My Dog Is Acting Drunk and Wobbly
Seeing your dog suddenly walking with an odd gait, appearing uncoordinated, or looking wobbly can feel deeply distressing. It might even seem like your furry friend has had too many martinis, but the truth could be a condition like vestibular ataxia.
This affects the vestibular system, which includes the peripheral portion (like the inner ear and middle ear) and the central portion of the brain responsible for balance control. Signs such as head tilting, nystagmus (rapid eye movements), or rolling toward one side often point to vestibular dysfunction.
Other causes of this appearance of drunkenness could include hypoglycemia, which affects a dog’s ability to function normally, or common issues like nausea and vomiting. It’s important to stay calm, ensure neither you nor your dog gets hurt and contact your vet for guidance. Whether it’s falling in circles or just acting strange, there are a number of things you can do to help while your dog regains their balance.
Why is my dog staggering?
If your dog is suddenly staggering, wobbly, or struggling to maintain balance, it’s a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention. Several conditions could be causing this behavior ranging from common ailments to more serious neurological problems. Here’s an overview of potential causes:
a. Common Causes:
1. Vestibular Disease
If your dog is suddenly wobbly, falling, or unable to stand, it might be experiencing a vestibular problem. This system, located in the ear, helps maintain balance and coordination. Trauma, infections, or even tumors can disrupt its function, leading to symptoms like a head tilt, rolling or dizzy behavior.
Some dogs may hold their head to the side, with their eyes moving up and down rapidly. This condition, often referred to as idiopathic vestibular disease, is common in older dogs and occurs without a clearly understood cause.
A thorough exam of the ears can help a vet find the root cause, but many idiopathic cases improve within a few days to a fortnight. Watch for signs like a slight head tilt or difficulty moving. Although the symptoms can seem alarming, most dogs recover well with supportive care.
2. Inner Ear Infection
Inner ear infections are a common reason for balance loss in dogs. These infections often lead to behaviors like head shaking, scratching, or walking in circles. You might notice eye flicking, redness, swelling, or even a foul odor from the affected ear. Sometimes, there’s visible discharge, making it clear that your dog is in discomfort.
If your dog shows these signs, it’s essential to consult a vet immediately. An untreated ear infection can worsen, causing your dog’s symptoms to escalate. Early treatment helps restore their balance and ensures their comfort.
3. Toxins
Exposure to toxic substances, such as antifreeze, slug pellets or spoiled food waste, can make a dog appear wobbly, collapsing, or even experiencing seizures. With more people using marijuana, it’s becoming increasingly common for dogs to accidentally ingest it. If your dog eats weed, you might notice symptoms like drunkenness, lethargy, or confusion. If that happens, you can find out what to do and what symptoms to watch for in more detail here.
These substances are dangerous if ingested, and prompt action is crucial. If your dog shows abnormal signs, like sudden sickness or trouble standing, you must call a vet immediately. In some cases, an injection can help your dog bring up the harmful toxin and prevent further harm.
Early treatment is essential to help the body eliminate toxins and prevent developing fatal cases. Toxin ingestion often requires rapid veterinary attention, as delays can be life-threatening. Keeping harmful items out of your dog’s access is vital to avoid emergencies.
4. Heatstroke
Unlike humans, dogs don’t rely on sweating to stay cool—they release heat mainly through panting. When it’s hot, especially during extreme weather or after being exercised, some dogs, especially flat-faced or brachycephalic breeds, may struggle with breathing effectively.
This can lead to overheating and potentially dangerous signs of heatstroke, like wobbliness, red gums, excessive panting or even collapsing. Always watch for these symptoms to ensure your furry friend doesn’t face serious health risks.
In hot weather, it’s important to think about how your dog can cope. Simple measures can prevent heatstroke and keep them safe.
Effective measures to prevent heatstroke include:
- Walking your dog during the cooler morning and evening hours.
- Provide cool water for your dog to drink.
- Ensure your dog stays in shaded areas when outside.
- Use cooling mats and coats to help keep your dog cool.
- Never leave your dog in the car during hot weather.
Brachycephalic breeds require extra care during the summer and an assessment by a vet is essential, as they often need surgery to breathe more easily, preventing collapsing episodes.
If you notice signs of heatstroke in your dog, take them to the vet immediately for intravenous fluid therapy and cooling procedures.
5. Spinal Disease
Wobbliness and weakness can sometimes point to problems in the spine, such as a slipped disc. Breeds like dachshunds, with their long backs, are particularly prone. It’s important to be careful when moving your dog—avoid letting them jump from a car or navigate steps without support.
A vet may recommend a neurological assessment or imaging to identify the cause, with examination being the first step to ensure proper care.
b. Neurological Causes:
1. Sensory, Vestibular & Cerebellar Ataxia
Ataxia is a condition in dogs that causes a loss of coordination and affects the rear end, head, and limbs. It can result from sensory dysfunction, issues with the vestibular system, or problems in the cerebellar region of the brain.
- Sensory ataxia can occur when the spinal cord is compressed by a tumor or a bulging intervertebral disk.
- Vestibular ataxia is an issue related to the inner ear or brainstem.
- Cerebellar ataxia occurs when the cerebellum is damaged.
Signs of ataxia include staggering, stumbling, falling, flicking eyes side to side, head tilt, walking in circles, vomiting and nausea.
2. Brain Tumor
Brain tumors in dogs, especially older pups, can cause staggering, stumbling, and a loss of balance. Depending on the location of the tumor, you might notice changes in behavior, appetite, or even seizures. Other symptoms include a head tilt, swaying, a wide stance, lack of coordination, head tremors, flicking of the eye, or repetitive pacing. These signs can indicate pain and require immediate veterinary attention.
3. Brain Inflammation
Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, is a serious condition that can cause your dog to stagger, stumble or even fall. It may result from tick-borne diseases, fungal infections, or parasites. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, and depression, requiring prompt veterinary care to address potential causes.
4. Seizures
If your dog experiences a seizure, it might show signs like muscle twitching, wobbliness, or even falling to the ground with muscles spasming. During the episode, you might notice salivating, paddling legs, or even urinating or defecating. In the pre-ictal phase, they may seem nervous, anxious, or start whining and trembling, while the seizure itself can last from seconds to a few minutes.
After the seizure, during the post-ictal phase, your dog may display disorientation, restlessness, or pacing. Create a calm environment by dimming lights, keeping the room quiet, and using cushions or blankets to prevent injuries if they’re banging against furniture. Avoid panicking; focus on their safety and comfort.
A vet examination is crucial to determine the cause of the seizure. This might involve blood samples, a urine sample, or imaging. Look out for different signs, like pale gums instead of their usual pink colour, or if your dog seems wobbly and struggles to breathe after exercise, as this may signal something more severe.
c. Other Causes:
1. Injury
Injuries like head trauma or damage to the inner ear can cause dogs to lose balance, making movement challenging. Your injured canine family members might mask pain, but signs such as heavy panting, slowed reflexes, enlarged pupils or a change in appetite can indicate pain.
Watch for biting, licking a wounded area, anxiety or a reluctance to lie down, as these behaviors may suggest something is wrong.
2. Stroke
When dogs experience a stroke, it can be sudden and alarming. While strokes are relatively uncommon in pets, they happen as a result of issues like blood clots, high blood pressure, hemorrhage, or even head trauma. In some cases, conditions such as kidney disease or migrating worms can trigger a stroke.
Common signs include a noticeable head tilt, loss of balance, circling, falling down, and sometimes loss of vision. If your dog shows these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek veterinary care immediately to address the underlying cause and ensure proper treatment.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
How is the cause of vestibular dysfunction diagnosed?
When a pet shows signs of vestibular dysfunction, a veterinarian will carefully evaluate them to differentiate between vestibular disease and other conditions causing incoordination. Initial steps often include baseline diagnostic testing such as blood work, x-rays, and a neurologic examination.
If needed, a veterinary neurologist might perform an MRI, which is often the test of choice to evaluate the inner ear, middle ear, and brain for an underlying cause of the vestibular dysfunction.
In some cases, an MRI is paired with a spinal tap to check for evidence of inflammation or meningitis. Depending on the findings, additional testing may be required. The results of these tests help pinpoint the root cause and guide proper treatment.
How is vestibular dysfunction treated?
Treatment for vestibular dysfunction depends on identifying the underlying cause. Infections in the inner ear or middle ear are common triggers and are often managed with systemic antibiotics or oral antibiotics.
In some cases, culture samples from the middle ear may be taken through a procedure called myringotomy, which involves carefully puncturing the eardrum to allow flushing and sampling of the infected contents.
When evaluating a dog’s condition, the pet history plays an important role, especially in identifying possible toxicity or past strokes. If no clear underlying cause is found through initial assessments, additional testing such as an MRI or spinal fluid analysis may be required.
These tests help identify inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases or even cancerous processes that may be contributing to the problem.
If vestibular dysfunction is caused by idiopathic vestibular syndrome, which is a diagnosis of exclusion, supportive medications are used to ease symptoms. In more severe cases, medication, radiation therapy or even surgical intervention might be necessary to address the underlying cause and improve the dog’s quality of life.
Prognosis for dogs with vestibular disease.
Prognosis for dogs with vestibular dysfunction depends on the underlying cause and how quickly intervention begins. With proper treatment and supportive care, most pets improve over time, although some may have persistent signs like a slight head tilt.
While this deficit might make them look a bit cute or curious, it’s usually harmless. Common causes of vestibular dysfunction can often be treated effectively with medications if evaluated early, leading to good overall progress.
What should I do if my dog is staggering and losing balance?
If your pup is showing signs of staggering or losing balance, it’s important to contact your vet immediately or visit an after-hours emergency clinic if needed. The veterinarian will determine the underlying cause of your dog’s symptoms and recommend the right treatment plan. Some conditions can be severe, so quick action ensures your pet gets the care they need as soon as possible.
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