Why is my dog walking like she’s drunk?


Sharing is Caring


When a dog seems to be walking with lack of coordination, loss of balance and staggering as if they were drunk or drugged, it means that they have ataxia. Not a disease in itself, ataxia is a symptom of disease which means they have an alteration i their gait.

Why is my dog stumbling all of a sudden?

If your dog is staggering, stumbling, or falling over, it may be the result of a variety of medical issues, including injury, stroke, poisoning, or an infection. Here, our Matthews Emergency and Specialty Vets explain why you should get to a veterinary hospital right away.

Why does my dog look like hes drunk?

It’s scary to see your dog suddenly look drunk, not be able to walk, develop rapid, abnormal eye movement (called a nystagmus) and fall to his or her side. When this happens, one common benign cause may be due to “old dog vestibular disease.

What are the signs that my dog had a stroke?

Some signs of a stroke in dogs include a head tilt, circling, loss of balance, and unusual eye movements. If you think that your dog is having a stroke, don’t delay getting them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is mostly supportive, and it’s important to treat any underlying causes.

What are the signs of poisoning in a dog?

  • Agitation.
  • Tremors.
  • Convulsions.
  • Nausea and/or vomiting.
  • Seizures.
  • Heart problems.
  • Diarrhoea.
  • Kidney failure.

What happens when a dog has a mini stroke?

Pet owners often don’t notice signs of a mild stroke in their companions since animals can’t tell you when they feel dizzy, lose sight in one eye, or have memory problems. Unfortunately, pets usually experience strokes on a grander scale than people and require immediate veterinary attention.

What does a seizure look like in a dog?

What Are the Symptoms of Seizures? Symptoms can include collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure.

Why does my dog seem off balance?

Your dog’s loss of balance could be the result of a serious medical issue, such as poisoning, stroke, injury, or an infection. Today, our Winston-Salem vets explain why you should head to an animal hospital right away if your dog is experiencing balance issues.

What can cause a dog’s equilibrium to be off?

Injury, stroke, poisoning, and infections can all cause your dog to lose its balance. Because these things can be dangerous or even life threatening, call your vet immediately if your dog is falling down.

Is vestibular disease in dogs fatal?

Symptoms of vestibular disease may look distressing but try to keep in mind that this condition is not fatal, and most dogs completely recover within two to three weeks.

How long does a vestibular episode last in dogs?

Symptoms of vestibular disease are often most severe during the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours, with improvements seen within seventy-two hours. Most dogs often recover within two to three weeks.

How can you tell if your dog has a brain tumor?

  1. Abnormal behavior/mental activity.
  2. Abnormal vision.
  3. Circling.
  4. A wobbly gait.
  5. Head tilt.
  6. Hypersensitivity to neck pain.

Did my dog have a stroke or a seizure?

After a stroke, your dog might have problems with bowel and bladder control. Incontinence is a symptom of a seizure in progress, but is unlikely to be a continuing problem after a seizure has ended. Other seizure symptoms include falling over, shaking and having rigid, jerking convulsions in part or all of the body.

How do you know if dogs have Covid?

  1. Fever.
  2. Coughing.
  3. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
  4. Lethargy (unusual lack of energy or sluggishness)
  5. Sneezing.
  6. Runny nose.
  7. Eye discharge.
  8. Vomiting.

What are the symptoms of being slowly poisoned?

  • feeling and being sick.
  • diarrhoea.
  • stomach pain.
  • drowsiness, dizziness or weakness.
  • high temperature.
  • chills (shivering)
  • loss of appetite.
  • headache.

What are signs of kidney failure in dogs?

  • Weight loss.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Pale gums.
  • Loss of balance, or stumbling.
  • Chemical smell to breath.
  • Significant loss of appetite.

What are signs of parvo?

Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.

How does a dog act after a seizure?

Postictal phase: After the seizure, many dogs exhibit a postictal phase characterized by disorientation. This may last minutes to hours. The most commonly reported signs are behavior changes, prolonged sleepiness, confusion, transient blindness, and eating voraciously.

Can a dog recover from a stroke on his own?

Although there is no specific treatment for strokes in dogs and cats, most pets tend to recover within a few weeks. However, recovery may not be possible if the stroke has affected a vital part of the brain.

How long does a stroke last in a dog?

“Dogs can recover from strokes. Some dogs worsen over the initial 24-72 hours and then we begin to see signs of recovery. In general we expect dogs that are improving in the first three to five days to have a good recovery within four to six weeks’ time, some with residual deficits but still a good quality of life.”

What are the 4 types of seizures in dogs?

  • Generalized seizure or grand mal seizure. These are the most common types of seizures in dogs.
  • Focal or partial seizures.
  • Psychomotor seizure.
  • Idiopathic epilepsy.

What does a silent seizure look like in a dog?

What are the symptoms of a seizure in dogs? A seizure can have several manifestations, from a far-away look or twitching in one part of the face to a dog falling on its side barking, clenching and unclenching its teeth, urinating, defecating and paddling all four limbs.

What foods can trigger seizures in dogs?

What toxins cause seizures in dogs? Food that causes seizures. According to the ASPCA, caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol can cause your dog’s seizures.

What are signs of neurological disorders in dogs?

  • Circling.
  • Disorientation.
  • Head pressing.
  • Inability to use one or more limbs.
  • Pain, which may be indicated by vocalization, sensitivity to touch and/or behavior changes.
  • Seizures.
  • Sudden or unexplained weakness and/or stumbling.

Why is my dog lethargic and wobbly?

Things that can make your dog lethargic and weak can range from infection and disease to pain and medication. And because weakness and lethargy can indicate anything from a chronic condition to a life-threatening illness, you should always talk to your vet when you notice either symptom.

Craving More Content?

The Faithful Dog