What is Ataxia?
An unbalanced gait in our pets is most likely secondary to the presence of a lesion. Simply said, ataxia will mean a lesion will be found in areas of the brain, inner ear or spinal cord. The exact cause of the loss of balance will determine the treatment protocol and the likelihood of recovery. Loss of balance can be frightening for your pet, and necessitates calmness and extra care on your part.
Gait problems, characterized by an uncoordinated movement and loss of balance, is known as ataxia in veterinary terms. A sensory dysfunction, ataxia can display many symptoms including tremors and postural abnormalities. If your dog is losing his balance and coordination, a veterinary visit is crucial.
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Symptoms of Ataxia in Dogs
The extent of the loss of balance can vary from pet to pet. If your canine companion is showing signs of gait difficulties, consult your veterinarian without delay. Symptoms that could accompany the unbalanced gait are listed here.
- Nausea and vomiting due to equilibrium problems
- Loss of appetite because of the nausea
- Head tilt which keeps one ear lower than the other
- Reduction in hearing abilities
- Changes in mental state
- Behavioral differences like a lack of bladder control in the house
- Abnormal eye movement (up and down or side to side)
- Loss of limb coordination which could include limb crossover, large steps and a wide stance
- Staggering, falling, swaying, drifting, and circling
- Tremors
- Dizziness
Types
Three anatomic regions of the nervous system are involved in unbalanced gait. The types of ataxia associated with the three regions are as follows.
- Vestibular ataxia
- This results from a mix up of inner ear messages to the brain regarding balance
- A loss of balance, unsteadiness, and a strange positioning of the head are characteristic to vestibular disturbances
- Proprioceptive (sensory) ataxia
- This form is caused by a compression of the spinal cord
- Lack of coordination and weakness are signs of the condition
- Cerebellar ataxia
- The cerebellum, which is responsible for coordination and movement, is damaged
- Sudden head movements cause dizziness, and the eyes will move abnormally
- This condition is sometimes mistaken for a stroke
Causes of Ataxia in Dogs
The cause for the ataxia will be determined by pinpointing the location of the lesion. Some of the causes of unbalanced gait are listed here.
- Vestibular ataxia
- Immune-related illnesses
- Cancer
- Trauma to the ear
- Poisoning
- Fungal infection
- Idiopathic (unknown)
- Proprioceptive (sensory) ataxia
- Cysts
- Nerve degeneration
- Blood clot
- Cancer
- Infection
- Trauma
- Cerebellar ataxia
- Cell degeneration
- Hereditary factors
- Congenital (present at birth)
- Brain tumor
- Infection
Diagnosis of Ataxia in Dogs
The protocol for diagnosing ataxia can be extensive. When you bring your beloved canine companion to the veterinarian, be prepared to list every symptom or behavioral change you have observed. Because the loss of balance, dizziness, and related symptoms can cause your dog to become frightened, do your best to exhibit a sense of calm during the examination. This demeanor could carry over to your pet, allowing him to relax while being examined.
Your veterinary team will assess your dog’s gait, providing assistance to him if needed when walking or standing. The gait of your dog can tell the experienced eye of your veterinarian much about what is happening in relation to the health of your pet. The analysis will involve watching your pet walk, and possibly observing him attempting stairs, all the while keeping the safety of your dog paramount.
The physical examination will also include neurological, reflex, and limb sensitivity tests. Imaging tests may be done to reach a definitive conclusion.
- Radiographs, plain and contrast
- Myelography (dye and x-ray to assess the spinal cord)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (this is the best way to assess ataxia and view the brain)
- Computed tomography scan
Muscle and nerve biopsies, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis can be done if the uncertainty of the cause is still present. Urine and blood analysis might be considered to rule out infection or disease.
Treatment of Ataxia in Dogs
The treatment plan for ataxia can take many different directions, which will be contingent on the location of lesions present, the severity of the loss of balance, the age of your pet, and the underlying disease factor, if this is the case.
Often, eliminating the underlying cause (through surgery for a tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation for cancer, or medication for an infection for example) will relieve the unbalanced gait and coordination issues. In some cases, though, effects will remain. For instance, your pet could live with a permanent degree of head tilt, or the remnants of a gait abnormality. There are dogs who have a good quality of life, even though they have balance problems.
Hereditary and congenital imbalance conditions have no cure.
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Recovery of Ataxia in Dogs
To begin, we must face the reality that some pets who are left with very severe effects from unbalanced gait, or have an ataxia condition that progresses to a state of incapacitation, will be euthanized because they are unable to cope or continue.
Supportive care is the key to a happy, comfortable life for a dog with less severe, yet nonetheless permanent, effects from ataxia. You must maintain a safe environment for your much-loved canine family member. Monitoring your pet at all times when you are home, and keeping his living space free from potential injury (such as blocking access to stairs) will be a necessity. When you leave your dog, alone in the house, confinement to a crate or a safe area will be in his best interest.
A dog with a loss of balance will need a day to day assistance with his needs. Feeding time can be an effort if he has tremors and finds it difficult to eat. Taking him for walks will take longer, and he will require assistance for balance. Medication requirements for nausea and dizziness may become the norm. Even with these changes and others, your dog can continue to be a great family pet with your help, and the advice of your veterinarian.
The symptoms of ataxia can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Ataxia Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $100 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Ataxia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Doberman Pinscher
Jasper
7 Months
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After surgery my dog was prescribed Carprofen and was fine the day I brought him home. The following day he was walking funny so I assumed he was in pain so I gave him a half of his meds. Within the hour he was falling over and Didn’t move for 12 hours. Is this a side effect or should I be concerned
Feb. 2, 2018
0 Recommendations
Carprofen (commonly known as Rimadyl) is normally well tolerated in dogs and normally adverse reactions are seen when given in excessive doses; however incoordination is a known side effect of carprofen. You should return to your Veterinarian for a discussion on Jasper’s symptoms and to possibly move him across to a different medication. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/Documents/pharmacy-carprofen.pdf
Feb. 3, 2018
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Maltese
Benny
5 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Is 50 mg of Atopica/day an excessive dose for a Maltese mix dog diagnosed with GME? He is also taking 10 mg of prednisone a day too.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
The usual dose of Atopica (Cyclosporine) is 5mg/kg per day so a Maltese would usually receive 20mg per day. In cases of Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis a dose of 3 – 6 mg/kg every twelve hours is prescribed; in a Maltese that would be 15 – 24mg/kg every twelve hours giving 50mg per day. The dosage is on the high end of the treatment range for Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
My name are Fred Lucas, 2015 i was diagnosed of Ataxia ,my symptoms are repetitive eye movements,
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July 26, 2017
Fred L.
I have a maltipoo with all these symptoms. However, the local vets have treated her for seizures and now with steroids. They say after the steroids there is nothing more they can do. Any recommendations as to where I can take her for testing for Ataxia or lesions within?
July 26, 2017
Daunya C.
Year old yorkie he was slobbering and his balance is off
Oct. 1, 2017
Tamara L.
I have a boxador who turned 8 in February. In the last 4 months, she has had ataxia episodes lasting 20 min tops varying in severity then she is completely normal not sluggish at all. After I filmed it, the vet and the neurologist didn't really know what to call it. Blood test, MRI and spinal tap all came back negative. We're at a loss. It comes on so quickly it's hard to prepare and it's gone before I can gather what had just happened. Any suggestions? I'm not convinced anti seizure meds are the way to go
April 24, 2018
Continuum2063 ..
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Ataxia Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $100 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,200
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