Q: My 11 year old dog had a stroke-like attack last month. He became very dizzy and walking as if he was drunk. I rushed him to the vet right away, of course, since I was frightened it was something awful. My vet told me he had Geriatric Vestibular Syndrome. He seems a lot better now. Can you tell me more about this disease? What causes it?



A: The cause of this syndrome is not known. That is why it is also called Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome. Idiopathic means “cause unknown”.

I see Geriatric Vestibular Disease quite commonly in my practice.

My last case was in “Molson”, a 12 year old mixed breed dog. Molson came in with a complaint of being unable to stand. He was also throwing up. Many dogs with Vestibular Syndrome get sick to their stomach, secondary to motion sickness from the severe dizziness. On exam, I found he was ataxic (this means unsteady on his feet), and had a head tilt to one side. Molson’s eyes were bouncing back and forth, a sign called nystagmus. He was alert and responsive otherwise.

I treated Molson with an injection of medication to settle his stomach and sedate him lightly. It is not much fun being dizzy, and I wanted him to sleep during the acute phase of the disease. I told his owners I was pretty sure he had Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome, and that he should recover without any treatment in a week or two. I warned them he might have a permanent head tilt, but otherwise should make a complete recovery. They were very happy to hear this, for like you they thought their dog had some horrible disease and might have to be euthanized. Like your dog, Molson did recover, and is now pretty well back to his old self.

by: Louise Langlais-Burgess, D.V.M.
Hespeler Animal Hospital
210 Pinebush Road, Cambridge, ON
Tel.: (519) 740-7706