Basically, it can affect any dog, but especially older dogs are affected by vestibular syndrome. From one moment to the next – usually overnight, they can no longer keep their balance and suffer from severe movement disorders, the position reflex is delayed, they often hold their head crooked, sometimes also their body. Affected dogs appear drunk and run in circles. So-called nystagmus and also strabismus occur. The dogs are nauseous, often refuse food and suffer from vomiting. Putting dog to sleep vestibular syndrome
But how does vestibular syndrome occur? Putting dog to sleep vestibular syndrome
It is a disorder of the organ of equilibrium, as a result of which the dog loses its balance and can no longer keep on its feet. It feels to him like he is sitting in a merry-go-round and he has lost all sense of his body’s position in space. The cause of the disorder of the organ of equilibrium is still not fully understood. Putting dog to sleep vestibular syndrome
Extra knowledge: Cats, guinea pigs and rabbits can also be affected.
It is important to know that vestibular syndrome in dogs has nothing to do with a stroke, even though it is sometimes even referred to as such by veterinarians. These are two different clinical pictures. In stroke, the dog’s brain is affected; in vestibular syndrome, the vestibular organ is affected. Detailed information about symptoms, diagnostics, etc. can be found here.
Do dogs with vestibular syndrome need to be euthanized?
Quite clearly NO! It still happens far too often that affected dogs are euthanized. There is no reason for this – not even that the dog is already older!
I can’t say it often enough, but it usually just takes a little patience. Already within the first 48 hours the first improvements appear. Part of this is that the movement disorders become less. The dizziness, vomiting and nystagmus also subside. Even if a dog is older, it can fully recover from vestibular syndrome in a short period of time. Some dogs may be left with a slight head tilt and mild coordination problems.
So please don’t rush to put your dog down and give him time to recover.
How can vestibular syndrome be treated? Putting dog to sleep vestibular syndrome
The most important thing for your dog is calmness and that you keep calm. Supportive medication against nausea and vomiting makes sense. The administration of drugs that promote blood circulation has proved very effective. Infusion therapy can also be a good support. For the most part, dogs recover best in their familiar surroundings. There are many things you can do here to support your dog’s recovery and also make his daily life easier in this disease situation.
It’s perfectly clear that you’re excited and possibly overwhelmed in this situation. Here I would like to support you and take away your fear and give you measures how you can promote the recovery of your dog. How you can support your dog at home, you will learn in this article: How to support your dog after vestibular syndrome. Putting dog to sleep vestibular syndrome
Measures for mobilization, which is the second important building block in recovery, I have summarized for you in this article:
Here’s how to mobilize your dog after vestibular syndrome.
It is very important to me that you can support your dog in this acute situation in the best possible way and that you feel safe. This also gives your dog security and supports his recovery. Putting dog to sleep vestibular syndrome
All the love, Tina
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