How to deal with dizziness in a dog. Ataxia in dogs

There is no doubt that a dog having a seizure is a terrible event that is very upsetting for the owner. But if you can recognize the symptoms of the onset of an attack, you will have time to take him to the vet. Of course, seizures in dogs are not always smooth sailing and can have serious health consequences. It is important to understand what a seizure is and what its causes are in order to avoid severe consequences.

Steps

What is a seizure

1. First you need to understand that a seizure occurs in several stages. Before a seizure, there is a disruption in electrical activity in the brain, and it takes time for this activity to normalize. The length of each phase depends on its severity. On average, the first stage lasts about 30 minutes, the seizure itself lasts approximately 3 minutes. It takes from 5 minutes to 5 hours to restore activity. There are three main stages:

   • The aura is the stage before the attack when changes in the animal's behavior can be noticed.
   • Seizure – the stage of a seizure.
   • During the post-seizure stage, the animal regains consciousness and activity in the brain is restored. During this stage, the animal may bump into objects and have difficulty seeing.

2. Learn to recognize the signs of an aura. Many animals that are often stressed after a seizure will often show certain signs that are a signal that the seizure may recur. Sometimes you realize that an animal is behaving in some strange way, but you need to be able to recognize exactly the signs that indicate the onset of a seizure.

   • Signs of the onset of the first stage - aura: restlessness, aimless walking, the dog cannot sit in one place.
   • It seems that the dog understands that something is wrong, but does not know how to correct the situation.
   • Some dogs start barking, howling and whining for no reason.
   • Dogs that are strongly attached to their owners may become especially affectionate during this period of time, as if they are trying to find shelter with their owners. Some animals try to hide.

3. You need to know the symptoms of the onset of the “aura” stage in order to be able to help your dog in time. If you see symptoms of an aura, you should immediately give your dog preventive medications, such as rectal diazepam. This helps minimize erratic brain activity, which can help reduce the likelihood of a seizure. It also helps buy time to get your pet to a safe place where he won't hurt himself during an attack.

   • Take the following precautions: turn off electrical heaters and cover heavy objects and sharp corners with cushions.

4. It is important to know when an attack may occur. During a seizure, the dog will fall on its side, stretch out its legs, arch its back, and widen its eyes. After a few seconds, she will begin to make “swimming” movements with her paws. During a seizure, you may find all or only some of the following:

   • Chomping sounds from the mouth. The dog loses conscious control of its body and random electrical impulses in the brain stimulate the chewing muscles.
   • The tongue falls out of the mouth.
   • Excessive salivation: The dog is unable to swallow, so saliva begins to come out of the mouth.
   • Swimming movements with paws: Disturbances in the activity of electrical impulses affect the muscles of the limbs, which begin to contract uncoordinatedly.
   • Loss of urinary and bowel control: This is facilitated by loss of muscle tone and increased pressure in the abdominal cavity.
   • Shaking: Muscle twitching is caused by unstable nerve impulses in the brain.

5. Understand that during an attack the dog will be very confused and scared, he will not understand what is happening to his body. During an attack, the higher centers of consciousness are blocked because the brain is filled with “random” electrical impulses.

   • It is unlikely that the dog will respond to its name or to any other urges. The dog will not be able to see and hear normally, because the centers of hearing and vision will be blocked for some time.

6. Keep track of how long the attack lasts. If the attack lasts longer than 20 minutes, contact your veterinarian immediately to avoid brain damage. This condition is called an “epileptic seizure”; it cannot be dealt with without the help of a veterinarian, otherwise there is a risk of damage to the animal’s brain.

   • Keep in mind that the average duration of an attack is about 2-3 minutes. Seizures usually don't last very long, but your anxiety may make it feel like your seizure has been going on for quite some time.
   • Seizures lasting 5-10 minutes occur much less frequently.

7. You need to understand whether the dog has entered the next phase, which occurs immediately after the attack itself. After some time, the attack will end, the pet will seem confused and will stagger. He will wander aimlessly back and forth, crashing into walls and passages.

   • This phase lasts about 5 minutes, although sometimes it lasts even several hours.
   • Seizures usually do not cause any permanent damage; disorientation and blindness are temporary.
   • Sometimes after an attack the dog looks very hungry and begins to actively search for food.

   Events that mimic a seizure

   1. Not all similar conditions are seizures. What appears to be a seizure at first glance may not actually be one. Some conditions that are often mistaken for seizures are:

      • Due to a weak cardiovascular system, the heart cannot maintain blood circulation in the brain, so as a result of lack of oxygen, the pet loses consciousness.
      • Due to neurological disorders, the vagus nerve is overstimulated, blood pressure drops, resulting in fainting.
      • Pain reactions: an exaggerated behavioral response that mimics an attack.

   2. You need to know that the dog has a weak cardiovascular system. After all, its consequences can be confused with a seizure. The consequences of a weak cardiovascular system are manifested in a lack of oxygen in the brain, which leads to loss of consciousness. The most common cause of such fainting is an irregular heartbeat.

      • Some dogs show no obvious symptoms, while others may cough, pant, or be reluctant to move.
      • Key differences between fainting and a seizure:
        • Before fainting, the animal shows no signs of the "aura" phase. The loss of oxygen and drop in blood pressure occurs almost instantly.
        • During fainting, the animal's muscles are relaxed.
        • There is no involuntary urination or defecation. The dog is in a relaxed state and not in a state of increased muscle activity.
        • There is no slurping sound or salivation. Fainting usually does not last long enough for salivation to begin.
        • On average, fainting lasts about 30-40 seconds, and a seizure lasts about 2-3 minutes.
        • After fainting, the animal behaves as usual, as if nothing had happened. Once circulation is restored, the dog feels normal again.

   3. The cause of fainting is neurological problems. The longest nerve in the body (the vagus nerve) runs along the neck. When pressure is applied to this nerve, the heart rate slows down. If the heart beats irregularly, blood flow to the brain is reduced and the dog may faint.

      • The same thing can happen if your dog coughs a lot and tenses his chest or stomach. The differences between fainting and seizure are listed above.

Sometimes it happens that we are unable to help our sick pets. One of the incurable diseases in dogs is ataxia, translated from Greek as “disorder.” This is a motor disorder, which is manifested by a violation of the coordination and consistency of the animal’s movements. Symptoms of the disease first become noticeable when the dog is 3 to 5 years old.

The essence of the disease

Rarely, the disorder appears between one and a half to three years of age or after the age of five. Initially, the owners notice an episodic loss of balance in the pet when changing body position. As the disease progresses, the symptoms increase: the dog’s gait becomes unsteady, “drunk,” it does not seem to notice obstacles, and may fall when turning or making sudden movements.

How it arises and is transmitted

Ataxia in dogs can be inherited, and only if both parents of the puppy are either carriers of the damaged gene or are already sick. The disorder can also occur due to a number of diseases that damage:

• cerebellum;
• vestibular apparatus;
• a system of nerve fibers that conduct impulses from the brain or spinal cord to the motor organ.

The following dog breeds are more susceptible to ataxia than others:

• bobtail;
• Scottish Terrier;
• amstaff;
• Scottish Setter;
• cocker;
• Mountain Dog;
• Australian Kelpie;
• Border Collie.

Breeders who breed these breeds perform a genetic test on their pets to identify carriers of the gene even before clinical signs of the disease appear. Such dogs are excluded from breeding, which avoids the spread of the defect.

Types of disease

Regardless of the type of disorder, the symptoms of ataxia are manifested by an awkward gait, the inability to overcome an obstacle or climb stairs, trembling, and increased tone of the paws. The gait becomes similar to a rooster's step - with the forelimbs raised high. There is a constant tilt to one side, dizziness due to sudden and frequent shaking of the head. Nystagmus is periodically observed - a short pendulum movement of the eyes from side to side.

As the disease progresses, the animal loses weight due to difficulty feeding.

In clinical practice, there are three types of ataxia:

• cerebellar;
• sensitive;
• vestibular.

The cerebellum is a part of the brain that is responsible for the position of the body in space, coordination of movements and balance in various external conditions. With cerebellar ataxia in dogs, there are no structural changes in this organ. Its biochemical composition changes due to the loss of some Purkinje cells. These cells are a kind of dispatchers, transmitters of information into the cerebellum, to or from the white matter, to the outer layer.

Cerebellar ataxia in dogs has two types – static and dynamic. In the first case, it is difficult for the animal to stay in a motionless position. The dog has difficulty standing on widely spaced paws. Trying to maintain balance, he may fall on his side or forward. With dynamic cerebellar ataxia, discoordination manifests itself during movement, especially when turning.

Sensitive ataxia is less common. It can be differentiated from other types by increased symptoms when closing the eyes. In this case, the dog’s perception of its body in space – proprioception – is disrupted.

Depending on the area of ​​damage to the nerve impulse pathways, only the pelvic limbs or all four legs may be affected.

Vestibular ataxia occurs when the labyrinth, which perceives changes in the head and body in space, as well as the direction of movement, is damaged. The dog seems to be on an inclined surface. The animal tries in vain to maintain balance. With this type of disorder, the dog's body is tilted to one side, movements are slow and cautious. Deterioration and loss of hearing, drowsiness, and numbness are observed. The pet moves in circles, which causes dizziness and vomiting.

Diagnosis and treatment

There are no specific tests or diagnostic methods to detect ataxia. The diagnosis is made after a series of examinations and the exclusion of other, less serious diseases with similar symptoms. The most informative will be a magnetic resonance or computed tomography scan. In the absence of the necessary equipment, they are limited to radiography.

In the case of hereditary ataxia, a DNA test is performed for diagnostic purposes. A complete genetic treatment for a disease of this nature has not been developed. Over time, a sick dog becomes practically incapacitated. The veterinarian prescribes maintenance therapy to alleviate the condition and maintain normal living conditions for the pet. Most often this is symptomatic therapy in the form of sedatives, sedatives and vitamins.

It is important to create the most comfortable living conditions for a sick dog, because it will no longer be able to cope without the participation and care of its owner. It is better to provide your pet with a separate room without traumatic objects, sharp corners and interior items.

If the disease arose for another reason, then treatment of ataxia in dogs is aimed primarily at eliminating it.

The animal body is able to partially compensate for existing disorders. When one part of the brain is damaged, another area of ​​the brain takes over a share of its functions. In addition, dogs are taught to control the strength, speed and range of movements using their visual abilities. In this regard, manifestations of the disorder are noticeable only when the animal is tired or excited.

These body abilities can not only prolong the dog’s life, but also make it close to normal, despite the disorder.

Causes

In addition to the hereditary factor, the disease may have other underlying causes.

For cerebellar ataxia:

• neoplasms or cysts in the cerebellum;
• intoxication;
• autoimmune diseases.

For vestibular ataxia:

• otitis media of an infectious or fungal nature;
• neoplasms of the middle ear;
• injuries in the temporal region;
• hypokalemia;
• stroke. For sensitive ataxia:

For sensitive ataxia:

• tumors;
• injuries;
• pathologies of spinal development;
• acute vascular and compression disorders;
• infections.

If a tumor is detected, further treatment includes, first of all, surgery.

For infectious diseases, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

Intoxication occurs not only due to poisoning by certain poisons, but also due to infection of the dog with worms that release toxins into the animal’s blood. In this case, treatment is carried out with anthelmintic drugs. Folk remedies will no longer help in such serious cases.

For cerebral lesions, nootropics, vasodilators, B vitamins, and nicotinic acid are prescribed to improve cerebral circulation.

Ataxia may result from an autoimmune disease. A healthy immune system identifies and destroys pathogens. But if there is a malfunction in the mechanism of its action, the tissues of the body’s own, including nerves, become the target of immune cells. Then a lack of coordination of movements develops.

If ataxia occurs as a result of trauma, the brain or spinal cord, spine, or nerve impulse pathways may be affected. One of the types of disorder occurs - cerebellar, vestibular or sensitive type. Appropriate treatment is carried out after examination, establishing the cause and making an accurate diagnosis.

Ataxia in puppies

Although most cases of congenital ataxia develop in dogs during adulthood, there are occasional abnormalities that are noticeable from birth. Problems with the musculoskeletal system and coordination problems are clearly expressed.

The puppies try to move their paws, but cannot walk. There is a shaking of the head and twitching of the eyes. Otherwise, babies develop normally - they are active, inquisitive, and have a good appetite. But such dogs will never be able to move.

To avoid acquiring a carrier or a sick puppy, you must first take into account the breed's genetic predisposition to ataxia. Secondly, it is better to purchase a small pet from a trusted nursery with a good reputation. A responsible breeder will not allow a sick dog to breed, and if there is concern, he will conduct a DNA test on individuals intended for mating.

Neurological disorders in pets are also a “headache”. In all cases, such phenomena indicate serious functional disorders in their body, but the problem is that the cat or dog cannot tell the owner about the reasons for what is happening. Many of these pathologies are combined under the term “ataxia.” In dogs, similar signs develop (as a rule) with damage to the nervous system.

What is ataxia anyway? This is not a separate disease. This is a spectrum of symptoms: sudden loss of coordination, balance, trembling, the animal may fall for no reason. There are three types of ataxia - vestibular, sensitive (proprioceptive), cerebellar ataxia (in dogs it is the most severe). Each type has its own specific clinical manifestations and causes.

Sensitive ataxia develops in cases where the Gaulle and Burdach bundles are affected, and also, as is believed, the spinal cord. A typical sign is a sharp deterioration in walking, and the dog constantly looks at his feet while moving. If the lesions of the cords are serious, the dog is completely unable to sit and stand.

The vestibular apparatus helps the animal maintain balance and position in space. If it is affected, ataxia of the same name develops. The dog cannot hold its head up normally, it constantly tilts when walking, is very unstable, and sometimes spins in one place. “Uncoordinated” eye movements, constant drowsiness, and numbness are very characteristic.

Important! Sensitive and vestibular ataxia do not affect behavioral aspects in any way. Simply put, the dog’s behavior (up to certain limits) remains normal, with no signs of “mental” abnormalities. This helps to differentiate these pathologies from dangerous infectious diseases.

For now, we will discuss cerebellar ataxia, since this pathology is the most severe and is less responsive to treatment attempts than others.

The cerebellum is the area of ​​the brain that controls coordination and movement. When this area is damaged, it leads to loss of coordination, balance, and loss of motor control. In some cases, this also leads to a violation of spatial orientation; the sick animal does not recognize the place and owners.

Read also: Caries in dogs: causes, prevention and treatment

Damage to the cerebellum can be caused by a brain tumor or infection, but it is usually caused by birth defects that cause normal neurons to die (hereditary cerebellar ataxia). Such diseases are inherited through a recessive gene. This means that for pathology to manifest itself, it must be present in both parents. Therefore, hereditary cerebellar ataxia is still quite rare, since conscientious breeders struggle with inherited diseases, and such dogs are not allowed to breed.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cerebellar ataxia progress over several years or months (which is less common). As a rule, up to two years the clinical picture does not develop at all. The most common symptoms of ataxia in dogs are:

• Trembling, nervousness, the pet may be inadequate.

• When walking, she behaves extremely strangely and unusually. For example, he takes incredibly long steps, freezing after each of them for a second and a half.

• Loss of coordination (first symptoms).

• Panic attacks. The animal is confused, excited, trying to hide somewhere.

• From time to time the dog falls while walking.

• Progressive weakness.

• Sometimes the dog begins to quickly rotate its head, and erratic, circular movements of the eyeballs are also observed.

The clinical picture also includes:

• Constant head tilt.

• Hearing impairment.

• Lethargy.

• Sharp.

• Other changes in behavior.

Diagnostics and therapeutic techniques

If you suspect your pet is suffering from cerebellar ataxia, contact your veterinarian immediately. The fact is that today there is not a single specific analysis or diagnostic method that would make it possible to unambiguously identify cerebellar ataxia (or another type) in a dog. The diagnosis is made based on the combination of the clinical picture, a complete examination and a whole range of tests.

Be sure to take a urine test. MRI is very useful, but not every city has the opportunity to do it. So sometimes they limit themselves to simple radiography. Other tests may be ordered depending on what your veterinarian finds during initial testing.

Read also: Laryngitis in dogs - symptoms, treatment and prevention

Treatment for ataxia in dogs will depend on the cause. If an infection or tumor is found, powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered or surgery is used accordingly. However, there is no cure for ataxia caused by a congenital or hereditary defect. In these cases, supportive treatment is the only way out, and it is aimed at maintaining the animal’s normal standard of living.

As a rule, with such therapy, sedatives and sedatives are prescribed. They relieve the animal's panic state. To treat movement disorders, more specific medications are used, which should only be prescribed by a veterinarian. Under no circumstances “stuff” the animal with them yourself, as you can only make things worse.

Animals suffering from cerebellar ataxia must be kept at home. In the room where the dog will be most of the time, there should be no sharp corners, foreign objects or furniture, as the pet’s condition will inevitably (alas) worsen. In this case, the dog will inevitably start to bump into furniture and corners, which can lead to an even worsening of the process, and you shouldn’t forget about the likelihood of “simple” injuries.

Some pets with congenital or hereditary ataxia live with this pathology all their lives, and it does not particularly bother them (the body adapts to this condition to some extent). Alas, in other cases the constant progression of the disease can cause euthanasia, since it is difficult for a dog to live in a vegetable state. If the dog cannot even stand up, or falls every step, there is nothing immoral in euthanasia.

Causes of other types of ataxia

They may be different. As you remember, vestibular and sensory ataxia develop against the background of damage to the vestibular apparatus, or nerve cords. The first reason that comes to mind in these cases is oncology. If the tumor damages these important organs, many unpleasant symptoms will develop, which we have already discussed above.

Ataxia in dogs is not always automatically a death sentence. With superficial lesions, the animal only needs emergency measures, and thinking about euthanasia is too hasty. This is confirmed by the long-term life of a significant percentage of dogs surrounded by the necessary care.

Ataxia is a neurological disorder of a congenital or acquired nature, which is manifested by lack of coordination in the movements of an animal. At the same time, muscle strength is often preserved in the limbs, and any involuntary movements, paresis or excessive spasticity may be absent. The animal's consciousness often does not change.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Ataxia is not considered as a separate disease, because it is a symptom complex of one or another lesion of the central nervous system or vestibular apparatus of the dog. Often it is a genetic defect or occurs as a result of specific underlying causes.

Types of ataxia

Depending on the location of the lesion, ataxia exists in three forms: general proprioceptive (sensitive), vestibular and cerebellar ataxia in dogs - the cerebellar form.

Cerebellar

Cerebellar ataxia in dogs can have a sudden onset or a chronic course, be congenital or occur for a number of reasons, progress or remain stable.

As the main coordinator of movements and balance regulator, the cerebellum also controls the animal’s muscle strength and ensures the rhythm and balance of these movements. Because of this, the affected cerebellar hemispheres lead to dynamic ataxia of the limbs, and dysfunction of the cerebellar vermis results in the dog’s inability to maintain body balance and maintain a certain posture (static subtype).

Congenital pathology is caused by autosomal recessive inheritance. The dog receives from each parent 2 defective copies of the mutated gene, affected by ataxia. In this case, the pathology is considered as an isolated disease. The congenital form may not progress throughout the dog’s life.

Acquired cerebellar ataxia in some cases develops as a result of the following pathologies:

• tumors in the brain;
• falling from a height;
• autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus);
• brain infections and severe inflammation;
• collision with a car;
• anomalies in the development of cerebellar structures and the structure of the skull;
• degenerative processes in cerebellar cells;
• metronidazole intoxication;
• acute thiamine deficiency;
• ischemic infarction in older dogs;
• helminthic intoxication.

In most cases, characteristic signs of the disease begin to appear after 3 or even 5 years.

Ataxia is manifested by the dog's awkwardness, which is unusual for the owner, and a gait with widely spaced paws, which is initially most noticeable after the animal has woken up and is trying to get up. After a certain time, strange swaying of the body and a clear inability to maintain balance become more and more obvious.

Male dogs begin to lose balance when urinating. The dog moves either too fast with goose steps, or, on the contrary, slow, taking too wide a step. Freezes unpredictably from time to time. When driving in a straight line it goes almost exactly, but gets very lost when turning.

Muscle tremors are present both when the dog tries to maintain a specific position (postural) and when moving (dynamic). There is no threat reflex: the animal does not reflexively close its eyelids when hands or objects approach the eyes, and over time, nystagmus develops - frequent involuntary rotations of the eyes. The pupils of the left and right eyes are of different sizes - anisocoria. Hypertonicity of the forelimbs and occipital muscles manifests itself in paroxysms. The dog often throws its head back.

The progressive form leads to stable weight loss, because it becomes increasingly difficult for the dog to eat. She often hits her face on the food in her bowl. In especially severe cases, the animal ceases to recognize the owner and long-familiar, familiar places. Quite often, owners mistake the clinical manifestations of the disease for a stroke or epilepsy.

Hereditary cerebellar ataxia particularly affects Staffordshire terriers, American and English cocker spaniels, Kerry blue terriers, hairless Chinese crested dogs, Scottish terriers and shepherd dogs.

Sensitive

Sensitive (proprioceptive) ataxia develops in animals in the case of a number of spinal cord pathologies. Often these are damages in the systems of ascending SC fibers that lead to the cerebral cortex, which are responsible for awareness of the position of the body in space. In medicine, these systems are called Gaulle and Burdach bundles. And the second root cause is compression (compression) of the spinal cord due to narrowing of the spinal canal, all kinds of injuries, arterial blockages, cysts, tumors, intervertebral hernias, infections and degenerative processes in the spinal tissues.

The dog's gait suddenly becomes "strange." While walking, the animal often looks down carefully and takes very careful steps, as if it is afraid to step on something. The most basic typical sign of this form of the disease is volar flexion - when moving, the dog does not fully raise its paws, but seems to “drag” its toes along the floor or on the ground.

The animal looks confused and cannot determine the correct direction of movement for a long time. At the same time, the rest of the dog’s behavior is completely adequate. Severe lesions lead to complete inability to move.

Vestibular

A sluggish, unsteady gait, staggering and periodic “throwing” to the side, which are accompanied by a tilt of the dog’s head to the left or right, are signs of vestibular ataxia. Along with this, spontaneous strabismus and nystagmus are often observed, regardless of head movements. One-sided or bilateral deafness cannot be ruled out. During an examination at the clinic, specialists may detect facial paralysis and Horner's syndrome - pathological constriction of the pupil and drooping of the upper eyelid.

The vestibular system controls muscles that are directly involved in maintaining head position, eye movements, and overall balance. And all incoming information from the outside is used to appropriately coordinate and regulate the movements performed.

The central structures of the vestibular apparatus are located in the brain, and the peripheral structures are located in the inner and middle ear. Damage to these structures in one area or another causes vestibular ataxia. In particular, these are the following pathologies:

• congenital vestibular syndrome;
• hypothyroidism;
• polyneuropathy;
• internal and otitis media;
• fungal infections;
• tumors in the ear or brain;
• ototoxic antibiotics;
• nerve degeneration.

Symptoms

Regardless of the location of the initial lesion, some manifestations of ataxia are common to all three forms:

• incoordination of movements, which is manifested by staggering, uncertain, careful walking, stumbling, squatting when turning, or rolling onto one side;
• it is extremely difficult or even impossible for a dog to climb stairs or jump even on a low surface (for example, on a sofa);
• during walks the animal does not show activity towards other dogs;
• muscle tremors are noticeable at rest or during movement;
• appetite is significantly reduced;
• Nystagmus periodically appears: rapid movements of the eyeballs to the sides or up and down.

Each dog has its own quantitative and qualitative symptoms. The intensity of manifestations is always individual. And if one animal has all the symptoms “on the list,” another dog may have only one sign (balance problems), and the diagnosis for both dogs will be the same. In addition, in some cases there is a mixture of symptoms of cerebellar and sensory ataxia, as well as cerebellar and vestibular. This suggests that the animal has a mixed form of the disease.

Signs of ataxia in puppies

Mostly, the pathology affects already mature dogs. But in a situation of congenital pathogenesis, ataxia in a puppy manifests itself quite clearly already at the 4th or 5th week. As a rule, the root cause is hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the cerebellum.

The puppies shake their heads, rise to their paws with great difficulty, and fall on their sides after only 2-3 steps. Nystagmus is possible. In all other respects, the behavior of babies is no different from healthy puppies: they are very active, curious and have a good appetite.

Similar symptoms of cerebellar ataxia can be observed in a puppy against the background of infestation with large helminths.

Diagnostics

Based on a number of visual manifestations, detailed complaints from the owner and specific tests, a specialist can easily determine ataxia and its form. But in order to find out the root cause of the pathology, it is necessary to donate blood and undergo an MRI - an extremely informative diagnostic option for suspected ataxia. If the clinic does not have such equipment, use an x-ray.

The symptoms of vestibular ataxia are quite striking. In this case, an additional otoscopy (detailed examination of the ear) is performed, and a CT scan or ultrasound is required if there is no way to undergo an MRI.

There are known cases of hereditary cerebellar ataxia, when by all indicators the results are normal, but the animal dies, and the diagnosis is clearly confirmed after an autopsy.

Treatment of ataxia in dogs

The treatment regimen is determined by the root cause of ataxia. The most favorable prognosis is for the vestibular and sensitive forms. In this case, it is enough to eliminate the tumor, inflammation or symptoms of intoxication for the recovery process to begin. Whether recovery is complete or only partial depends on the severity of the original lesion. Some irreversible processes often leave residual neurological signs, which still allow the dog to live more or less fully for several more years.

The cerebellar form is the most severe case. Genetic etiology, unfortunately, cannot be treated. But if the disease does not progress, the dog lives a fairly tolerable life, adapting to its “shortcomings.” At the same time, acute cerebellar ataxia, provoked by an ischemic infarction, often allows the animal to fully recover after timely treatment.

To one degree or another, a dog’s life is made easier by sedatives, multivitamin complexes, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and painkillers. Each product and its dosage must be prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian. Any experiments on the part of the owner can result in irreversible consequences.

These are diseases of the nervous system that affect the brain and spinal cord, as well as peripheral nerves. In addition to impaired coordination, such diseases are characterized by epileptic seizures, loss of sensation, paralysis, rapidly progressive weakness and changes in muscle tone.

One of the most dangerous diseases is considered to be rabies, caused by a virus transmitted, most often, by a sick animal - a raccoon, fox, bat or other. The first symptom is a change in behavior, high fever, and vomiting, photophobia and hydrophobia. Already at the first stage of the disease, there is a lack of coordination of movements.

You can observe the same symptom in the case of tick paralysis, when the animal is poisoned by toxins released by female forest ticks during a bite. Changes begin with a lack of coordination of movements, followed by weakness and paralysis, loss of the ability to breathe and death of the animal. Distemper, a viral infection that affects the nervous system and also causes loss of coordination of movements, can also result in paralysis.

This symptom may be due to one of the many types of encephalitis, as well as tetanus. Like others, these nervous system diseases can be fatal for your pet. Therefore, at the first signs, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Other causes of poor coordination

The cause of such disturbances may be acute shock, as a result of which the dog may also lose the ability to move - sitting on its hind legs, it will not be able to stand up. In some cases, shock may be accompanied by fainting or syncope. After some time, the dog regains consciousness and does not feel any consequences, but sometimes it may require medical attention.

Often the dog loses coordination when the nervous system and its tissues are affected by tumors, which often happens in aging animals. The nervous system can be affected not by the tumors themselves, but by developed metastases. How the animal behaves largely depends on where exactly the tumor is located, but loss of coordination clearly indicates that the nervous system is affected. Sometimes loss of coordination is explained by damage to the cerebellum or a mini-stroke. In any case, this is always a cause for concern.