Loss Of Balance In Your Dog - What It May Signify

Dogs can be ataxic for a range of reasons. An unbalanced body is evidence of this condition. Some of the signs of this condition include lack of coordination, wobbliness and a staggering gait. Pet insurance can help cover the costs of treatments for ataxia and other conditions that your pet may suffer from throughout their lifetime.

The three different clinical kinds of this condition include cerebellar, vestibular and sensory. All of the types of ataxia will cause poor coordination when standing or walking. Dogs suffering from vestibular or cerebellar ataxia frequently display changes in the way they move their neck and head.

The signs that your dog may have ataxia are many and varied. Your dog may have weakness of their limbs. One, two or all the legs can be thus affected. There are occasions when only one side of the body is affected or only the hind legs. Other signs include tilting the head back and forth and abnormal eye movements.

Other indications are when your pet has difficulty in walking in a controlled and steady manner. Ataxia can result in impaired hearing. Changes in behaviour and drowsiness are other symptoms that may be displayed by dogs that have this condition.

The word ataxia has Greek origins and means "without order" in the case of pets it refers to the coordination of movement. Dogs that have cerebellar ataxia usually have a drunken gait or they will lift their paws way off the ground when walking. This type of action is called "goose stepping". Any type of quick movement may make them stumble or have a brief dizzy spell.

Mild hereditary forms of ataxia can become severe. Only in the minority of cases is a dog so severely affected that it cannot lead a normal life. Some dog breeds seem to be more prone to inherited ataxia including Jack Russell terriers and Staffordshire terriers. The reasons why ataxia is more common in certain breeds is being investigated in numerous studies worldwide.

Cerebellar Ataxia in dogs can also be caused by certain toxins, viruses and trauma. That part of the brain that controls balance - the cerebellum - is affected by this type of ataxia. Vestibular ataxia, on the other hand, affects the dog's inner ear and head and body alignment. Characteristic symptoms include a marked tilt of the head and leaning to one side. Sensory ataxia affects the spinal cord and the position of the dog's limbs. Some signs of this type are the dog crossing its legs when walking or they may walk on the back of their paws.

Ataxia can only properly be diagnosed by a thorough examination by your vet. The vet will run a variety of tests to determine the cause of the ataxia. The reasons for the displaying of these symptoms must be established. Other causes such as an ear infection or adverse reaction to a medicine can be responsible for these symptoms.

Your vet will want to know a complete history of your pet including any other health problems and when the symptoms first started. If anything unusual happened to your pet prior to the appearance of the symptoms, your vet will need to know. Some kind of imaging tests are likely, as well as the standard blood and urine tests.

Only in severe cases of ataxia do dogs need to be admitted to a veterinary hospital. You should never give any type of medication to your dog without consulting with your vet first. If you do, the medicine can exacerbate the problem or mask the underlying condition. Once the vet's examination of your pet is finished, the most suitable treatment can be recommended. Treatment depends on what type of ataxia it is and if there is an underlying cause such as an ear infection or reaction to some type of medication.

Ataxia can affect any breed of dog no matter whether they are just a puppy or an older dog. Good health care cover will give you the peace of mind that any illness contracted by your dog will not cost you a fortune. In a recent claim settlement, one pet insurance customer was happy that she had taken the time to compare pet insurance policies before opting for the cheapest plan. Her Rottweiler, Alfie, had over 2000 spent on his treatment for ataxia. Good dog insurance will give you peace of mind that you will be able to provide the best treatment for your dog if they ever develop such a condition.