When a dog begins to walk abnormally, as if he were really drunk, more than fun it should be a cause for alertness and concern on the part of the caretaker. This is called ataxia and can be caused by a variety of causes, from simple nutrient and electrolyte imbalances or intoxications to tumors or problems in the spinal cord, cerebellum, or brain. vestibular apparatus, which are the important centers in the coordination and control of movements. The diagnosis must be exhaustive, with a good clinical history, neurological examination, laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. Treatment will vary depending on the cause.
Keep reading this article on our site to find out why your dog walks like he's drunk and what to do in each case.
Why does my dog walk like he's drunk?
When a dog seems to walk with incoordination, loss of balance and staggers as if he is drunk or drugged, it means that he has ataxiai.e. gait disturbance. This lack of control occurs when the pathways that inform the brain about position and regulate movement and balance are altered for some reason, or when they cause damage to the brain.
Ataxia is a clinical sign caused by different diseases or disorders in dogs. Although the first thing that can be thought of in a dog with this incoordination is that it has vestibular, spinal or cerebellar disease, it is actually a common sign of other neurological diseases and other disorders, such as some infectious diseases.
The origin of that wobbly, annoyed and unbalanced gait can be due to the following causas:
- Poisoning: Some drugs (such as metronidazole or epilepsy drugs) and toxic products can cause this neurological sign.
- Canine Distemper: This virus can affect the nervous system causing ataxia.
- Blows or falls that can cause inflammation and even brain hemorrhage.
- Vestibular syndrome: It is also usually accompanied by tilting of the head, movement of the eyes up and down or laterally, anorexia and dizziness. If you notice that your dog walks sideways, this may be the reason.
- Diseases of the spinal cord: inflammation, trauma, tumors, strokes.
- Otitis middle or internal.
- Vestibular disease.
- Vertebral or intervertebral infection.
- Herniated Disc.
- Discospondylitis.
- Thiamine deficiency.
- Brain tumor.
- Wobbler syndrome: problems at the level of the vertebrae (protrusion, degeneration, narrowing), which can sometimes be congenital.
- Cerebellar disease.
- Granulomatous meningoencephalitis.
- Hypocalcemia.
- Hypokalemia.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Sweeteners (xylitol).
In summary, in dogs we can find three main types of ataxia according to their origin:
- Propioceptive or sensory ataxia: occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord and/or vertebrae and nerves.
- Vestibular ataxia: when damage occurs to the ear's vestibular apparatus that governs balance.
- Cerebellar ataxia: when signs of cerebellar disturbance are seen, such as exaggerated movements (hypermetry) and incoordination.
- Secondary ataxia: produced by external factors (traumas, medications, xylitol, toxins) and electrolyte or nutritional imbalances.
Symptoms of gait disturbance in dogs
When a dog seems drugged or walks as if he were drunk due to ataxia, as we have seen, it may correspond to a secondary sign of disorders of various kinds. For this reason, incoordination frequently occurs with associated symptoms depending on the original process in question.
The clinical signs that a dog with ataxia may show are as follows:
- Motor incoordination.
- Wobbling.
- Nystagmus.
- Hypermetry.
- Circling.
- Paresis.
- Tremors.
- Seizures.
- Paresis.
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Dizziness.
- Fever.
- Pain.
- Grip.
- Respiratory distress.
- Hemorrhages.
- Loss of balance.
- Hearing loss.
- Mental changes.
- Confusion.
- Anorexy.
Diagnosis of uncoordinated gait in dogs
To diagnose the specific cause that is causing our dog to seem to dance due to incoordination, the first thing that is done at the veterinary center is to investigate its medical history: vaccination, age, recent trauma, possibility of being in contact with any toxin or medication that can cause ataxia, how long it has been with symptoms, if it presents pain or associated clinical signs. In this way, a clinical suspicion can be established.
Subsequently, a correct neurological diagnosis should be made in order to try to Locate the injury and its consequencesYou should also do a blood count and a complete blood biochemistry to inquire about possible alterations or deficits electrolytic. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid may be taken when a nervous system problem or infection is suspected.
To establish the definitive diagnosis, diagnostic imaging tests should be performed, specifically:
- Bone scan.
- Myelography (X-ray of the spinal cord).
- Magnetic resonance.
- Computed Tomography (CAT).
What to do if my dog walks as if he were drunk?
Given the multiple causes that can cause this gait disturbance in dogs, it is essential Go to the veterinary clinic so that a professional make the diagnosis and establish the treatment. A dog that suddenly cannot walk should be treated as soon as possible.
Treatment will vary greatly depending on the origin of the dog's motor incoordination, considering the following:
- When it is due to toxins, they must be removed or application of an antidote if they have it.
- If it is due to a drug, you should pause the medication, reduce the dose or change it to another drug.
- If there are electrolyte or nutritional imbalances, they should supplement in order to reach adequate levels.
- If infections are present, antibiotic therapy should be given.
- In the case of tumors, the appropriate treatment must be applied depending on the case (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery).
- In certain cases a surgical intervention must be performed,such as in cases of severe compressive disc herniations or certain tumors.
- In other cases a certain rest and anti-inflammatory therapy. will suffice.
- In the presence of moderate to severe pain, add analgesics.
- If there is vomiting, antiemetics. can be used.
- If it is due to canine distemper, the specific symptomatic treatment must be applied.
- In some cases, and especially after surgery, it may be convenient for the dog to undergo physiotherapy sessions.
For everything we have discussed, the causes of loss of balance in dogs are very varied, so if you suspect that your dog may be developing ataxia, you should urgently go to a center veterinarian so that its cause can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
