Why did my dog stagger and seem unbalanced after eating dinner?

If Lily seems completely fine otherwise I think you could monitor her tonight and contact your vet in the morning to see if they would recommend an exam. If she loses balance again, seems disoriented, or vomits is recommend seeing a vet tonight. It’s possible that she had a short seizure or other neurologic problem, or that she has low blood sugar or an electrolyte imbalance.

Hello. It sounds like she may have had a mild episode of a condition called Vestibular Syndrome, an imbalance in the inner ear(s). If it has been a while since she saw a vet, it would not be a good idea to have her checked out. At this age, 2chainz is considered a senior citizen & things can begin to change. A good wellness exam & geriatric bloodwork is highly recommended to make sure she is as healthy as possible going into her "golden" years. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I'm sorry that happened to your dog! It's always scary to see them disoriented. Based on what you've reported, I suspect she may have experienced a seizure. It sounds like she recovered without complication as they often do. My personal dog has epilepsy so I've seen this many times. I would record the symptoms and date on your calendar. I would consult with your veterinarian and report her symptoms (not an emergency unless she experiences another episode today). Your vet can perform a thorough exam and recommend any other diagnostics to make sure there is nothing obvious that needs treatment. Depending on what they find and if she has more episodes, appropriate treatment can be recommended.

That is very unusual. Is it possible Sadie got into something like medication or some type of drug? Search her environment very well to look for any evidence. Certain types of plants can also cause these signs so check your garden for any known toxic plants. Other potential causes could be a cardiac arrhythmia that comes and goes. I’m glad she is back to normal today. Keep a very close eye on her and if she does this again, try to have her seen while she is exhibiting the clinical signs. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi. This is definitely not normal. I would be concerned she has episodes of low glucose, a neurologic condition she may have been born with, or another possibility is an infection that is affecting her neurologic system. I recommend she get a full blood panel, try another food to entice her to eat more, and have a full neurologic exam done by your veterinarian or a neurologic specialist. Having none of her shots does put infection high on the list.

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.

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.