Vestibular disease in dogs – signs and what to do
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Vestibular disease is a condition that can make a dog feel as though everything is spinning around them.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is
Vestibular disease can make a dog feel as though everything is spinning around them, like vertigo in people.[1] It usually causes loss of balance, a head tilt and flickering eye movements.[1]
Signs
How vets treat it
- Surgery
- Antibiotics
- Hospitalisation
- Anti-sickness medication
- Medication
What the experts say
“Overview. Vestibular disease is a condition that makes a dog feel as though everything is spinning around them (just like vertigo in people). It usually causes loss of balance, a head tilt and flickering eye movements.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.
Common questions
What is vestibular disease in dogs?
It is a condition that can make a dog feel as though everything is spinning around them, like vertigo in people.[1]
What signs can vestibular disease cause?
Signs can include loss of balance, leaning to one side, falling over, a head tilt, flickering eye movements, vomiting, standing with the legs wide apart, walking in circles, or collapsing and struggling to stand.[1]
What may treatment for vestibular disease include?
Treatment depends on the cause and may include surgery, antibiotics, hospitalisation, anti-sickness medication or medication.
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
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