Dog nystagmus – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Possible causes include old dog vestibular disease, an ear problem, a brain problem, trauma, certain medications, hypothyroidism and congenital vestibular disease.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Nystagmus that has developed

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.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Nystagmus describes flickering or twitching eye movements that your dog cannot control.^[1] A dog's eyes may move up and down, side to side or in a circular motion.^[1] Possible causes include old dog vestibular disease, an ear problem, a brain problem, trauma, certain medications, hypothyroidism and congenital vestibular disease.^[1]

Possible causes

Old dog vestibular disease
An ear problem
A brain problem
Trauma
Certain medications
Hypothyroidism
Congenital vestibular disease

What the experts say

“Old dog vestibular disease ; An ear problem ; A brain problem ; Trauma ; Certain medications ; Hypothyroidism ; Congenital vestibular disease”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

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.

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Common questions

What is nystagmus in dogs?

Nystagmus describes flickering or twitching eye movements that your dog cannot control.^[1]

What can cause nystagmus in dogs?

Possible causes include old dog vestibular disease, an ear problem, a brain problem, trauma, certain medications, hypothyroidism and congenital vestibular disease.^[1]

When should I contact a vet?

Contact your vet straight away if your dog has developed nystagmus.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

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