestibular syndrome in dogs

Geriatric vestibular syndrome occurs in older dogs. It is a consequence of degenerative processes. Exactly why older animals get it has not yet been clearly explained.


Possible causes of geriatric vestibular syndrome include medication-induced poisoning and circulatory disorders. Because of the unclear triggers, it is also called idiopathic vestibular syndrome.

Symptoms of vestibular syndrome in dogs

If your dog suffers from vestibular syndrome, this can trigger a range of symptoms. The individual symptoms depend on the severity of the neurological disease.


It may only cause mild symptoms such as unsteady gait if it is mild. However, on the other hand, it is also possible for dogs with vestibular syndrome to have massive neurological deficits that make it difficult for them to stand.


In addition to the typical disturbances of balance and coordination, vestibular syndrome in dogs can also be manifested by squinting, uncontrolled eye movements, orientation problems and a tilted head posture. In addition, the dizzy spells associated with the condition sometimes cause dogs to become nauseous and vomit as a result.

Dogs with vestibular syndrome are a case for the vet

If your four-legged friend shows symptoms that point to vestibular syndrome, you should consult a veterinarian. They can examine the dog and determine whether you are correct in your suspicions and whether it is a central or peripheral vestibular syndrome.


The veterinarian will subject your dog to an otoscopy (ear examination) and various neurological examinations for their diagnosis. In addition, an MRI and blood test may also be necessary to diagnose vestibular syndrome and determine its cause reliably.

How is vestibular syndrome treated in dogs?

The therapeutic measures required for the treatment of vestibular syndrome depend mainly on the results of the veterinary examinations. In quadrupeds with central vestibular syndrome, the type and duration of therapy may vary depending on the underlying disease responsible.


If your dog suffers from geriatric vestibular syndrome, the treatment is primarily aimed at counteracting the symptoms of the disease. In addition to infusions to promote blood circulation, remedies against nausea and vomiting can also be used. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it may also be helpful to administer a sedative until the treatment measures take effect.

Is vestibular syndrome in dogs curable?

Whether vestibular syndrome in dogs can be cured depends primarily on its trigger and the exact form it takes. If it is a peripheral vestibular syndrome, treatment is usually not too much of a problem, and permanent discomfort can be avoided in most cases.


This is especially true for geriatric vestibular syndrome. It usually disappears on its own after a few days or weeks. However, it is possible for supposedly recovered dogs to relapse and develop symptoms again.


Apart from that, it occasionally happens that affected dogs keep their heads permanently crooked or cocked despite successful treatment. Although this takes some getting used to, it does not usually restrict the quality of life of the four-legged friend.


Auslöser, Symptome und Behandlung

Unfortunately, the prognosis for dogs affected by central vestibular syndrome is not always so favourable, as it is not uncommon for its cause to be a severe disease. Therefore, it may well be that canine vestibular syndrome cannot be cured in some cases.

Vestibular syndrome in dogs at a glance

Vestibular syndrome in dogs can have various causes and occur in different forms. A distinction is made between central and peripheral vestibular syndrome. If degenerative processes cause such problems in old dogs, it is called geriatric or idiopathic vestibular syndrome.


The symptoms, particularly disturbances of coordination and balance, are not equally pronounced in all affected animals, depending on the form and severity of the neurological disease. Regardless of this, you should, of course, not ignore your dog's complaints under any circumstances.


In any case, if symptoms occur, contact a veterinarian so that they can examine and treat your four-legged friend. Depending on the type and the trigger, vestibular syndrome in your dog can, with a bit of luck, be treated well so that your four-legged friend will hopefully soon feel better again.


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