When it comes to pet care, it’s not just about cold hard cash. So many of us who grew up with dogs didn’t want to see them suffer, even if that meant saying goodbye. And yet, as I reflect on my own dog who passed away six months ago now, I realize that I never came up with a good answer when people asked me, “Should you put a dog down with vestibular disease?”
Vestibular disease is an uncommon affliction that affects dogs and cats. It occurs when the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear becomes inflamed or otherwise damaged. This leads to three main signs which are falling, head tilting, and circling. If your pet suffers from any of these signs you should consult your vet. However, there are some cases where putting a dog down is necessary.
Should You Put A Dog Down With Vestibular Disease?
Vestibular disease is a condition that affects dogs’ balance. It can be caused by a number of things, including injury or trauma to the head, inner ear infection and other issues. The symptoms of this illness include dizziness, nausea and vomiting, as well as loss of coordination and balance. If your dog has been diagnosed with vestibular disease, you may be wondering if it’s best to put them down or try some other kind of treatment for their condition.
The first thing to consider is whether or not your dog’s condition is severe enough to warrant putting them down. If they are still able to walk around on their own, eat and drink normally and do not seem to be suffering from any pain or discomfort then it may not be necessary to euthanize them at this time. However if they are unable to stand up straight or move around without falling over then euthanasia would probably be the best course of action here because there isn’t much hope for recovery from such an advanced case of vestibular disease in most cases anyway.
If it turns out that your dog can still walk around somewhat normally then there are some things you can do at home in order to help keep them comfortable
When your dog comes down with vestibular disease, it can be a very scary time. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this illness and it can result in long-term damage to your dog’s eyes and inner ear.
While there are treatments that can help with the symptoms of vestibular disease, they do not stop or reverse the damage that has already occurred to your dog’s body. If you’ve tried these treatments or they don’t provide much relief for your pet, then you may be wondering if it’s time to put them down.
While deciding whether or not to put your dog down is never easy, there are several factors that should be considered before making this decision. The first thing you should consider is what kind of quality of life does your dog have now? Is there any chance that he could improve from his current condition? If not, then it may be time for him to go on ahead because he will likely continue suffering until the end of his life.
Another factor that should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to put your dog down is how long he has been suffering from this condition and how much pain he is in on a daily basis. For example, if
Should You Put A Dog Down With Vestibular Disease
- 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.
- Vestibular disease can be caused by anything that affects the balance centre in the inner ear and brain, and is most common in old dogs.
- Vestibular disease usually develops very suddenly, but fortunately, most dogs start improving within 2-3 days, and recover within a few weeks.
- Always contact your vet if your dog has symptoms of vestibular disease, and ask for a same-day appointment if they are vomiting or seem distressed.
What is vestibular disease?
Vestibular disease is a group of symptoms caused by a problem in the balance centre (which sits in the inner ear and brain). It usually occurs very suddenly and makes a dog feel as though everything is spinning. It can be very distressing to see a dog with vestibular disease and many owners mistake it for a stroke. Fortunately, with careful nursing, symptoms often improve within a couple of days.
Symptoms
- Loss of balance, leaning to one side, and falling over
- Head tilt
- Flickering eye movements (nystagmus)
- Vomiting
- Standing with their legs wide apart
- Walking in circles
- Collapsing/ struggling to stand
Causes
There are a few different things that can cause vestibular syndrome including:
Geriatric (old dog) vestibular disease – also known as idiopathic vestibular disease, affects older dogs, there is currently no known cause.
A middle or inner ear problem – such as infection, inflammation, a tumour or benign polyp.
A brain problem – such as infection, inflammation or a tumour.
Certain medicines – some medications are toxic to the ears and have the potential to cause vestibular syndrome.
Vestibular Disease in Dogs
When to contact your vet
Contact your vet for an appointment if your dog has symptoms of vestibular disease. Ask for a same-day appointment if they are vomiting or distressed.
Treatment
Treatment for vestibular disease depends on the cause.
Geriatric (old dog) vestibular disease
Old dogs that develop vestibular disease often improve over 2-3 days with nursing and anti-sickness medication (if necessary). Most can be looked after at home, but if your dog has severe symptoms, they might need to stay in the veterinary hospital for intensive care.
Ear infection
If your dog’s vestibular disease is caused by an ear infection, they are likely to need antibiotics, nursing care and other medication such as anti-sickness drugs. In some cases they may need a specialist surgery to drain their middle ear. Curing an inner ear infection can take several months.
What if they don’t improve?
If your dog doesn’t start improving within a few days, or your vet suspects something more serious is causing their symptoms, they may suggest further investigations. These could include an ear swab, x-rays, CT scan, MRI scan or a spinal tap (taking a sample of the fluid that sits around the brain and spine) and may need to be done at a referral centre (specialist vets). Once your dog has a diagnosis, your vet will be able to discuss their treatment options.
Home nursing a dog with vestibular disease
Keeping them safe
Keep your dog confined to a small area with soft furnishings and flooring so that they can’t walk into things, fall over or hurt themselves.
Food and drink
Make sure your dog eats and drinks regularly (you may need to hand-feed them for the first few days). Once they can eat on their own, make sure their food and water bowls are close to their bed.
Toileting
You may need to help your dog when they go out for a pee or poo. Either carry them, or support them whilst they walk (if you have a big dog this may take two people). You might find it useful to use a large towel, sling, or blanket under their tummy to support them and help them keep their balance.
Safe floors
Your dog will struggle to get up and move around so it’s a good idea to put them onto a carpeted floor where they won’t slip as easily. If this isn’t possible, consider getting a non-slip carpet or mat to put down (without raised edges).
Recovery time and outlook
Geriatric vestibular disease
Most dogs with geriatric/idiopathic vestibular disease, improve significantly within a couple of days and make a full recovery within 1-2 weeks. A head tilt will remain in some cases, but many dogs adapt and cope well with this. It’s possible for your dog to have more than one episode of idiopathic vestibular disease in their life time.
Other causes
The outlook for other causes of vestibular disease varies; ear infections, ear polyps and medication reactions are often treatable, but sadly, there are some conditions such as tumours and severe infections that don’t respond to treatment. If your dog is struggling with severe symptoms of vestibular disease and isn’t likely to recover, you may need to consider putting them to sleep to prevent them from suffering.
Cost
If your dog recovers well from vestibular disease, their treatment is likely to be relatively inexpensive. However, it can be an expensive condition to treat if it requires longer term treatment or referral to a specialist vet. Consider insuring your dog as soon as you get them, before any signs of illness start. This will ensure you have all the support you need to care for them. It’s also very important to speak openly to your vet about your finances, the cost of treatment, as well as what you think is right for your dog. There are often several treatment options so if one doesn’t work for you and your pet then the vet may be able to offer another.