- Dr. Kevin Baker
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Do you have a dog who has been having difficulty staying balanced lately? Are you concerned about what might be causing this symptom in your pet? Is there anything you can do about it?
There are many potential underlying causes of loss of balance in dogs. In the article below, we’ll help you learn more about some of the most common possibilities that may affect your pet. By reading this guide, you’ll be able to determine when your dog may need to see an emergency vet at VEG ER for Pets for this issue.
Causes of loss of balance in dogs
There are common causes of why your dog is having balancing issues, and at the top of the list are what most dog owners already suspect: ear infections.
Ear infections and balancing problems in dogs
Ear infections are one of the most common causes of balance problems in dogs, especially if the loss of balance is sudden. Dogs with ear infections that impact balance may show signs such as shaking their head, stumbling or falling over, circling, or difficulty standing or walking normally.
Balance issues related to ear infections often come on suddenly and can worsen quickly. In some cases, pet parents may not notice obvious ear symptoms like redness, discharge, or odor before balance changes appear, especially if the infection is located deeper in the ear canal. An ear infection diagnosis usually involves a thorough ear and neurological exam, and treatment depends on the severity and location of the infection. Prompt veterinary care is important, as untreated ear infections can lead to permanent damage or ongoing balance problems.
Infections involving the inner ear can disrupt the body’s balance system, sometimes resulting in a collection of symptoms known as vestibular signs. Vestibular disease - and how it affects a dog’s balance - is discussed in more detail below.
Other causes of loss of balance in dogs
Vestibular disease and balance problems in dogs
Vestibular disease is a condition affecting the vestibular nerve, and is often associated with inner ear conditions, including ear infections. The cause can range from inner/middle ear disease or disease of the brain. This often occurs suddenly and is most commonly seen in older dogs. Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause. A thorough examination with a veterinarian and diagnostics such as blood pressure measurement, x-rays, and blood work can be important to look for an underlying cause. In certain cases, advanced imaging may be required.
Vestibular disease is not nearly as serious as most of the other items on this list of reasons why a canine has problems with their balance. In older dogs with idiopathic vestibular disease (an underlying cause is not found), they can often recover with minimal long term effects and continue to live a full, happy life with this condition, as long as you work on managing it properly.
Brain tumor can make a dog off balance
Although much less common than ear infection, brain tumor is a potential cause of dizziness in dogs as well. If your dog suffers a brain tumor, you will likely notice a wide range of other symptoms indicating a serious problem. Your dog could have a personality change, become incontinent, or have difficulty controlling other parts of the body, too.
Advanced imaging is often required to diagnose a brain tumor. If your dog does have a brain tumor, you’ll need to work with your primary care vet and a specialist to figure out the best course of action for your pet.
A dog's imbalance may be due to stroke
A stroke can cause sudden, unexplained dizziness in dogs. It can also cause dogs to lose control of part(s) of the body, similar to stroke symptoms seen in humans. If your dog has a stroke, you may notice your pet being unable to stand up or stay balanced well, sudden collapse, head tilt, blindness, circling, stumbling along with incontinence and other related symptoms.
An emergency vet at VEG will examine your dog to see if a stroke is the problem. If so, you’ll need to discuss the possible diagnostics, treatment, and management options with your primary care vet. Only a veterinary professional can tell you for sure what to expect following a stroke in your dog.
Head injury can lead a dog's balance problem
Dogs who suffer any type of head injury may have trouble balancing. Depending on the type of injury in question, your dog may lose some cognitive functions. A loss of balance after a head injury may be short-term, but it could also last throughout the rest of your dog’s life.
As with the other situations on this list, you’ll need to talk with your dog’s regular vet for more information about dealing with the result of a head injury. You may also need to take your pet to a specialist.
Seizure can cause dog's loss of balance
Finally, a loss of balance may actually come from a seizure. Some dogs do not have full seizures that cause them to be completely unable to move, but they may still fall down suddenly in the middle of a seizure instead.
If your dog seems to suddenly fall down, and especially if this happens along with a bout of incontinence, a seizure could be the cause. Seizures are common in dogs, and epilepsy is frequently diagnosed in dogs as well. If your dog is diagnosed with epilepsy, your primary care vet will likely provide seizure medication for your dog. This medication can help prevent seizures and lessen the severity of this problem as well.
Call a VEG emergency vet clinic near you if your dog is losing their balance
Based on this information, it’s easy to see why dizziness and a loss of balance can be so concerning in dogs. Many of the potential causes of this condition are serious, so it’s important to take your pet to an emergency vet as soon as possible to figure out what’s going on.
The good news is that ear infection is the most common possibility from the list above. However, even if your dog just has an ear infection, you’ll need the help of a veterinary professional to treat the problem. Contact your nearest VEG emergency vet hospital if you have any questions. Our animal hospitals are open 24 hours, and when you call, you'll speak directly to a qualified veterinarian.
