Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The neurology of balance: function and dysfunction of the vestibular system in dogs and cats.
- Journal:
- Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Kent, Marc et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery · United States
Plain-English summary
Vestibular disorders, which affect balance, are a common issue seen in dogs and cats. Veterinarians need to carefully examine these pets to figure out what is causing the problem, as it can come from either the outer parts of the nervous system or the brain itself. Some conditions, like idiopathic vestibular syndrome, are more common and can be similar to a type of balance issue seen in people. Unfortunately, problems that originate in the brain usually have a worse outlook than those that come from the outer nervous system. Overall, understanding the source of the vestibular dysfunction is crucial for determining the best treatment and prognosis.
Abstract
Disorders affecting the vestibular system are a common neurological problem encountered in small animal practice. As a result, veterinarians are often faced with determining the underlying etiology of affected animals. In order to establish an accurate etiological diagnosis, proper interpretation of neurological deficits and precise neuroanatomical localization are essential. Neurological examination can confirm whether the vestibular dysfunction is of peripheral or central nervous system origin. Peripheral vestibular diseases include idiopathic vestibular syndrome, which has some similarities with vestibular neuritis in humans. Central vestibular diseases in general have a poor prognosis in comparison to those affecting the peripheral vestibular system.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19944632/