A few weeks ago, we braced ourselves to say goodbye to Cooper.
That Friday morning, he woke up, picked at his breakfast, and went outside. He seemed slow, off, and a bit disoriented. Over the course of the morning, his condition deteriorated rapidly. He couldn’t walk properly, wobbling and falling when he tried. He seemed confused and lost in the familiar rooms he’s lived in for the past seven years. He wouldn’t eat, and things kept getting worse as we waited for the vet to call back.
We feared the worst—a major stroke—but it turned out to be something commonly known as “old dog disease.” To our relief, Cooper was back to his normal self within a few days.
It was a terrifying experience, and here’s what we learned about vestibular disease in senior dogs, in case you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
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First, a Disclaimer
I am not a veterinarian or a vet tech. I have no medical training. This post shares our experience and the research I did afterward to learn more about vestibular disease in dogs. If you suspect anything is wrong with your dog, whether it’s this or a stroke, seizure, etc., call your vet or head to an emergency vet immediately.
What is the Vestibular System?
According to medical experts:
The vestibular system is a complex set of structures and neural pathways that contribute to our sense of balance and equilibrium. It includes the sensation of head orientation and acceleration in any direction, with associated compensation in eye movement and posture. These reflexes are known as the vestibulo-ocular and vestibulospinal reflexes. The vestibular system involves neural pathways in the brain that respond to input from the peripheral vestibular system in the inner ear, facilitating these reflexes. The vestibular system also plays a role in consciousness, and dysfunctions can cause cognitive deficits related to spatial memory, learning, and navigation.
In simpler terms, the vestibular system helps maintain balance and coordination in vertebrates, including dogs. When it malfunctions, balance and coordination are severely affected.
What Triggers Vestibular Disease in Dogs?
Often called canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome, “idiopathic” means there’s no known underlying cause. However, there are suspected triggers. Since the vestibular system includes parts of the ear, a severe ear infection can trigger the disease.
While symptoms can appear sudden and severe, the good news is that vestibular disease is not progressive. It usually resolves over a few days to a few weeks.
What Are the Symptoms of Old Dog Vestibular Disease?
The most common symptom is a loss of balance, making your dog appear drunk: stumbling, tilting to one side, and unable to walk straight. This was the most dramatic symptom we observed in Cooper, who was extremely dizzy.
Other symptoms include:
- Rapid, unusual, or abnormal eye movements
- Head tilt
- Nausea or vomiting
- Normal consciousness
It’s crucial to note that normal consciousness is a key distinction. If your dog is having a stroke or seizure, their consciousness will be abnormal. While Cooper seemed disoriented and lost, the vet suggested his dizziness was causing this disorientation.
Can Old Dogs Recover from Vestibular Disease?
Despite the alarming symptoms, there’s good news: old dogs can and do recover from vestibular disease. Recovery typically takes two to three weeks, but Cooper was back to normal within a week. We started him on motion sickness medication, per our vet’s recommendation, and fed him small amounts at a time. Within a few days, he was walking normally but was exhausted. After a couple more days of rest, he seemed fully back to himself. Three weeks later, Cooper is completely back to normal—eating, walking, playing, and napping like nothing ever happened.
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