The Vestibular System is part of the neurological system that is responsible for perceiving your body's orientation relative to the earth. Basically the vestibular system determines if you are upside down, standing up, falling etc. When this system is disrupted you won't know which way is up, whether or not you are standing up straight or slanted, and you'll feel dizzy. Its like being on a constant roller coaster.
People often confuse/mistake vestibular disease with seizures or strokes.
The symptoms of vestibular disease are:
1. Motion sickness
2. Nystagmus-rapid eye movement---- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeXT0Sss0Hg
3. Circling
4. Head tilt (like Ralphy in the picture above) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqwW81CpUwE&feature=related
5. Falling to one side
6. Stumbling/staggering- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1YNspRvdPE
The causes of vestibular disease are:
1. Middle ear infection
2. Brain lesion
3. Unknown/idiopathic-Old Dog Vestibular Disease (what Ralphy in picture above suffered from)
In Ralphy's case he presented to our hospital with a sudden onset of staggering and falling onto his left side. Within hours he was unable to walk and had rapid eye movement. We diagnosed him with Old Dog Vestibular Disease and treated him for motion sickness. Each day he progressively got better. He is now walking but still has his head tilt (head tilts can persist up to 6 months and sometimes can even be permanent). Below is Ralphy resting comfortably. :)
Dr. Kim Simons
West Boca Veterinary Center
www.westbocavet.com
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