Vestibular Disease

Vestibular disease is a condition that affects a pet’s balance system. Pets may look dizzy or as if they are “drunk,” stumbling, leaning, or falling to one side. The vestibular system—located in the inner ear and brain—normally tells the body how to stay upright. When it is not working properly, pets lose their sense of balance and coordination.

Signs

Pets with vestibular disease may show:

• Sudden head tilt

• Stumbling, circling, or leaning to one side

• Trouble standing or walking

• Abnormal eye movements (side to side or up and down)

• Nausea or vomiting, especially early on

• Confusion or disorientation

Causes

Vestibular disease has several possible causes, including:

• Inner or middle ear infection

• Low thyroid levels

• Stroke or brain inflammation

• Tumors in the brain

• Idiopathic vestibular disease – a sudden form with no known cause. This is very common in older dogs and cats and often improves on its own.

What You Can Do at Home

• Keep your pet confined to a safe, quiet area where they cannot fall down stairs or onto hard surfaces.

• Use soft bedding and help them up if they struggle to stand.

• Offer food and water in easily accessible bowls; hand-feeding may help.

• Some pets may be nauseous at first—your veterinarian can prescribe anti-nausea medication if needed.

• Use a towel or other sling under your pet’s belly to help them stand and walk, especially when going to the bathroom.

What May Happen at the Vet

Your veterinarian will first perform a thorough physical and neurologic exam. Depending on what they find, they may recommend:

• Bloodwork to check for thyroid problems, infections, or other health concerns.

• Ear exam to look for inner or middle ear infections.

• Blood pressure check.

• Imaging such as MRI (with a veterinary neurologist) to evaluate the brain and inner ear if more serious disease is suspected.

• Spinal fluid testing in some cases to look for inflammation or infection.

• Trial medications such as anti-nausea drugs, motion-sickness medications, ear medications or others, depending on the suspected cause.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

See your veterinarian right away if your pet shows any of the following:

• Sudden loss of balance, falling, or rolling to one side

• Severe difficulty walking or standing

• Vomiting that does not stop

• Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)

• Changes in behavior, confusion, or seizures

Prompt evaluation is important. While many cases improve quickly, some causes—such as stroke, infection, or brain disease—can be life-threatening if untreated.

Treatment & Outlook

• Idiopathic vestibular disease often improves noticeably within a few days. A head tilt may persist, but pets usually adapt well.

• Ear infections or thyroid problems can often be treated with medications.

• Other causes such as tumors, stroke, or inflammatory brain disease may require advanced testing and treatment by a neurologist.

Final Thought

Vestibular disease can be frightening to watch, but many pets—especially older ones with idiopathic disease—recover well. A veterinary exam helps rule out more serious problems and ensures your pet receives the right care.

Gal Chivvis, DVM