Why is my dog losing balance and struggling to walk straight?

That is very unusual. There are several things that come to mind that could cause the signs. Ingesting toxins, an inner ear infection, stroke or viral infections are all possible. Anytime a pet appears off-balance you should be concerned and I recommend to take Nigel in to see a veterinarian right away. The doctor will need to perform a few basic tests to try to figure out the cause of the imbalance. Treatment will depend on the cause. Best of luck and I hope this is helpful. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

This could be anything from symptoms of poisoning to an ear infection or vestibular disease to a tumor or neurological condition. I recommend getting her seen by your vet as soon as possible for an exam, bloodwork, possibly x-rays, so your vet can determine the cause of Portia's balance problems and be better able to advise you on treatments.

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.

Since it has been happening for some time and she has recently developed new symptoms, Emma should be examined by your veterinarian. A physical exam and bloodwork (CBC, chemistry/thyroid panels, urinalysis) may diagnose metabolic or neurologic issues, especially in a senior pet. Severe, chronic ear infections may also affect balance.

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.

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!

That is very unusual. I recommend to play it safe and have George examined today. Try to record the behavior and show it to the doctor. During the examine, the doctor will look for clues to help determine the cause. George may get some bloodwork as well. Best to be safe! Please feel free to post any additional questions.