Staggering dog: what can it be?

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 23 January 2021
Update Date: 23 December 2024
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Why is My Dog Staggering and Walking Like Drunk (Stumbling)
Video: Why is My Dog Staggering and Walking Like Drunk (Stumbling)

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There are many causes of dog staggering, loss of balance, or uncoordinated gait. What is certain is that it is a serious situation and that arouses concern and sadness from those who observe it. If you have observed any episode of this type in your animal, you should ask your veterinarian for help so that he can do the necessary additional tests to diagnose the problem.

However, while you wait for the appointment and want to know why the dog is staggering, in this article by PeritoAnimal we will help you understand a little more about this situation.

Dog staggering and lacking balance

Staggering gait can occur in various ages, races and genders and is commonly associated with neurological disorders, as many of them cause staggering gait, incoordination and imbalance. However, the cause is not always of nervous origin. There are situations that can cause these symptoms and that are more easily resolved than nerve disorders.


If possible, film when the episode occurs (if it is a prolonged situation or with multiple episodes that allow filming). This can help the veterinarian to better visualize the problem, as some dogs inside the office may not walk far enough to visualize the imbalance while walking.

In the next topic we will refer to the possible causes of why a dog is staggering. The range of possibilities is so wide that it is important to observe the symptoms in order to reduce the list of possible diagnoses.

Staggering Dog: Causes

Anesthesia

We all know that drugs have some side effects and that they can affect us in many ways. One is the disorientation and staggering gait that animals may experience after anesthetizing a surgical procedure. During the hours following surgery, the animal should be kept in a quiet place without too much noise and movement, as it is still under anesthesia.


Don't be scared, it's normal not to know what to do when dog is staggering. This effect usually wears off within a few hours of the animal's rest and it fully recovers. However, if symptoms persist after these hours, you should inform your veterinarian.

neurological diseases

Lesions in the nervous system can be the result of genetic defects, malformations, infections (such as encephalitis), intoxication, trauma, tumors, metabolic diseases (chronic renal failure, diabetes, hepatitis), among others.

THE ataxia, meaning loss of coordination of voluntary muscle movements, is common in many neurological diseases and is characterized by uncoordinated and staggering movements, limb weakness, and abnormal pendulum eye movements (nystagmus).


THE canine vestibular syndrome it results from inflammation of the inner ear nerves that control balance and is very common in dogs, especially in those who have chronic recurrent ear infections or poorly treated ear infections. It is characterized by a set of neurological signs that are very easy to identify, with the tilted position of the head being one of the most significant.

THE canine cognitive dysfunction is a disease recently recognized in geriatric dogs and characterized by the degeneration of the central nervous system associated with advancing age, as occurs in Alzheimer's disease in humans. The animal is disoriented, seems not to recognize orders and commands it has always recognized, loses habits and routines, changes its sleep pattern and may not even recognize its owners.

These are just some of the neurological diseases that can afflict dogs.

It is important to mention that neurological diseases are very difficult to diagnose due to wide variety of causes and origins that they can have. Therefore, the treatment is equally complex and will be tailored according to the underlying cause.

orthopedic diseases

Often times a staggering dog and a limping dog are confused, and other times they may both be present.

A staggering dog can be caused by problems in the joints and/or bone structures, herniated discs, muscle or tendon problems, among others. In this case, the veterinarian will perform a detailed neurological and orthopedic examination to discover the diagnosis.

vascular diseases

Like humans, dogs can also be affected by stroke (stroke). If the dog is having a stroke or stroke, he may walk unsteadily and unsteadily. The symptoms are similar to those of neurological diseases: disorientation, excessive salivation and tremors.

viral diseases

Certain viruses have an affinity for cells in the nervous system, leading to severe and often lethal neurological symptoms. Rabies and canine distemper are two great examples of viral diseases that have repercussions on the dog's locomotion, behavior and mental state, which can be prevented through a correct vaccination plan.

THE anger it is an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans (zoonosis) with an affinity for the central nervous system. THE excessive salivation is the most common symptom associated with this disease, however staggering gait with frequent falls, lack of motor coordination, mental confusion and muscle contractions are frequent in dogs with rabies.

THE distemper canine is an infectious disease that affects puppies up to one year old and the elderly. The system digestive it is usually the first to be affected (vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite), followed by respiratory (breathing difficulties, runny nose, sneezing) and, finally, the nervous, which is when the animal starts to get disoriented and the dog walks staggering, being able to become shivering and paralyzed. An animal that has had the nervous system affected may have muscle tremors, walk unsteadily and have seizures for life, even if the virus is no longer in its body.

In case of a definitive diagnosis, it is important to isolation of the animal so he can't infect others.

Ache

A dog with visceral (organ), muscle, bone, or joint pain may have difficulty moving, which causes him to assume a limp and unsteady walk. Pain is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as excessive vocalization, moaning, loss of appetite, excessive localized licking, wheezing, isolation, spine position (arched) and even behavioral changes such as aggressiveness.

Although it can be difficult to identify, pain is so overwhelming and can change your pet's entire routine, including locomotion, it is very important to recognize it as soon as possible.

poisoning or intoxication

One of the most immediate concerns when a dog suddenly starts to stagger is poisoning. Dogs are curious animals and tend to eat a variety of foods or substances that cause poisoning or intoxication. Beware of plants and food that you leave within reach of your friend.

Poisoning and intoxication are different concepts, but they lead to the manifestation of the same clinical signs: skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, convulsions, lethargy, lack of appetite, excessive salivation, staggering, altered breathing, bleeding, heart failure, coma and death.

In general, the time required for symptoms to appear will depend on the amount of toxic substance ingested and its toxicity.

If the dog shows symptoms of poisoning, you should immediately take your dog to a veterinarian. Treatment should start as soon as the substance is identified.

Hyperthermia or fever

Hyperthermia, defined as the increase in body temperature, is a very common and very serious problem in dogs and cats, especially during the summer. Puppies don't have the same ability to sweat as we do and the only way they can regulate their temperature is through breathing, which sometimes may not be effective enough.

Among the main symptoms of hyperthermia are: wheezing, very red tongue, excessive salivation, staggering gait, mental confusion, convulsions, vomiting and diarrhea. This situation must be quickly reversed and avoided because can be lethal. During periods of warmer temperature, you should always provide fresh water, moderate exercise, and during off-peak hours. Having a shelter at home in a shady and airy place is ideal.

In cases of fever due to bacterial, viral or immunological disease, the animal is also disoriented and may walk more staggering and be more listless, with a hot, dry nose, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, depending on what caused the fever . In either case it is necessary to try to lower the temperature before the consequences are even more severe.

hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the decreased blood glucose concentration below normal levels. It can be divided into three types of severity and, if not treated urgently, can be fatal.

hypoglycemia Light may involve generalized weakness, excessive appetite, and tremors. At moderate we may have a dog with poor coordination, uncoordinated, disoriented, walking in circles or staggering. in the state more serious, the dog may have seizures, lose consciousness, go into a coma or even die.

general poor health

Animals very debilitated, anorectic, anemic or dehydrated they are predisposed to incapacitating neurological symptoms, such as: apathy, prostration, muscle weakness, imbalance, mental confusion, motor incoordination and when they try to move, they move in a staggering way.

Any animal in this state should be considered a medical urgency.

Staggering Dog: Diagnosis and Treatment

As we have seen, the causes of dogs with a staggering gait are numerous, which can lead to a later diagnosis. For this reason it is very important to provide the complete history of the animal's life and routine, so that possibilities can be ruled out or included.

All of this, together with the other symptoms, physical examination at the time of the consultation and complementary exams will provide much of the information needed to reach a definitive diagnosis, which is so important to apply the ideal treatment.

Treatment will also depend on the cause and severity of the situation. Certain situations cannot be cured but can be alleviated with the help of drugs so that your pet can have a stable and well-being life.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Staggering dog: what can it be?, we recommend that you enter our Neurological Disorders section.