Why is my dog losing balance and confused? How to diagnose ataxia?

Poor guy. I would absolutely think about. Neurologist consult but the first thing that should be done is an exam by your regular vet and bloodwork/urinalysis done to rule out any other detectable underlying cause. Plus the neurologist will want to have you referred by your regular vet in order to see Oskar. Mainly what we want to rule out first is any underlying liver issue (hepatic encephalopathy or a liver shunt). Liver problems can for the most part be treated through your regular vet. I hope that your pup turns out ok and that you are able to get to the bottom of his neurological symptoms. Best wishes and take care.

It's hard to tell based on your explanation, but my first guess is that he has [cerebellar hypoplasia](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/cerebellar-hypoplasia). Keep in mind, a full neurologic exam and some testing would be needed to get an actual diagnosis, so this is just a guess. I would recommend scheduling an appointment with a veterinary neurologist if you'd like additional information. You can locate a specialist in Internal Medicine or Neurology at [this website](https://www.acvim.org/).

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The signs you describe can be caused by an irregularity in the spine - this may cause the bones to compress the actual spinal cord, damaging the nerves that are responsible for controlling the back legs and tail. A veterinary neurologist would be able to further diagnose the condition and propose a treatment plan, your original vet may be able to recommend one. I would be happy to take a look at x-rays or bloodwork and answer any questions you may have about them!

Hello, It sounds like Taisie is experiencing some neurologic abnormalities. It is hard to say without physically examining her what the problem is, but some possibilities are spinal pain, a herniated disc, vestibular (inner ear) infection or disease, or a brain tumor. Any of these issues could cause drastic changes in balance and falling, but the treatment for each one would be very different. I would recommend taking Taisie into her veterinarian to be examined. They can offer you the best diagnostic and treatment plan based on their physical exam. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Yes, I would have Jessie checked out by your mom's vet. Neurologic issues, toxicity, underlying illnesses, pain/arthritis, etc can all be potential causes of what you are describing, so an exam is best to figure out the problem.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like Snoop is having an issue keeping his balance. This can be due to an issue with his vestibular system, or the part of the nervous system responsible for compensating for changes in location (for example, in a human, getting dizzy on a merry go round is a result of your vestibular system getting "confused"). This is especially likely if he is falling to one side consistently. Vestibular issues can come from the nervous system itself or from the inner ear. Snoop can also have a generalized weakness causing him to fall over, which can be due to a toxin, dehydration, low blood sugar, and many other causes. Snoop should definitely be seen by a vet as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause of his loss of balance and initiate the appropriate treatment.

The symptoms you describe can be caused by a neurological condition such as a stroke, spinal cord inflammation, or a mass. It can also be due to back/neck issues or an ear infection. Certain toxins or viruses can also be to blame. It is important for Mia to be seen by a vet to determine the underlying cause and begin the appropriate treatment. There are services in many cities that provide home visits from vets, who can perform a neurological exam on Mia. In the meantime, Mia should be kept quiet and calm in case she is in pain. I hope this helps and that all is well with Mia!