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. 

What causes a dog to lose balance and fall?

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.
 

Why is my dog suddenly wobbly?

Potential causes include inner/middle ear infections, intoxication, strokes, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases (meningitis), idiopathic vestibular disease (also called “old dog” vestibular syndrome), or other less likely causes.

Why is my dog stiff and falling over?

In a generalized or tonic-clonic seizure, the dog will typically be seen to suddenly fall on his side. The legs will first become stiff and this stiffening is often followed by rhythmic/jerky paddling motions. The head is often held back with the neck extended.

What is wrong with my dog walking sideways and falling over?

My dog is walking sideways and falling over; what’s going on? A few reasons your dog may be walking sideways are injury, hip dysplasia, and vestibular disease. If your dog has started to walk sideways, it’s best to have him evaluated by a veterinarian for an underlying condition.

Should I be worried if my dog is wobbly?

If your dog is swaying back and forth, the first thing you should do is have them examined by their vet. Often times, problems such as Idiopathic Vestibular disease will resolve in a few days, without any assistance from medication. However, many will need supportive care during this time.

Why would a dog suddenly be unable to stand?

However, a disturbance of balance can happen to any dog, and causes vary from more common issues like ear infections, inner ear tumors, and hypothyroidism to much more serious conditions like brainstem tumors, strokes, and brain inflammation. Therefore, a professional diagnosis is critical if your dog can’t stand up.

Why does my dog look like he’s losing his balance?

The vestibular system involves the middle and inner ear, several large cranial nerves, and the brain. Disequilibrium means an impaired sense of balance. Some of the most common causes of disequilibrium are trauma, middle ear infections, cancer and poisoning. Disequilibrium is more common in older dogs.

What does a dog stroke look like?

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 is the first signs of parvo in a dog?

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 do I know if my dog is suffering?

Dogs that are in pain often sleep more – they may be trying to heal, or it might even be difficult for them to move around and be active. A loss of appetite and noticeable differences in the amount of water they’re drinking are often common symptoms.
 

How do I know if my dog is suffering or in pain?

What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
 

What are the symptoms of a dog having a brain tumor?

The most common sign of a brain tumor in a dog is seizures.



Additional signs of a brain tumor may include:

• Abnormal behavior/mental activity.
• Abnormal vision.
• Circling.
• A wobbly gait.
• Head tilt.
• Hypersensitivity to neck pain.

What are the signs of a stroke in a dog?

Common dog stroke symptoms include:

• Loss of balance.
• Nausea or vomiting due to balance issues.
• Wandering in circles.
• Loss of body control.
• Unusual eye movements, such as back and forth movement or loss of blink reflexes.
• Head tilt.
• Weakness on one side.
• Seizures.

Is vestibular syndrome 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.
 

What does a stroke look like in a dog?

In the case of a stroke, your pet’s brain sends incorrect signals to their body. For example, your pet may not be able to respond to your spoken directions. Instead, he may move in a directionless fashion and seem to be walking in circles. He may appear as though he is drunk and be unable to walk in a straight line.
 

What to do if your dog is off balance?

Enlist the help of your vet



If you notice your dog is wobbly and off balance, call your vet right away. You may have a suspicion about which of these seven conditions is the culprit. However, your vet is the best person to help reach a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.
 

What is wobbly dog syndrome?

Wobbler syndrome is a disease of the neck (the cervical spine) that is seen in large and giant breeds of dog. These dogs experience compression of the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots, resulting in nervous system deficits and/or neck pain.

What is the first signs of parvo in a dog?

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.