#MedicalMonday: Sudden dizzy spells, loss of balance? My geriatric dog experienced this for about a week, a few months before she died. We thought this was the end for her, but at the vet we were relieved that it was something that can be medicated and will possibly help her to recover back to her normal self. During this time she needed extra frail care assistance from us, from helping her feed to getting up to relieve herself outside and also general walking assistance was needed. I found this post (content verified by Dr Adel) on a closed facebook group that I could not share the post, so Ive copied it to share it with you. _________________________________________________ Today were going to discuss vestibular disease. The vestibular system is what gives most mammals balance and a sense of spatial orientation. Vestibular disease affects the bodys balance systems. There is a peripheral form of the disease arising from outside the central nervous system which is caused by disorders affecting the inner ear. Central vestibular disease, which is a much less common and more serious form of the condition, originates inside the central nervous system. Peripheral vestibular disease occurs when theres irritation to the nerves connecting the inner ear with the brain. The result is a loss of balance and other symptoms resulting from vertigo and dizziness. Peripheral vestibular disease can look and feel pretty dramatic to the dog owner, especially the first time it occurs. But fortunately, most cases improve quickly with supportive care and treatment, and of course addressing any underlying cause for the condition. Treatment of Vestibular Disease Nausea and vomiting can be alleviated with motion sickness medications. But theres no specific treatment that consistently manages congenital vestibular disease or the geriatric form of the condition. These pets require supportive therapy in the form of nursing care and confinement. I have used homeopathic remedies with some success and rehabilitation therapies to help these patients learn better body awareness and improve their physical stability. Dizziness can prevent a dog from walking normally or at all, so food and water sometimes needs to be close by or even brought to the patient to encourage him to eat or drink. Some patients even need to be hand-fed until theyre feeling better. Many dogs need assistance in getting back and forth from their potty spot. The good news is puppies born with congenital vestibular disease issue often adapt and are less affected by the condition as they get older. In geriatric dogs, the condition usually resolves in one to two weeks, though the tendency to tilt the head can remain for a lifetime. If a middle or inner ear infection is present, sometimes antibiotics will be needed to improve the condition. If an underactive thyroid is the cause, the vestibular disease will resolve when the metabolic condition is managed correctly. If a medication is the root cause, discontinuing the medication can bring complete resolution, but sometimes there can be some residual hearing loss. Removal of polyps can result in a complete cure, but if there are cancerous tumors, then the outcome is generally less positive. Central vestibular disease usually has a poorer prognosis than the more common peripheral form, primarily due to the potential damage to the brain stem, which can be overall quite devastating. If an infection is identified it should be treated. If there is an inflammatory condition, it may respond to treatment initially, but it can progress to a point where it could be untreatable. Ive had some success in managing these patients with acupuncture treatments. Fortunately, the most common form of canine vestibular disease – the peripheral form – in most cases improves quickly, once the underlying cause is addressed and symptoms of vertigo are managed with supportive care. Posted by Manolo Medina, Spain
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:00:00 +0000
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