Everything you need to know about ataxia in dogs

Ataxia is defined as abnormal or uncoordinated body movements caused by dysfunction in the nervous system and is itself a symptom of a larger health issue. While most dogs happily trot along, a dog with ataxia may wobble, tilt, stumble, or have an unbalanced gait. The abnormal movements can affect their limbs, head, and body.

Depending on which part of the nervous system is affected, three primary types of ataxia can occur in dogs.

Proprioceptive (sensory) ataxia

Proprioceptive ataxia occurs when there is a disruption in the sensory pathways that provide information about the position of the body in space. For example, ataxia can occur if the spinal cord is compressed due to a bulging disk, or when a lesion is present in the spinal cord or brain stem. Common symptoms include knuckling of the paws, a delayed or absent ability to correct limb positioning, and an unsteady gait.

Vestibular ataxia

The vestibular system controls balance and spatial orientation. Vestibular ataxia can be caused by problems in the inner ear or brainstem, resulting in a loss of equilibrium or balance. In addition to ataxia, you may see changes in your pup’s head and neck movements (such as a head tilt), circling or falling towards one side, nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movements), and nausea or vomiting.

Cerebellar ataxia

Cerebellar ataxia occurs when the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordination,  movement, and balance, is damaged. Dogs with this type of ataxia may show hypermetria (an exaggerated “goose-stepping” gait), have a wide stance, and sway back and forth.

Clinical signs vary slightly between the three types of ataxia. In general, you need to look for:

• Tipping, leaning, stumbling, swaying, circling. Dogs with ataxia may be unable to walk in a straight line and adopt movement behaviors like walking in circles or tripping.
• Abnormal gait. Dogs with cerebellar ataxia may have a “good-stepping” gait (hypermetria) with a wide stance and swaying. Those with proprioceptive ataxia may drag or cross their limbs, or their paws may knuckle under.
• Decreased appetite. Dogs may lose their appetite due to the nausea they feel from vestibular ataxia. Ataxia can also make eating more difficult due to poor motor function.
• Loss of coordination and balance. The vestibular system controls balance and when disrupted, dogs can lose their balance and look outwardly clumsy.
• Lethargy. Dogs with any form of ataxia can experience profound tiredness that prevents them from going about their daily routine.
• Head/body tilting to the side. With vestibular ataxia, dogs may tilt or fall to one side
• Trouble hearing. Vestibular ataxia can be the result of an inner ear infection, which  may also make hearing difficult.
• Nystagmus. Rhythmic, abnormal eye movements that go up and down or side to side are often present with vestibular ataxia.

Ataxia can be caused by many different things. As with any illness, some cases are mild while others can be severe. Causes of ataxia include, but aren’t limited to:

• Stroke. Strokes in dogs — as in humans — can disrupt blood flow and cause damage to the brain leading to ataxia, among other symptoms. While it’s often the first thing that comes to mind, luckily, strokes are much less common in dogs.
• Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). This disease Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources is a common source of back pain in older dogs but also in younger dogs of certain breeds. The severity of the injury can range from mild discomfort to paralysis.
• Old dog vestibular disease. Also known as idiopathic vestibular disease, this ailment stems from issues affecting the dog’s vestibular system that controls balance and spatial orientation. It generally resolves with time and supportive care.
• Toxin ingestion. Things like rodenticide, ethylene glycol and chocolate are toxic to dogs and ingestion can cause neurological issues.
• Hypoglycemia. Classified as low blood sugar, hypoglycemia can cause clinical signs of ataxia, seizures, lethargy, vomiting, and coma and be seen in small puppies who are not eating frequently enough, diabetics who receive too much insulin, or secondary to other medical conditions.
• Thyroid issues. A more severe neuromuscular sign of unmanaged hypothyroidism is ataxia.
• Medications. Unfortunately, some medications can cause ataxia, especially if your dog overdoses or their medications interact wrongly.
• Trauma. A fall, kick, or other injury to the head or spine.
• Infection or Inflammation. Of the brain, spine, or ear.
• Developmental abnormality. Some dogs are born with structural issues, such as cerebellar hypoplasia or liver shunts, which can cause ataxia among other symptoms.
• Tumors. Benign or malignant tumors can press on the spinal cord or brain causing neurological symptoms.
• Degeneration. Conditions like degenerative myelopathy — which causes a loss of spinal cord tissue — can contribute to ataxia.
• Systemic infection. Infections like canine distemper can cause ataxia in the cerebellum part of your dog’s brain.

At the vet you’ll need to share when symptoms started and any incidents that could have led to this condition (like an accident or fall). Be prepared to give your veterinarian a list of symptoms that you’ve observed in your dog and how long they’ve occurred. From there, your vet will perform a physical exam and then potentially other various tests like:

• Neurologic exam. Veterinarians will assess Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources your dog’s gait, and observe how they walk, stand, and move. They will evaluate their sight, hearing, and facial function (cranial nerves), check their reflexes and test their proprioception (ability to recognize the position of their limbs), among other things.
• Specimen samples. Your vet may need to take samples to send for laboratory analysis. Most often this is blood or urine, but in rare cases, a specialist may take biopsies or complete a spinal tap.
• Ear (otoscopic) exam. Your vet will look into your dog’s ear canal to check for swelling, inflammation, or infection, in case an inner ear infection is involved.
• Imaging. This can include radiographs, myelography, Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources MRI’s and CT scans, to determine where the disease is located and if it’s localized to the spinal cord, cerebellum, or peripheral vestibular system.

Most of the tests above can be done at a veterinarian’s office but advanced imaging may require anesthesia conducted at a referral center.

The treatment for ataxia depends on the underlying condition, its severity, and the age of your dog. Your dog’s diagnosis will help your vet know more so they can create the right treatment plan.

Vets will focus on eliminating the underlying cause. Depending on the cause, this could be through medication (such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatories) or surgery. For example, if a cancerous lesion is to blame, your vet may refer you to a veterinary oncologist to start chemotherapy. Sometimes these treatments will be enough to relieve the symptoms of ataxia. Unless the underlying condition is life-threatening, dogs can be treated on an outpatient basis.

Another important part of treatment may be supportive care focusing on managing clinical signs. This may include medications (such as anti-nausea and pain medications) and making changes to your home environment to keep your dog safe and comfortable.

Some cases, such as old dog vestibular disease, will generally resolve with time and supportive care. However, it’s possible that your dog may have to live with their ataxia symptoms.

👉 Don’t give your dogs any medication without a veterinarian’s permission.

Depending on the underlying cause, some dogs can live full, happy lives with ataxia symptoms. In general, dogs with ataxia due to ear conditions or toxins tend to improve with treatment. Other causes, such as tumors, may be permanent and progressive. If your dog has a lifelong ataxia condition, you may need to make some lifestyle changes. Even dogs with less severe symptoms of ataxia will need support on a daily basis.

Some potential long-term changes to expect are:

• A loss of balance
• A permanent tilt of the head
• An unsteady gait
• Trouble eating by themselves
• Difficulty going on walks

Dogs with ataxia need a safe environment and sometimes even constant monitoring. This includes blocking their access to stairs, keeping them contained in a crate when you can’t observe them, and removing access to anywhere a dog could fall and hurt themselves. If you notice symptoms increasing, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Diagnosis of ataxia can only be done by a professional vet, so if you’re concerned about any changes in your pet take them to the vet. Ataxia is a symptom of a larger health issue and while it can be scary, it’s often manageable, and treatment options are available to help.