The dog has poor coordination of movement. Identifying symptoms and treatments for ataxia in dogs. Diagnosis and treatment

A sudden loss of coordination of movements is explained by a disease of the balance organs and is called “vestibular syndrome of dogs (or cats).” The symptoms can look frightening: an apparently healthy animal suddenly cannot rise to its feet, falls, flounders, and looks frightened. Salivation, vomiting, and rapid breathing may also be evident. The head is tilted to the side, the muzzle is asymmetrical. The first thing that comes to mind in such cases is that of an animal. But stroke is perhaps the rarest cause of these symptoms. Most often, such manifestations are caused by disruption of the balance organs located outside the brain - the so-called peripheral vestibular syndrome.

The causes of peripheral vestibular syndrome are as follows:

- Inflammation of the middle and inner ear (otitis media) is the most common cause of peripheral vestibular syndrome. The organ of balance - the labyrinth of the cochlea - is inextricably linked with the organ of hearing. Inflammation during otitis media can spread to the cochlear labyrinth and cause disruption of its functioning. In this case, treatment should include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Dealing with this disease can take a lot of time and effort. Symptoms of vestibular disorder disappear in 10-14 days. When treating otitis media, the use of ototoxic drugs such as chlorhexidine and aminoglycoside antibiotics should be avoided.

Neoplasms (tumors, polyps, cysts) of the inner ear, eustachian tube, eardrum. To diagnose these formations, conventional examination and otoscopy are not enough, but additional visual diagnostic methods and cytological analysis are required. The most effective method of treating tumors is surgery.

Idiopathic vestibular syndrome is the second most common cause of balance problems. In cats, this disease occurs most often during the summer months. Cats of all ages are affected. Dogs get sick more often at older ages and regardless of the time of year. 72 hours after the onset of symptoms, a significant improvement occurs - nystagmus (rhythmic movements of the eyeballs) and nausea almost disappear, appetite and the ability to walk appear. After 7 days the animal can move normally. The head tilt can persist for a longer time - up to 2 months. No specific treatment has been developed. Recovery occurs without treatment, but recurrence of the disease is possible.

Use of ototoxic drugs (aminoglycoside antibiotics, chlorhexidine, metronidazole)

Congenital anomalies in the development of the organ of hearing and balance have been described in such breeds as: and in some others. Congenital disorders appear from birth or at 3-4 weeks of age. Some animals live with this disorder their entire lives. In some cases, spontaneous recovery occurs by 3-4 months of age. No treatment has been developed.

Temporal bone injury.

Let us remember that above we discussed diseases that do not affect the brain. This is the most common cause of sudden loss of coordination in pets. Less commonly, vestibular disorders are a consequence of diseases affecting the brain. Symptoms of imbalance that occur when these structures are affected are called central vestibular syndrome.

The causes of central vestibular disorders are the following diseases:

Infectious diseases of the brain: canine distemper, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis.

Inflammatory diseases of the nervous system: granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis, necrotizing meningoencephalomyelitis.

Brain tumors – meningiomas, lymphomas.

Vascular diseases of the brain: ischemic, hemorrhagic stroke as a result of hypertension, hormonal disorders, sepsis, bleeding disorders, thrombosis of cerebral vessels.

The prognosis for these diseases is more cautious than for peripheral disorders. As a rule, in addition to symptoms of imbalance, the animal also exhibits other neurological disorders, as well as symptoms of damage to other organs and systems.

Symptoms of peripheral and central vestibular syndrome are listed in the table:

In each case of impaired coordination of movements, doctors need the most complete information about the animal. Therefore, when faced with cases of imbalance in animals, specialists at the Zoovet center conduct a particularly thorough examination. Depending on what disease the symptoms and course of vestibular disorders indicate, a diagnostic and treatment plan is drawn up. In some cases, diagnosis may be limited to a routine examination of the animal, examination of the ears, general and clinical blood tests, and this will be sufficient to establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. In more complex cases, advanced diagnostics may be needed - tests for viral and bacterial infections, tests for thyroid and adrenal hormones, x-rays, ultrasound of internal organs, computed tomography of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Loss of coordination in a dog, or peripheral vestibular syndrome, is a rather alarming problem that can frighten even an experienced breeder. Very often, for no apparent reason, the dog loses coordination, cannot hold its head straight and cannot even walk. All this is often accompanied by profuse salivation, vomiting, rapid breathing and heartbeat, and twitching of the limbs.

If a dog sways from side to side when walking, falls and does not control its movements, then this can be for several main reasons. Quite often the problem is inflammation of the inner and middle ear or a congenital abnormality of the hearing organs. In adult dogs, idiopathic vestibular syndrome is also common, which lasts about three days and goes away on its own. In addition, a sudden loss of coordination of movement in dogs can be a consequence of diseases such as:

Tumor in the inner ear.

Treatment of impaired motor coordination in dogs.

If you are faced with a similar problem, but do not know why the dog is unsteady, you should immediately contact a veterinarian for a full examination. Identifying the cause is critical and may require a range of diagnostic procedures, ranging from ultrasound and x-rays to, in some cases, a CT scan of the brain.

Further treatment is based on the established diagnosis and involves drug elimination of the causes. Unfortunately, in some situations, surgery may be required to solve problems, so if you notice a lack of coordination in your dog, prompt action is very important and will help alleviate the animal’s suffering.

Every person at least once in his life asked himself the question: “Why do people and animals walk upright and don’t fall?” The vestibular apparatus, which is a whole complex of structures united into a single system, is responsible for maintaining posture and orientation of the body in space relative to the horizontal.

A sudden imbalance causes vestibular syndrome, a neurological phenomenon often diagnosed in pets.

Causes of the disease

Conventionally, vestibular syndrome is usually divided into peripheral and central - depending on which part is affected.

Also, this neurological phenomenon can be:

metabolic;
neoplastic;
inflammatory;
traumatic;
toxic;
idiopathic.

Accordingly, treatment will depend on the causes of vestibular syndrome.

The peripheral form is diagnosed quite rarely and occurs due to damage to the nervous system affecting the inner ear. The more common form is the central one, which is much more difficult. This is explained by the fact that not only the vestibular apparatus is affected, but also other systems of the body, so many pathologies are fraught with death.

The causes of vestibular syndrome include:

inflammation in the inner and middle ear;
abuse of ear cleaners;
consequences of brain injuries;
polyps, tumors;
hormonal imbalances;
meningoencephalitis;
chaotic use of certain medications, in particular antibiotics.

Sometimes vestibular syndrome can be congenital or age-related - it is in such cases that we can talk about the idiopathic nature of the pathology, that is, when it occurs for no apparent reason.

Which breeds are more susceptible

Vestibular syndrome can be diagnosed in any dog, regardless of gender, age and breed. Thus, pathology is observed both in 3-month-old puppies and in elderly individuals. But still, a predisposition of representatives of some breeds does occur.

According to statistics, the syndrome is most often recorded in German shepherds, Tibetan terriers, cocker spaniels, beagles, Dobermans, and fox terriers.

Main symptoms

The clinical picture of vestibular syndrome, often mistaken for a stroke, is quite extensive. The main sign to suspect pathology is loss of coordination in space. The dog begins to experience difficulty moving, walking with its head tilted, stumbling out of the blue, falling and spinning on the floor.

Another characteristic symptom is the occurrence of vertical nystagmus (eye twitching). In addition, the animal experiences salivation, uncontrollable vomiting, and dizziness.

In severe cases of the disease, the dog stops eating and begins to walk on its own. In such cases, the question of euthanasia is raised as the most humane option.

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor, in addition to studying the medical history of the disease, needs to conduct the necessary diagnostic tests. These include:

general and biochemical blood test;
Analysis of urine;
X-ray (to examine the middle and inner ear and assess their condition);
MRI, CT (to determine possible structural changes in the brain);
examination of scrapings from an animal's ear;
a series of tests that determine the reaction of the nervous system to stimuli;
collection of cerebrospinal fluid (to detect the virus in the body);
Ultrasound of internal organs.

The veterinarian must rule out pathologies such as inflammation of the inner and middle ear, nasopharyngeal polyps, as well as the use of certain medications (aminoglycosides) that have serious side effects.

Treatment method and prognosis

Treatment of vestibular syndrome is not possible in all cases. So, if we are talking about the idiopathic nature of the pathology (congenital or acquired with age), medications are prescribed to alleviate the animal’s condition.

Pathology caused by an inflammatory infectious process is treated with antibiotics (broad-spectrum). When treating otitis, it is prohibited to use ototoxic drugs belonging to the group of aminoglycosides (antibiotics, chlorhexidine).

Vestibular syndrome caused by oncology can only be eliminated by surgery and chemotherapy. For hypothyroidism and other hormonal disorders, it is advisable to use replacement therapy.

With timely treatment, the dog’s condition stabilizes within three days. After 1-2 weeks, a decrease in ataxia and head tilt can be observed; after 3-4 weeks, recovery occurs. At this stage, physical therapy is prescribed. However, it would be incorrect to talk about a final cure.

As for prognosis, a positive one is only possible if the syndrome was diagnosed in a small puppy - there is hope that its vestibular apparatus will adapt to the environment, and the baby will be able to live a full life. In other cases, this is especially true for cancer patients, residual effects cause the animal to suffer for the rest of its life.

What to do at home

Many owners have a question: “How to help a dog at home?” The answer is clear: strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and do not self-medicate, as it can lead to irreversible consequences. The maximum that can be done is to create a comfortable environment for the dog, provide it with good care and quality feeding.

As the disease progresses and the dog becomes completely helpless, the owner must be prepared for the fact that he will have to care for the pet, remove feces in a timely manner, and perform anti-bedsore massage.

Possible complications

The consequences of vestibular syndrome, even with timely treatment, can be very serious. A dog can simply turn into a “vegetable”. The central form of pathology is especially dangerous in this regard, since the factors that provoke its development have a detrimental effect on the central nervous system.

Prevention measures

Treatment of vestibular syndrome is a long process that will require considerable patience and endurance from both the owner and the pet. To avoid relapses, you should carefully monitor symptoms and under no circumstances interrupt treatment, even if the condition has improved significantly.

To prevent the development of vestibular syndrome in your pet, you need to:

feed the animal correctly;
systematically walk;
avoid situations where the pet may injure its head;
immediately respond to any changes in the dog’s behavior;
It is imperative to continue to treat diseases, especially for otitis media, which can subsequently cause serious health problems.

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.

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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 a disease that gives the animal virtually no chance if the owner does not notice alarming symptoms in time and does not seek help from a veterinarian. The disease is associated with dysfunction of the cerebellum, the main part of the brain. With severe ataxia, the dog loses the ability to coordinate its movements and maintain balance. This disease can be congenital, genetic, or acquired. Today we will talk about the causes of ataxia in dogs, its symptoms and treatment.

Ataxia in dogs: symptoms and treatment

Dogs that, for some reason, have developed ataxia, that is, the cerebellum functions with disturbances or does not perform its function at all, lose the ability to move in space. You need to understand that the muscle strength and performance of the limbs do not disappear, but the animal simply cannot use its paws.

Disturbances in the functioning of the cerebellum are characterized by such unpleasant consequences as impaired coordination and balance; therefore, the dog seems to be “dangling” in space, unable to control its own body. Accordingly, pets with ataxia continue to exist, can eat and drink and even move around, but only with the help of the owner.

Types of ataxia in dogs

In addition to the cerebellar, there are other types of ataxic lesions of the dog’s brain:

frontal lobes;
channels responsible for vision;
crown areas;
posterior nerve canals;
mental;

Table. Variations of ataxia in dogs

The types of ataxia differ only in the location of damage to the nervous system; they do not differ in symptoms or treatment methods.

Why does cerebellar ataxia occur in dogs?

One reason is a gene mutation or heredity, due to which the puppy receives the disease from its parents. The following representatives of the canine world are most susceptible to gene ataxia:

Cocker Spaniels (English).
Old English Sheepdogs.
Staffordshire Terriers.
Kerry Blue Terriers.
Hairless Chinese Crested.
Scottish Terriers.

Responsible owners and breeders of these dogs perform special veterinary tests to determine the animal's ability to pass on the disease by inheritance. If the test is positive, the dogs are not allowed to be bred. But, unfortunately, heredity is not the only reason for the development of ataxia in dogs.

The disease can be provoked in a dog by head injuries that damage the brain (fall from height, collision with a car), neuritis and otitis, severe infectious diseases, brain tumors.

Ataxia in dogs: symptoms

In Greek, the word ataxia means “without order.” This description speaks volumes about the symptoms of the disease. With progressive ataxia, the dog looks “drunk”: falls, stumbles, turns its head, crouches when turning. At the same time, moving in a straight line is quite easy for sick dogs, but the pet is not able to climb the stairs, walk along a winding corridor, or change the trajectory of movement.

Dogs with ataxia may even bump into large objects, are unable to jump, make a turn, are unable to chase a person or other animal, or play with their relatives. Animals with a damaged cerebellum move with small “goose steps”, and at the same time they can walk too wide, placing their paw much further than necessary.

Some owners confuse the manifestations of ataxia with epilepsy, as animals often shudder, suffer from dizziness, their head shakes, their eyelids and chin tremble. Convulsive jerks and movements usually occur in a situation where the animal is concentrated, for example, eating or trying to plot a route.

Video - Ataxia in dogs

Examination and diagnosis

Despite the characteristic signs of the disease, an accurate diagnosis can only be made in a veterinary clinic. As a rule, there is only one examination method - the animal undergoes magnetic resonance imaging. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and allows the doctor to make a conclusion about the functioning of all parts of the brain, including the cerebellum.

During the diagnosis, the veterinarian must also exclude or detect other or concomitant diseases that may give similar symptoms or be the root cause of ataxia in the animal.

Treatment of ataxia in dogs

The treatment regimen for ataxia in dogs depends on the cause that caused it. If the cause of ataxia is a tumor compressing the cerebellum or nerve canals, its surgical removal can result in significant improvement, up to complete recovery.

If ataxia is caused by genetics, then it is impossible to cure the brain damage. If the stage of damage is severe, veterinarians consider it humane to euthanize the dog so as not to condemn it to years of unpleasant and painful existence. In cases where ataxia is relatively mild, the animal's quality of life can be improved.

The therapeutic regimen for maintaining an animal with ataxia includes painkillers, medications that relieve nervous tension, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin complexes (in particular, B-group vitamins).

The owner of a dog who has been diagnosed with ataxia must provide the pet with the most comfortable conditions possible: select equipment for walking in which the animal can be well controlled (for example, a harness), secure the room where the dog is. It will never be possible to cure genetic ataxia, and the owner must be prepared for the fact that his pet will be dependent on his attention and patience all his life.

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