home Analyzes The dog has poor coordination of movement. What to do? What is vestibular syndrome in dogs? Drugs for coordination of movements in dogs

The dog has poor coordination of movement. What to do? What is vestibular syndrome in dogs? Drugs for coordination of movements in dogs

One reason is a gene mutation or heredity, due to which the puppy receives the disease from its parents. The following representatives of the canine world are most susceptible to gene ataxia:

Responsible owners and breeders of these dogs perform special veterinary tests to determine the animal's ability to pass on the disease by inheritance. If the test is positive, the dogs are not allowed to be bred, even if they are World Champions. But, unfortunately, heredity is not the only reason for the development of ataxia in dogs.

The disease can be provoked in a dog by head injuries that damage the brain (fall from height, collision with a car), neuritis and otitis, severe infectious diseases, brain tumors.

Causes of the disease

Why your dog may lose balance, have problems with coordination, and experience discomfort. Let's take a closer look at the main reasons.

Disorientation is an altered state in which your dog loses direction. This can occur as a result of many factors that affect the central nervous system or inner ear. Age-related dementia can also affect a dog's disorientation, causing him to become confused even in familiar places.

Many processes that occur in the spinal cord can affect your dog's balance and coordination. This can include tumors, infections, inflammation, trauma, or a disease such as degenerative myelopathy, which can lead to paralysis. So-called Wobbler's Syndrome affects the spine in the neck area and causes an unsteady gait, which is especially noticeable when the affected dog walks slowly or as if walking on slippery floors.

Muscle weakness and atrophy can be caused by multiple factors and is manifested by instability and imbalance in dogs. A muscle disorder causes disruption of electrical signals from nerves to muscles. This disease is called myositis, an inflammation of muscle tissue that can lead to the inability to walk.

There are several reasons that can affect your dog's ability to move normally. Many injuries and disruptions to the nerves and muscles of the leg extremities can lead to loss of balance and lack of coordination. This condition is called ataxia. A torn cruciate ligament, hip dysplasia, luxating patella or osteochondrosis all cause pain when walking and prevent your pet from moving without problems.

Inner ear problems

The inner ear is where the sense of balance occurs, and when it is damaged, this balance can be lost. Infection, inflammation, swelling, and trauma in this sensitive area can cause your dog to walk unsteadily and uncoordinated. When the inner ear does not function normally, the condition is often called vestibular syndrome.

Brain condition

Brain tumors, infections, and inflammation can affect your dog's ability to balance and walk normally, as well as affect nerve function. Abnormalities in the cerebellum and degenerative changes that can occur due to disease and old age can also affect nerve function.

Canine fever is a highly contagious viral infection that your dog can contract from contact with infected animals. The virus attacks the nervous system, leading to seizures and ultimately paralysis.

Dehydration (dehydration) is an imbalance of water in your dog's body. This condition can cause your body's water levels to become dangerously low. As the body compensates by drawing water from individual cells, essential electrolytes are lost. This can seriously affect muscle function.

Anemia or anemia is a condition in which the number of circulating red blood cells is significantly reduced. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all cells of the body, including muscles. If there are not enough red blood cells to take oxygen to the muscles, then these cells become hungry and weakened. Anemia can also affect the brain and cause confusion and dizziness.

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

Also, this neurological phenomenon can be:

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 types of disease is divided into?

There is a peripheral form of the disease, which occurs when the peripheral nervous system is damaged, which, however, can affect the inner ear. But this variety is relatively rare.

The central form of the disease is much more common, but it is also much more severe. The reason is simple - the central nervous system is affected, which is fraught not only with damage to the vestibular apparatus, but also with other pathologies, many of which are deadly.

Peripheral vestibular syndrome in dogs occurs when the nerves connecting the inner ear and the brain are affected. As a result, the dog may experience constant dizziness, which negatively affects the ability to maintain body stability in space. Many novice dog breeders, encountering this pathology for the first time, believe that something very bad has happened to their dog.

Fortunately, peripheral vestibular syndrome is a fairly “harmless” disease, since in many cases its manifestations can be dealt with quickly and without much expense.

Why does it develop?

First, let's look at the causes of the peripheral variety. This includes chronic and recurrent inflammatory processes in the inner and middle ear, including those caused by fanatical cleaning of the ears, the consequences of traumatic brain injury, stroke, tumors, polyps, meningoencephalitis, hypothyroidism, as well as thoughtless intake of certain drugs (antibiotics from the aminoglycoside group). The following are especially dangerous for dogs in this regard: amikacin, gentamicin, neomycin.

They are cheap, and therefore “caring” owners who decide to “treat” their dog themselves often buy them. Sometimes their use ends well for the dog, but sometimes serious consequences arise.

It is also very dangerous if owners excessively use various means to clean the dog’s ears. If you drip glasses of them into your ears, nothing good can happen. The compounds included in these drugs, if the dose is exceeded, cause serious irritation and inflammation of the middle and inner ear.

Sometimes it is a birth defect. In older dogs, the disease often has to be considered idiopathic. It is possible that in some cases an autoimmune process is to blame, due to which the body itself begins to attack the nervous tissues and vestibular apparatus. In puppies and middle-aged dogs, the most common cause is middle ear infections. The older the dog, the more likely it is that the pathology was caused by some kind of tumor.

What are the predisposing factors in the case of central vestibular syndrome? Meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, other infections or injuries affecting the brain, disrupting its integrity and functionality. The possibility of cerebral hemorrhage, hematoma, and cancer should not be excluded.

Identifying the Symptoms and Treatments for Dog Ataxia

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.

In Greek, the word ataxia means “without order.” This description speaks volumes about the symptoms of the disease. With progressive ataxia, the dog looks “drunk”, falls, stumbles, turns its head, and crouches when turning. At the same time, moving in a straight line is quite easy for sick dogs, but the pet is not able to climb the stairs, walk along a winding corridor, or change the trajectory of movement.

Dogs with ataxia may even bump into large objects, are unable to jump, make a turn, are unable to chase a person or other animal, or play with their relatives. Animals with a damaged cerebellum move with small “goose steps”, and at the same time they can walk too wide, placing their paw much further than necessary.

Some owners confuse the manifestations of ataxia with epilepsy, as animals often shudder, suffer from dizziness, their head shakes, their eyelids and chin tremble. Convulsive jerks and movements usually occur in a situation where the animal is concentrated, for example, eating or trying to plot a route.

Video - Ataxia in dogs

Ataxia in dogs is considered one of the most terrible diseases based on the genetic principle of distribution. It always appears as a result of damage to the cerebellum, and this disease is characterized by problems that make the dog’s movements unusual, or rather, abrupt and disproportionate.

Dogs affected by this disease often begin to fall, and they also lose their balance.

Yes, such dogs can still eat and continue to live, but only with constant human care and attention.

Who is more at risk for ataxia in dogs?

This disease has spread throughout the world, and in some countries specialists even take measures to ensure that patients with ataxia do not mate under any circumstances.

But it is worth noting that not all dogs suffer from this disease equally often.

Pets of the following breeds are most often affected by the disease:

Scotch Terriers;
Staffordshire Terriers;
setter gordon;
Old English Sheepdogs;
cocker spaniels.

Agree that in the CIS countries you can rarely find a dog of one of these breeds, so many people are not even aware of such a disease as cerebellar ataxia.

In some breeds, there are also more terrible varieties of the disease that develop incredibly rapidly, as a result of which the dog can suddenly die, since in such cases most of the motor systems are often affected. Thus, the dog is completely lost in space.

Symptoms of vestibular disease include: a constant and strong tilt of the head, loss of coordination, the animal begins to stumble literally out of the blue, the dog often falls, and begins to spin while already on the floor. Very often, with vestibular syndrome, nystagmus occurs, and it is vertical.

All this is accompanied by profuse salivation and sometimes vomiting (remember how you felt on the carousel). In cases where vestibular syndrome develops on only one side, the animal's head will deviate in the direction of the lesion. If the pathology is bilateral, the disease is indicated by extremely inappropriate behavior of the animal, as well as vertical nystagmus in both eyes.

Congenital vestibular disease in dogs is detected from birth to three months of age. Both varieties of German Shepherd, Doberman Pinschers, Akitu Inu, English Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Fox Terriers, and Tibetan Terriers are especially susceptible.

Vestibular disease in older dogs is often mistaken for a stroke. Dizziness caused by the disease can be especially intense in very old dogs, who in this case cannot stand up at all, or do it with extreme difficulty, their neck bends, and nystagmus is observed.

In severe cases, the animal’s condition is so severe that it cannot eat and empties its intestines and bladder directly under itself. Note that in such a situation the issue of the appropriateness of treatment should be resolved. Perhaps euthanasia is a more humane option.

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.

Cost of treatment

It’s worth mentioning right away that most people, having heard that their pet has suffered such a terrible diagnosis, are interested in the possibility of treatment. The fact is that the treatment of the disease is of great interest to pet owners; it is considered an incurable disease. We are talking about ataxia that appeared due to a hereditary factor or some defect. The fact is that no special drugs have been invented that would have a qualitative effect on the animal’s cerebellum.

But if a tumor or, for example, some kind of infectious disease was discovered in the dog (in cases where this became the cause of the development of the disease), then you can try to cure it. Fortunately, modern antibiotics, developed specifically for dogs, help fight many terrible diseases that in the recent past caused the death of pets.

Surgery can also help (for tumors), but the cerebellum cannot be affected in any way. You ask: “What can be done if ataxia was caused precisely by a hereditary factor?” In fact, all you have to do is come to terms with the problem and purchase medications that will help make the dog’s future life calmer and more enjoyable.

Most often, special sedatives are prescribed for this purpose, which help relieve panic. There are, of course, special medications for movement disorders, but often they can only make things worse for the dog. Consult a veterinarian, because if the wrong medications are chosen, the animal may die.

Further life of dogs: basic rules

Your task is to improve the dog's future life. Under no circumstances should she live on the street, even if she has an excellent kennel. The fact is that a dog whose coordination is impaired can harm itself without proper supervision. In the room you allocate for your dog, there should be no objects that have sharp corners, because, despite all the prescribed medications, the pet’s condition will suffer changes, and for the worse.

It is also worth noting that some animals may, over time, begin to adapt to life with a congenital pathology, but this process is not typical for all breeds. In some cases, the dog will even move more or less independently, avoiding small obstacles. But there are also not so good situations; sometimes you have to put the dog to sleep so that it simply stops suffering.

If, however, your dog begins to lose coordination, it needs treatment. The cost of such treatment depends on the causes of the disease. For example, treatment for disorientation can cost up to 1800 UAH, while the cost of Wobbler syndrome (spinal cord problem) can be approximately 4000 UAH. As a rule, most procedures can vary from 100 to 3000 UAH.

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 only possible 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.

The treatment regimen for ataxia in dogs depends on the cause that caused it. If the cause of ataxia is a tumor compressing the cerebellum or nerve canals, its surgical removal can result in significant improvement, up to complete recovery.

If ataxia is caused by genetics, then it is impossible to cure the brain damage. If the stage of damage is severe, veterinarians consider it humane to euthanize the dog so as not to condemn it to years of unpleasant and painful existence. In cases where ataxia is relatively mild, the animal's quality of life can be improved.

The therapeutic regimen for maintaining an animal with ataxia includes painkillers, medications that relieve nervous tension, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin complexes (in particular, B-group vitamins).

The owner of a dog who has been diagnosed with ataxia must provide the pet with the most comfortable conditions possible: select equipment for walking in which the animal can be well controlled (for example, a harness), secure the room where the dog is. It will never be possible to cure genetic ataxia, and the owner must be prepared for the fact that his pet will be dependent on his attention and patience all his life.

Therapy

Let us immediately warn you that treatment of vestibular syndrome in dogs is impossible if we are talking about a congenital case, or when the disease begins to develop in an old dog. In this case, only drugs are prescribed that alleviate the animal’s condition. Of course, in cases where the dog becomes helpless, the owner will have to constantly care for it, remove secretions, and massage it in order to avoid the development of bedsores.

There is good news: if vestibular syndrome appears in a very young puppy, there is a good chance that its vestibular apparatus will fully adapt to unusual conditions, after which the animal will be able to live a full life. In principle, even in old dogs it is most often possible to induce remission, but the dog may still have the “habit” of walking with his head bowed.

Since in most cases the disease is caused by inflammation of an infectious etiology, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed, cancer is treated surgically (if possible), or through chemotherapy. In situations where hypothyroidism has led to the development of the disease, replacement therapy is resorted to.

As a rule, if the root cause is completely eliminated, it is possible to completely get rid of vestibular syndrome. Unfortunately, this applies to a lesser extent in cases of oncology: even if a malignant tumor is removed, the animal may suffer from residual effects.

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.

Prevention measures

Treatment of vestibular syndrome is a long process that will require considerable patience and endurance from both the owner and the pet. To avoid relapses, you should carefully monitor symptoms and under no circumstances interrupt treatment, even if the condition has improved significantly.

To prevent the development of vestibular syndrome in your pet, you need to:

feed the animal correctly;
systematically walk;
avoid situations where the pet may injure its head;
immediately respond to any changes in the dog’s behavior;
It is imperative to continue to treat diseases, especially for otitis media, which can subsequently cause serious health problems.

Ataxia in dogs is not always automatically a death sentence. With superficial lesions, the animal only needs emergency measures, and thinking about euthanasia is too hasty. This is confirmed by the long-term life of a considerable percentage of dogs surrounded by the necessary care.

Ataxia is a neurological disorder of a congenital or acquired nature, which is manifested by lack of coordination in the movements of an animal. At the same time, muscle strength is often preserved in the limbs, and any involuntary movements, paresis or excessive spasticity may be absent. The animal's consciousness often does not change.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Ataxia is not considered as a separate disease, because it is a symptom complex of one or another lesion of the central nervous system or vestibular apparatus of the dog. Often it is a genetic defect or occurs as a result of specific underlying causes.

Types of ataxia

Depending on the location of the lesion, ataxia exists in three forms: general proprioceptive (sensitive), vestibular and cerebellar ataxia in dogs - the cerebellar form.

Cerebellar

Cerebellar ataxia in dogs can be characterized by either a sudden onset or a chronic course, be congenital or occur for a number of reasons, progress or remain stable.

As the main coordinator of movements and balance regulator, the cerebellum also controls the animal’s muscle strength and ensures the rhythm and balance of these movements. Because of this, the affected cerebellar hemispheres lead to dynamic ataxia of the limbs, and dysfunction of the cerebellar vermis results in the dog’s inability to maintain body balance and maintain a certain posture (static subtype).

Congenital pathology is caused by autosomal recessive inheritance. The dog receives from each parent 2 defective copies of the mutated gene, affected by ataxia. In this case, the pathology is considered as an isolated disease. The congenital form may not progress throughout the dog’s life.

Acquired cerebellar ataxia in some cases develops as a result of the following pathologies:

tumors in the brain;
falling from height;
autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus);
brain infections and severe inflammation;
collision with a car;
anomalies in the development of cerebellar structures and the structure of the skull;
degenerative processes in cerebellar cells;
metronidazole intoxication;
acute thiamine deficiency;
ischemic infarction in older dogs;
helminthic intoxication.

In most cases, characteristic signs of the disease begin to appear after 3 or even 5 years.

Ataxia is manifested by the dog's awkwardness, which is unusual for the owner, and a gait with widely spaced paws, which is initially most noticeable after the animal has woken up and is trying to get up. After a certain time, strange swaying of the body and a clear inability to maintain balance become more and more obvious.

Male dogs begin to lose balance when urinating. The dog moves either too fast with goose steps, or, on the contrary, slow, taking too wide a step. Freezes unpredictably from time to time. When driving in a straight line it goes almost exactly, but gets very lost when turning.

Muscle tremors are present both when the dog tries to maintain a specific position (postural) and when moving (dynamic). There is no threat reflex: the animal does not reflexively close its eyelids when hands or objects approach the eyes, and over time, nystagmus develops - frequent involuntary rotations of the eyes. The pupils of the left and right eyes are of different sizes - anisocoria. Hypertonicity of the forelimbs and occipital muscles manifests itself in paroxysms. The dog often throws its head back.

The progressive form leads to stable weight loss, because it becomes increasingly difficult for the dog to eat. She often hits her face on the food in her bowl. In especially severe cases, the animal ceases to recognize the owner and long-familiar, familiar places. Quite often, owners mistake the clinical manifestations of the disease for a stroke or epilepsy.

Hereditary cerebellar ataxia particularly affects Staffordshire terriers, American and English cocker spaniels, Kerry blue terriers, hairless Chinese crested dogs, Scottish terriers and shepherd dogs.

Sensitive

Sensitive (proprioceptive) ataxia develops in animals in the case of a number of spinal cord pathologies. Often these are damages in the systems of ascending SC fibers that lead to the cerebral cortex, which are responsible for awareness of the position of the body in space. In medicine, these systems are called Gaulle and Burdach bundles. And the second root cause is compression (compression) of the spinal cord due to narrowing of the spinal canal, all kinds of injuries, arterial blockages, cysts, tumors, intervertebral hernias, infections and degenerative processes in the spinal tissues.

The dog's gait suddenly becomes "strange." While walking, the animal often looks down carefully and takes very careful steps, as if it is afraid to step on something. The most basic typical sign of this form of the disease is volar flexion - when moving, the dog does not fully raise its paws, but seems to “drag” its toes along the floor or on the ground.

The animal looks confused and cannot determine the correct direction of movement for a long time. At the same time, the rest of the dog’s behavior is completely adequate. Severe lesions lead to complete inability to move.

Vestibular

A sluggish, unsteady gait, staggering and periodic “throwing” to the side, which are accompanied by a tilt of the dog’s head to the left or right, are signs of vestibular ataxia. Along with this, spontaneous strabismus and nystagmus are often observed, regardless of head movements. One-sided or bilateral deafness cannot be ruled out. During an examination at the clinic, specialists may detect facial paralysis and Horner's syndrome - pathological constriction of the pupil and drooping of the upper eyelid.

The vestibular system controls muscles that are directly involved in maintaining head position, eye movements, and overall balance. And all incoming information from the outside is used to appropriately coordinate and regulate the movements performed.

The central structures of the vestibular apparatus are located in the brain, and the peripheral structures are located in the inner and middle ear. Damage to these structures in one area or another causes vestibular ataxia. In particular, these are the following pathologies:

Symptoms

Regardless of the location of the initial lesion, some manifestations of ataxia are common to all three forms:

incoordination of movements, which is manifested by staggering, uncertain, careful walking, stumbling, squatting when turning, or rolling onto one side;
it is extremely difficult or even impossible for a dog to climb stairs or jump even on a low surface (for example, on a sofa);
during walks the animal does not show activity towards other dogs;
muscle tremors are noticeable at rest or during movement;
appetite is significantly reduced;
Nystagmus periodically appears: rapid movements of the eyeballs to the sides or up and down.

Each dog has its own quantitative and qualitative symptoms. The intensity of manifestations is always individual. And if one animal has all the symptoms “on the list,” another dog may have only one symptom (balance problems), and the diagnosis for both dogs will be the same. In addition, in some cases there is a mixture of symptoms of cerebellar and sensory ataxia, as well as cerebellar and vestibular. This suggests that the animal has a mixed form of the disease.

Signs of ataxia in puppies

Mostly, the pathology affects already mature dogs. But in a situation of congenital pathogenesis, ataxia in a puppy manifests itself quite clearly already at the 4th or 5th week. As a rule, the root cause is hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the cerebellum.

The puppies shake their heads, rise to their paws with great difficulty, and fall onto their sides after only 2-3 steps. Nystagmus is possible. In all other respects, the behavior of babies is no different from healthy puppies: they are very active, curious and have a good appetite.

Similar symptoms of cerebellar ataxia can be observed in a puppy against the background of infestation with large helminths.

Diagnostics

Based on a number of visual manifestations, detailed complaints from the owner and specific tests, a specialist can easily determine ataxia and its form. But in order to find out the root cause of the pathology, it is necessary to donate blood and undergo an MRI - an extremely informative diagnostic option for suspected ataxia. If the clinic does not have such equipment, use an x-ray.

The symptoms of vestibular ataxia are quite striking. In this case, an additional otoscopy (detailed examination of the ear) is performed, and a CT scan or ultrasound is required if there is no way to undergo an MRI.

There are known cases of hereditary cerebellar ataxia, when by all indicators the results are normal, but the animal dies, and the diagnosis is clearly confirmed after an autopsy.

Treatment of ataxia in dogs

The treatment regimen is determined by the root cause of ataxia. The most favorable prognosis is for the vestibular and sensitive forms. In this case, it is enough to eliminate the tumor, inflammation or symptoms of intoxication for the recovery process to begin. Whether recovery is complete or only partial depends on the severity of the original lesion. Some irreversible processes often leave residual neurological signs, which still allow the dog to live more or less fully for several more years.

The cerebellar form is the most severe case. Genetic etiology, unfortunately, cannot be treated. But if the disease does not progress, the dog lives a fairly tolerable life, adapting to its “shortcomings.” At the same time, acute cerebellar ataxia, provoked by an ischemic infarction, often allows the animal to fully recover after timely treatment.

To one degree or another, a dog’s life is made easier by sedatives, multivitamin complexes, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and painkillers. Each product and its dosage must be prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian. Any experiments on the part of the owner can result in irreversible consequences.

Ataxia in dogs is a disease that gives the animal virtually no chance if the owner does not notice alarming symptoms in time and does not seek help from a veterinarian. The disease is associated with dysfunction of the cerebellum, the main part of the brain. With severe ataxia, the dog loses the ability to coordinate its movements and maintain balance. This disease can be congenital, genetic, or acquired. Today we will talk about the causes of ataxia in dogs, its symptoms and treatment.

Ataxia in dogs: symptoms and treatment

Dogs that, for some reason, have developed ataxia, that is, the cerebellum functions with disturbances or does not perform its function at all, lose the ability to move in space. You need to understand that the muscle strength and performance of the limbs do not disappear, but the animal simply cannot use its paws.

Disturbances in the functioning of the cerebellum are characterized by such unpleasant consequences as impaired coordination and balance; therefore, the dog seems to be “dangling” in space, unable to control its own body. Accordingly, pets with ataxia continue to exist, can eat and drink and even move around, but only with the help of the owner.

Types of ataxia in dogs

In addition to the cerebellar, there are other types of ataxic lesions of the dog’s brain:

frontal lobes;
channels responsible for vision;
crown areas;
posterior nerve canals;
mental;

Table. Variations of ataxia in dogs

The types of ataxia differ only in the location of damage to the nervous system; they do not differ in symptoms or treatment methods.

Why does cerebellar ataxia occur in dogs?

One reason is a gene mutation or heredity, due to which the puppy receives the disease from its parents. The following representatives of the canine world are most susceptible to gene ataxia:

Responsible owners and breeders of these dogs perform special veterinary tests to determine the animal's ability to pass on the disease by inheritance. If the test is positive, the dogs are not allowed to be bred. But, unfortunately, heredity is not the only reason for the development of ataxia in dogs.

The disease can be provoked in a dog by head injuries that damage the brain (fall from height, collision with a car), neuritis and otitis, severe infectious diseases, brain tumors.

Ataxia in dogs: symptoms

In Greek, the word ataxia means “without order.” This description speaks volumes about the symptoms of the disease. With progressive ataxia, the dog looks “drunk”: falls, stumbles, turns its head, crouches when turning. At the same time, moving in a straight line is quite easy for sick dogs, but the pet is not able to climb the stairs, walk along a winding corridor, or change the trajectory of movement.

Video - Ataxia in dogs

Examination and diagnosis

Despite the characteristic signs of the disease, an accurate diagnosis can only be made in a veterinary clinic. As a rule, there is only one examination method - the animal undergoes magnetic resonance imaging. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and allows the doctor to make a conclusion about the functioning of all parts of the brain, including the cerebellum.

During the diagnosis, the veterinarian must also exclude or detect other or concomitant diseases that may give similar symptoms or be the root cause of ataxia in the animal.

Treatment of ataxia in dogs

The therapeutic regimen for maintaining an animal with ataxia includes painkillers, medications that relieve nervous tension, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin complexes (in particular, B-group vitamins).

The vestibular system is responsible for maintaining balance. The vestibular apparatus has central structures located in the brain and peripheral structures located in the inner and middle ear.

Vestibular syndrome in dogs refers to a sudden, non-progressive imbalance. Typically found in old dogs. In older dogs, this condition is also often diagnosed as idiopathic vestibular syndrome (occurring for no apparent reason).

What are the symptoms of the disorder?

Most dogs experience sudden loss of balance, disorientation, head tilting, and involuntary eye twitching known as nystagmus. Many dogs cannot stand or walk. Most dogs lean or fall in the direction of their head tilt.

What are the causes of vestibular disorder?

The causes of vestibular syndrome can be infections of the internal or middle ear, medications that are toxic to the ears, hypothyroidism, and ear injuries and tumors. If the root cause cannot be determined, the diagnosis is idiopathic vestibular syndrome. These disorders are characterized by the sudden onset of clinical signs and their rapid improvement with minimal medical intervention.

How is vestibular syndrome diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made based on medical history, clinical symptoms, and results of urine and blood tests. In some cases, a head x-ray is required to evaluate the middle and inner ear. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) is sometimes also used.

The diagnostic criteria for idiopathic vestibular syndrome are:

old dog
Sudden onset of symptoms
No causes were found, no infections of the inner or middle ear, no trauma, hypothyroidism, etc.
Symptoms improved within a few weeks

Treatment of Vestibular Symptoms in Dogs

Treatment for both central and peripheral vestibular syndrome depends on the cause of the disease, if one has been identified. In severe cases, supportive care and hospitalization are used until the dog is able to eat and walk independently. If the animal is severely disoriented or has ataxia (lack of coordination and cannot walk or stand), it may require sedatives. Antibiotics may be used in cases of ear infection.

What is the prognosis for dogs with vestibular syndrome?

Clinical symptoms associated with the syndrome are often most severe during the first 24 or 48 hours. The animal's condition usually improves within 72 hours. Head tilt and ataxia improve within 7 to 10 days. Most dogs make a full recovery within two to three weeks, although some will have residual symptoms such as slight head tilt. If the animal's condition does not improve or worsens, then it is necessary to look for the root cause of the disorder and conduct a thorough diagnostic examination.