Potential Reasons For Your Dog's Balance Issues

When you're used to your dog looking stable when it stands and walks, it can be alarming when the animal appears to be suffering from balance issues. A dog that loses its balance may topple over and have trouble getting back to its feet. Should your dog experience this issue, it's important to stay calm and contact your local veterinarian. They'll ask you some specific questions about your dog's appearance and behavior over the phone so that you can take the appropriate next step. Often, the next step will be to hastily visit the clinic so that the veterinarian can assess your dog and provide whatever care is necessary. Here are some potential reasons that your dog may be dealing with balance issues.

Ear Infection

If a dog has an ear infection that is severe, the animal may struggle with its balance. A visit to the vet clinic will quickly reveal that an ear infection is to blame if this is the case. Often, you'll be able to notice additional indicators of an ear infection in your pet. Because the infection causes discomfort, you may have noticed that your dog has been repeatedly scratching at its ears. A close inspection of each ear could also reveal pus in one of them or the area could feel hot to the touch, both of which can be indicative of an infection.

Vertigo

Dogs can sometimes develop vertigo. As is the case with humans, one of the common symptoms of vertigo is a loss of balance. The dog may fall over to one side, struggle to get back to its feet, and then fall again. In some cases, your dog may also vomit — just as can often happen to humans who suffer from vertigo. Unlike an ear infection, there may not be additional symptoms that can make you suspect vertigo is the cause of this unusual behavior. Your vet, however, will be able to diagnose this condition when you bring your dog in to the clinic.

Leg Injury

In some cases, a dog can suffer from balance issues because of a leg injury. The animal may lift one leg to avoid putting weight on it, which could result in behaviors such as stumbling. If you watch your pet carefully, you may notice that it's favoring one of its legs. Visiting the local clinic will allow your veterinarian to determine the extent of the leg injury and treat it accordingly.