Neurological disorders in dogs can be scary, as they come on suddenly, leaving you feeling helpless. It’s important for you to recognize the signs of canine neurological disorders to properly care for your pooch and get back to pet business as usual.
Nancy Boman from Seattle, Washington, knew something was wrong when her three-year-old Saint Bernard, Tommy, had a seizure. She took him to the veterinarian, who ordered blood work, a brain MRI and a lumber puncture. Tommy was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, a neurological disorder, with no identified cause.
What Is a Canine Neurological Disorder?
Neurological disorders in dogs are illnesses that stem from your pet’s central nervous system, as well as the peripheral nervous system. According to Dr. Dwight Alleyne, a veterinarian at Acres Mill Animal Hospital in Canton, Georgia, the three main areas affected by canine neurological disorders are the brain, spinal cord and nerves. With brain disorders, he says, symptoms can include seizures, head tilt, tremors or blindness. With the spinal cord, he has a different list of symptoms.
“They include unsteady gait or compete paralysis with the front or hind limbs, problems with urination and loss of sense of pain in the affected limbs,” he says. With nerves affecting the face, you may notice that your dog’s face is paralyzed, that he can’t blink properly, or that he might have lost some of his tongue function, explains Dr. Alleyne.
What Are Some Other Types?
- Vestibular Syndrome
According to Dr. Jon Klingborg, a veterinarian at Valley Animal Hospital in Merced, California, this disease typically occurs in older dogs. It happens suddenly when the balance center in dogs “goes haywire” and the dog wakes up feeling like the room is spinning. “Most owners think their dog had a stroke, but this is not the case — it’s an issue with the nerves of the balance center of the inner ear,” Dr. Klingborg explains. Symptoms include a head tilt, nausea, difficulty standing and shifting eyes (called nystagmus), Dr. Klingborg reveals.Treatment typically includes administering injectable anti-nausea drugs, as well as keeping your pet comfortable through veterinary supportive care. “In some cases, vestibular syndrome is secondary to an ear infection, so the veterinarian can determine if that’s the issue or not and treat accordingly,” Dr. Klingborg explains. “With proper veterinary care, most dogs will recover in a few weeks.”
- Wobbler Syndrome
According to Dr. Alleyne, this disease commonly affects large and giant breed dogs. It’s caused by a congenital abnormality in the vertebrae of the neck and back that causes compression of the spinal cord. Signs include a slowly progressive unsteady gait with the hind limbs.“Dogs often don’t know where their feet are when they touch the ground, leading to what is called a proprioceptive deficit,” Dr. Alleyne explains. A CT scan or MRI of the spine diagnoses it. Treatment can include surgery or four to eight weeks of steroid therapy. “About 80 percent of dogs will improve with surgery. Less than 50 percent will improve with medical therapy,” says Dr. Alleyne.
Tommy’s canine seizures increased. Boman was instructed by her veterinarian to administer rectal Valium to Tommy during his seizures. Afterwards, he was given IV Valium in the veterinary emergency room. Despite medical care, Boman lost Tommy after a long grand mal seizure.
Boman says the three months caring for Tommy were emotionally exhausting and terrifying. “We did everything we could for him and basically ran our life around protecting him for the three months that he was going through this,” she says. However, her story shouldn’t discourage you if you and your pet have already received a diagnosis. “The quicker the disorder can be diagnosed, the better the prognosis, in many cases,” Dr. Alleyne reveals.
Although Boman’s story is tragic, she wants others to remain hopeful. “I know many owners of epileptic dogs who have persevered with medications and have been able to control seizures well. It definitely can be a very manageable disease for many dogs. One of my friends has a dog on phenobarbital who is now 14 months seizure-free.” If your dog displays signs of a neurological disorder, seek immediate veterinarian care. Your dog and family will thank you.
And read Dog Seizures: 10 Ways to Prevent and Treat Them.
Jennifer Gilbert is a freelance writer, mother of two and dog owner. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, dancing, traveling and spending time with her family (including her Papillon, Kallie).
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.