Download - Vestibular Disease of Geriatric Dogs
VESTIBULAR DISEASE OF GERIATRIC DOGSA case study by Allison Kirchgatter
WHAT IS GERIATRIC VESTIBULAR DISEASE?
The vestibular system controls balance Geriatric vestibular disease is characterized by sudden and non-progressive loss of balance
http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/vestibular-disease-in-dogs/856
WHO IS AT RISK FOR GERIATRIC VESTIBULAR DISEASE?
Geriatric dogs; usually older than 8 years old More frequently affects medium to large breed dogs
HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE GERIATRIC VESTIBULAR DISEASE?
Geriatric vestibular disease is characterized by a sudden onset of the following symptoms:
Wobbly, loss of balance, inability to walk Disorientation Head tilt Nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movement) May or may not present with nausea and vomiting from the
dizziness
http://www.myvetcare.com.au/Ringwood_East_Vetcare/Blog/Entries/2013/6/1_geriatric_vestibular_syndrome.html
HOW WILL GERIATRIC VESTIBULAR DISEASE BE TREATED?
The patient should receive: Intravenous fluids Meclizine- a medication to prevent motion sickness caused by the
dizziness Cerenia- an anti nausea medication A Urinary catheter may need to be placed if the animal cannot
stand to urinate to prevent skin wetness and irritation
WHAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED POST-TREATMENT?
Prognosis for geriatric vestibular disease is very good Rapid improvement and recovery is expected Most dogs make a nearly full recovery within 2-3 weeks
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS Geriatric vestibular Syndrome can often present with similar
clinical signs of a brain tumor. Vestibular Syndrome is sudden, and will resolve, whereas
neoplasms grow slowly and present with symptoms that progress over time.
An MRI would be needed to definitive diagnosis to determine which disease process is occurring
Geriatric vestibular Syndrome will show rapid improvements with proper hospitalization and supportive care, while a tumor will not.
CASE STUDY: KOBY WEST
13 Year old Neutered male Golden Retriever 112.6 pounds
Koby presented at IVS unable to walk Koby’s owner noted that he was weak and
stumbling, then Koby fell and could not stand.
KOBY’S PROGRESS: PRESENTATION
Koby presented as non-ambulatory, but was able to stand if we assisted him.
Clinical sings: Tremors Head tilt to the left Vertical nystagmus (eye twitching up and down)
PROGRESS: 24 HOURS
Koby remained unable to stand unassisted His head continued to tilt to the left His nystagmus switched from vertical to horizontal Koby still refused to eat (possibly due to persistent nausea)
PROGRESS: 48 HOURS
Koby stood up on his own and was able to walk with assistance His nystagmus and head tilt both decreased in severity Koby’s owners came to visit and were able to get him to eat He developed a small cutaneous lesion (a hot spot) on his
elbow from laying down for extended periods of time This was clipped, cleaned, and he was started on Cephalexin to
prevent infection
PROGRESS: 72 HOURS
By the 3rd day of hospitalization Koby was able to stand and walk by himself
Nystamus and head tilt had resolved Appetite returned Koby was discharged and sent home
Over a month later, the owners report that Koby is doing well