The vestibular system has components located in the inner ear and brain. Its job is to regulate the body’s ability to maintain balance and coordination. Vestibular disease is a condition in which the vestibular system functions abnormally, resulting in a sudden disturbance of balance. The condition can affect both cats and dogs and is most commonly seen in older pets.
Causes of Vestibular Disease
Vestibular disease can be caused by a number of factors, and it can often be difficult to identify a primary underlying cause. Possible causes include infection, trauma, inflammatory diseases, tumors, and reactions to medication. When the underlying cause cannot be identified, the condition is diagnosed as an idiopathic vestibular disease.
Symptoms of Vestibular Disease
The symptoms of vestibular disease often come on suddenly and can be very frightening for pet owners. The following are some of the most common symptoms associated with the condition.
- Sudden loss of balance
- Disorientation
- Head tilting
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Irregular eye movements
The symptoms of vestibular disease can appear similar to those of more serious conditions such as seizure or stroke. Please visit your veterinarian as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms so the underlying cause can be identified.
Diagnosis of Vestibular Disease
Your veterinarian will look at your pet’s medical history and perform a thorough physical examination to check for clinical signs of vestibular disease. They will also perform a neurological examination to determine the severity of your pet’s symptoms.
Additional testing may be necessary to rule out underlying causes of the condition. Diagnostic tests available to your veterinarian include blood work, urinalysis, radiographs, and advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans.
Treatment of Vestibular Disease
Treatment of vestibular disease will focus on addressing the underlying cause of the condition if it can be determined. Drugs such as anti-nausea medications and sedatives may also be prescribed to treat your pet’s symptoms. Depending on the severity of the condition, your pet may require additional supportive care on an inpatient basis.
If your veterinarian recommends home care, make sure to closely follow treatment advice and allow your pet time to recover. Thankfully, vestibular disease is usually a short-term condition, and most pets should make a full recovery within a few days or weeks. If the condition fails to improve, additional testing will be needed to identify the underlying cause.
Prevention of Vestibular Disease
Since there are many possible causes of the condition, vestibular disease is not considered preventable. The best way to protect your pet is to visit your veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms so your pet can be correctly diagnosed and treated.
