Eva
Jedi
Yesterday morning and without any previous warning my dog, 12 years old now, completely lost orientation and tilting his head to the left he was bumping into walls and moaning as if in terrible pain .
The vet said the most likely diagnosis is idopathic vestibular disease, if this is the case he should show considerable improvement over the next 48 hours
Here's a few things I found about it here _http://www.pettalkwithdrb.com/did-dog-have-stroke.php
"The vestibular system is the neurological equipment responsible for perceiving the body’s orientation relative to earth. It is responsible for maintaining posture, balance of the head and trunk, and the position of the eyes in relation to head movement. The vestibular system can be divided into central and peripheral components. Central vestibular structures are located within the brainstem and cerebellum. Peripheral vestibular structures involve the nerves related to receptors in the inner ear. Idiopathic vestibular disease involves the peripheral vestibular system.
Idiopathic means that the cause of the condition is unknown. Dogs with acute idiopathic vestibular disease are often older than 7 years of age; hence, the disease is sometimes referred to as “old dog vestibular disease.” Feline idiopathic vestibular disease most often occurs in late July and August in the northeastern part of North America, and for unknown reasons tends to affect male outdoor cats more often.
Clinical signs of vestibular disease often occur quickly. Animals will often have a head tilt due to the loss of antigravity muscle tone on one side of the neck. The head will tilt toward the side of the problem. Animals can also have a nystagmus, which is an abnormal eye movement from side to side. The eye movement will include a rapid phase,which will often be away from the side of the problem. Other clinical signs that may occur include falling (often toward the side of the lesion), gait disturbance, circling and motion sickness.
Other causes of vestibular problems include inner ear infections and brain lesions. Inner ear infections also involve the peripheral vestibular system and can cause clinical signs similar to idiopathic vestibular disease. Animals with vestibular disease typically have a history of chronic ear infections and must have their ear drums examined for any evidence of possible infection. Brain lesions involve the central vestibular system. Central vestibular problems can be differentiated from peripheral problems based on cranial nerve abnormalities of the opposite side, or a nystagmus that is vertical or only present when the head is placed in certain positions.
The prognosis for idiopathic vestibular disease is excellent and the improvement of clinical signs usually occurs within 72 hours. Animals usually return to normal within 10-14 days, but some may continue to have a head tilt long term. Treatment usually involves supportive care, including preventing motion sickness, and an idiopathic vestibular disorder will rarely reoccur. "
He also has a history of inner ear infections - he had his left ear removed along with the auditory tube 4 years ago, so he is taking a blood brain barrier penetrating antibiotic treatment just in case.
Other causes for vestibular dysfunction, which present under the same symptomatology are better listed here _http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/vestibular.html
"[...]
Clinical signs:
Signs of vestibular disease include ataxia, head tilt, and abnormal nystagmus. A wide-based stance and swaying of the head and trunk characterize ataxia. The patient may tend to lean and fall to one side. In severe cases, the animal may continuously roll to one side. Head tilt is an abnormal position of the head such that one ear is held lower than the other. Nystagmus is a rhythmic movement of the eyes, where the eyes move back and forth or up and down. In some cases of vestibular disease, there is a sudden onset of severe signs. This may initially be confused with a seizure
[...]
Vestibular diseases:
Ear infection:
Infection of the middle/inner ear is a common cause of vestibular disease in the dog. Most cases can be diagnosed by a thorough examination of the ear with an otoscope. Ear culture, X-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is sometimes necessary. If bacteria cause the infection, treatment consists of appropriate antibiotics.
Canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome:
This is also a common cause of vestibular disease in the dog. Another name is geriatric vestibular syndrome. Older dogs (mean age 12.5 years) are primarily affected. There is a sudden onset of ataxia (which can be severe), head tilt, nystagmus and occasionally vomiting. The cause of this syndrome is unknown. Diagnosis is based on the signs and excluding other causes of vestibular dysfunction. Affected dogs improve spontaneously within 2 weeks, although there may be a mild, persistent head tilt. Nursing care is important during recovery. Unfortunately, affected dogs are sometimes euthanized because of the severe signs and concerns that the patient has a brain tumor or stroke.
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism can cause vestibular dysfunction in dogs. Signs may develop suddenly or over time. Diagnosis is based on laboratory evaluation of thyroid function and response to thyroid supplementation. Vestibular dysfunction typically resolves within 2 months of treatment.
Toxicity:
Medications placed in the ear are the most common cause of vestibular toxicity; although some orally administered drugs can also be a problem, especially at high doses. Ear drops or other substances should never be placed in a dog's ear except on the specific recommendation of a veterinarian.
Cancer:
Tumors in the inner ear or brain can cause vestibular problems. Older animals are more commonly affected and there may be pain on opening the mouth. Diagnosis is based on x-rays, CT, MRI, and/or biopsy.
Encephalitis:
Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) can cause vestibular dysfunction. Causes include infections, such as distemper virus, and non-infectious causes. Diagnosis often requires analysis of spinal fluid. Some types of infection can be specifically treated with medications."
My old boy is in the hospital and will stay there for the next two days. He can hardly stand on his feet, turning on his side takes considerable effort and he's obviously in pain, yet he still finds the strength to push his face against mine and lick me.
The vet said the most likely diagnosis is idopathic vestibular disease, if this is the case he should show considerable improvement over the next 48 hours
Here's a few things I found about it here _http://www.pettalkwithdrb.com/did-dog-have-stroke.php
"The vestibular system is the neurological equipment responsible for perceiving the body’s orientation relative to earth. It is responsible for maintaining posture, balance of the head and trunk, and the position of the eyes in relation to head movement. The vestibular system can be divided into central and peripheral components. Central vestibular structures are located within the brainstem and cerebellum. Peripheral vestibular structures involve the nerves related to receptors in the inner ear. Idiopathic vestibular disease involves the peripheral vestibular system.
Idiopathic means that the cause of the condition is unknown. Dogs with acute idiopathic vestibular disease are often older than 7 years of age; hence, the disease is sometimes referred to as “old dog vestibular disease.” Feline idiopathic vestibular disease most often occurs in late July and August in the northeastern part of North America, and for unknown reasons tends to affect male outdoor cats more often.
Clinical signs of vestibular disease often occur quickly. Animals will often have a head tilt due to the loss of antigravity muscle tone on one side of the neck. The head will tilt toward the side of the problem. Animals can also have a nystagmus, which is an abnormal eye movement from side to side. The eye movement will include a rapid phase,which will often be away from the side of the problem. Other clinical signs that may occur include falling (often toward the side of the lesion), gait disturbance, circling and motion sickness.
Other causes of vestibular problems include inner ear infections and brain lesions. Inner ear infections also involve the peripheral vestibular system and can cause clinical signs similar to idiopathic vestibular disease. Animals with vestibular disease typically have a history of chronic ear infections and must have their ear drums examined for any evidence of possible infection. Brain lesions involve the central vestibular system. Central vestibular problems can be differentiated from peripheral problems based on cranial nerve abnormalities of the opposite side, or a nystagmus that is vertical or only present when the head is placed in certain positions.
The prognosis for idiopathic vestibular disease is excellent and the improvement of clinical signs usually occurs within 72 hours. Animals usually return to normal within 10-14 days, but some may continue to have a head tilt long term. Treatment usually involves supportive care, including preventing motion sickness, and an idiopathic vestibular disorder will rarely reoccur. "
He also has a history of inner ear infections - he had his left ear removed along with the auditory tube 4 years ago, so he is taking a blood brain barrier penetrating antibiotic treatment just in case.
Other causes for vestibular dysfunction, which present under the same symptomatology are better listed here _http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/vestibular.html
"[...]
Clinical signs:
Signs of vestibular disease include ataxia, head tilt, and abnormal nystagmus. A wide-based stance and swaying of the head and trunk characterize ataxia. The patient may tend to lean and fall to one side. In severe cases, the animal may continuously roll to one side. Head tilt is an abnormal position of the head such that one ear is held lower than the other. Nystagmus is a rhythmic movement of the eyes, where the eyes move back and forth or up and down. In some cases of vestibular disease, there is a sudden onset of severe signs. This may initially be confused with a seizure
[...]
Vestibular diseases:
Ear infection:
Infection of the middle/inner ear is a common cause of vestibular disease in the dog. Most cases can be diagnosed by a thorough examination of the ear with an otoscope. Ear culture, X-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is sometimes necessary. If bacteria cause the infection, treatment consists of appropriate antibiotics.
Canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome:
This is also a common cause of vestibular disease in the dog. Another name is geriatric vestibular syndrome. Older dogs (mean age 12.5 years) are primarily affected. There is a sudden onset of ataxia (which can be severe), head tilt, nystagmus and occasionally vomiting. The cause of this syndrome is unknown. Diagnosis is based on the signs and excluding other causes of vestibular dysfunction. Affected dogs improve spontaneously within 2 weeks, although there may be a mild, persistent head tilt. Nursing care is important during recovery. Unfortunately, affected dogs are sometimes euthanized because of the severe signs and concerns that the patient has a brain tumor or stroke.
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism can cause vestibular dysfunction in dogs. Signs may develop suddenly or over time. Diagnosis is based on laboratory evaluation of thyroid function and response to thyroid supplementation. Vestibular dysfunction typically resolves within 2 months of treatment.
Toxicity:
Medications placed in the ear are the most common cause of vestibular toxicity; although some orally administered drugs can also be a problem, especially at high doses. Ear drops or other substances should never be placed in a dog's ear except on the specific recommendation of a veterinarian.
Cancer:
Tumors in the inner ear or brain can cause vestibular problems. Older animals are more commonly affected and there may be pain on opening the mouth. Diagnosis is based on x-rays, CT, MRI, and/or biopsy.
Encephalitis:
Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) can cause vestibular dysfunction. Causes include infections, such as distemper virus, and non-infectious causes. Diagnosis often requires analysis of spinal fluid. Some types of infection can be specifically treated with medications."
My old boy is in the hospital and will stay there for the next two days. He can hardly stand on his feet, turning on his side takes considerable effort and he's obviously in pain, yet he still finds the strength to push his face against mine and lick me.
You also did a good research, but just in case you'll find it useful, here are some snapshots from one of the vet books.
