Is your dog acting as if he has mistakenly gulped down your champagne? Since the probability of this happening is very rare, there are other reasons your cuddly friend is acting drunk. We have listed below seven reasons that will answer your query why my dog is wobbly and off balance.
If your dog is walking off balance and wobbly, there are some potential risks associated with his health you should be curious about.
The health issues are usually related to your dog’s brain, spinal cord, and ears. In some cases, dogs feel dizzy and wobbly because of poisoning.
Whatever is causing your dog’s balance to go haywire, it needs immediate veterinarian attention.
1. Vestibular Syndrome
Dog’s vestibular system is linked with the inner ear to the brain to control eye movement and balance.
Vestibular syndrome refers to the disorder in the vestibular system that makes a dog wobbly and off balance.
Causes
- Ear infection
- Perforated eardrum
- Hypothyroidism
- Tumors
- Trauma
- Age factor
Symptoms
- Slabbering
- Food aversion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Noticeable head tilting
- Circling towards the infected side
- Disorderly eye movement
- Stammering
P.S. Vestibular disease is common in old-age dogs. Surprisingly, the symptoms fade away with constant and supportive therapy.
2. My dog is wobbly and off balance – Ear Infection
Whether your dog has sharp and erect ears that stand upright or droopy ears that fall past the face, if not cleaned timely, can cause an ear infection.
The L-shaped dog ear canal catches moisture, which induces yeast and bacteria, eventually causing ear infections.
However, the ear infection, when neglected, infects the vestibular system resulting in an off balance and wobbly dog.
Causes
- Fungi
- Bacterias
- Foreign bodies/ear mites
- Cancer
- Trauma
Symptoms
- Ears stink
- Constance screeching and whining
- Itchy ears
- Continuous ear discharge
- Wobbly and off-balance
IMPORTANT: Understand your dog’s actions – head tilting and circling. For instance, if his right ear is infected, the circling and head-tilting will be to the right side. You’ll also see the symptoms listed above.
Also, pay attention to changes in behavior. For example, a dog shaking his head may suffer from ear mites.
3. Stroke
Dogs rarely undergo strokes.
Strokes is a condition when the blood flow to a brain is heckled, causing neurological disorder and making a dog wobbly and off balance.
Causes
- Disrupted blood flow is caused by blood clots, tumor cells, bacterias, or mites.
- Bleeding in the brain
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
Symptoms
- Uncoordinated
- Abnormal eye movement
- Head tilted to side permanently
- Wobbly and off-balance
Dogs cannot speak. The owner needs to understand their expressions and health conditions.
P.S. Strokes cannot be cured, but constant observation can reduce the pain up to an extent.
4. My dog is wobbly and off balance – Brain Condition/Tumor
A number of reasons can negatively impact brain conditions, resulting in central nervous system diseases.
The brain tumor or cancer, when it affects a particular brain part, causes dizziness and balance problems. Moreover, dogs become impaired, less responsive, and inattentive to their surroundings. In most cases, seizures may also develop.
The tumor is a life-threatening disease that is commonly found in many dogs.
Causes
- Dietary problem
- Chemical changes
- Viral disease
- Trauma
- Unhealthy immune system
Symptoms
- Lethargic
- Disorientation
- Headache
- Circling
- Unbalanced movement
- The Unusual odor from the mouth, ear, and other body parts
Tumors can be painful depending upon the stage of cancer. However, it can be treated with appropriate drugs.
5. Spinal Cord Problem
Yes, dogs undergo spinal cord problems.
Spinal cord condition occurs when the disc between two vertebrae leaves its original position and thrusts the spinal cord. When the spinal cord is scrunched, the affected area doesn’t receive nerve signals making the dog wobbly and off-balance.
Causes
- Damaged vertebrae
Symptoms
- Refuse to play and exercise
- Lack of participation
- Food aversion
- Shivering
- Do not crouch down to eat or drink
- Bagged into a strange position
Broken spinal cord conditions are commonly found among dogs and result in paralysis, weakness, and unbearable pain.
6. My dog is wobbly and off balance – Trauma
Who wants their puppy to suffer from a traumatic situation, but incidents happen when a puppy is crashed down and suffers a trauma.
Types of Trauma
Just like children, dogs play and fall. They withstand injuries due to their thicker skull. However, if a dog is severely injured, the following types of trauma can occur.
● Concussion
When the injury impacts the brain, dogs suspect concussion. It can range from mild to severe. However, constant support and monitoring can overcome concussion symptoms, i.e., pain and nausea.
● Brain Swelling
A severe injury can lead to brain swelling. In this condition, the brain is swelled and compressed against the skull. This condition may prove to be life-threatening to a dog if neglected.
● Hemorrhage
A hemorrhage is the constant and uncontrollable bleeding in the brain. This is caused by a severe injury or accident.
Causes
- Bike or car accidents
- Gunshot
- Wounds
- Bites
- Injured by an object, animal, or human
- Aggression or violence
Symptoms
- Lethargic
- Wobbly and off-balance
- Unconscious
- Head or nose bleeding
- Abnormal eye movement
- Discoordination
The inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients causes depression. If your dog ever observes a traumatic condition, consult a veterinarian ASAP.
7. Poisoning
If your pooch has swallowed something harmful and is off-balanced, don’t wait; consult the veterinarian.
Consult the Veterinarian
If you need expert hep to your question why my dog is wobbly and off balance, the veterinarian is the best person you can consult.
If your dog demonstrates unusual behavior, is lethargic, or lacks appetite, is shivering or whining, the vet is the first person to reach out. He will diagnose your dog and will prescribe a treatment plan.
Keep your pup healthy and happy and give him the best opportunity to recover.