Vestibular disease
Elderly dogs are susceptible to an unusual form of intense vertigo, known as old dog vestibular disease, the cause of which is unknown, or idiopathic. Signs include nausea, difficulty or the complete inability to stand, head tilt, circling, and nystagmus (the movement of the eyes in a repetitive jerking motion, usually horizontal). The signs may improve rapidly or take a few days. While most cases are idiopathic, vestibular signs can also be caused by inner ear disease, a brain tumor, or rarely a stroke. The major risk of idiopathic cases is that the dog is often unable to eat, drink, or go outside to urinate or defecate. These cases must receive supportive therapy of intravenous fluids and nutrition; a light sedative is sometimes administered, as the dog may be very stressed by the experience. [x]
i never think of my dog as an old dog, but the fact is, she is. i just hope it’s this and not something more sinister.
