ArcaMax

Q: Major, my 10-year-old mixed-breed dog, suddenly started staggering around in circles like he was drunk. His head tilted to one side, and he vomited and refused to eat.

I rushed him to his veterinarian, expecting to be told he was dying, but the vet diagnosed a disorder called old dog vestibular syndrome. She prescribed motion sickness medication and said Major would be fine soon.

Did I do something wrong? Please educate me about this frightening condition.

A: Old dog vestibular syndrome develops when the balance apparatus deep inside one of the dog's ears goes awry. While the cause is unknown, rest assured that you did nothing wrong. This condition is common in older dogs, and it resolves in a short time.

Clinical signs begin abruptly and include such poor balance that the dog may be unable to stand. Affected dogs may pace in circles, roll and have a head tilt.

If you look closely, you may see Major's eyeballs move rhythmically from side to side or in circles, a condition called nystagmus (nis-TAG'-mus).

In addition, dogs with vestibular syndrome often experience vomiting, drooling and loss of appetite.

With medication to control the dizziness and vomiting, most dogs feel better within a few days to a few weeks. In some dogs, a subtle head tilt remains, especially when they're tired.

Fortunately, the condition rarely recurs.

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Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. Contact her at https://askthevet.pet.

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