What Is Vestibular Disease?

The vestibular system is responsible for balance and spatial awareness. It includes parts of the inner ear and brain that help pets know where their body is in space.

When this system is affected, pets may feel dizzy or disoriented, similar to vertigo in people.

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Which Pets Are Affected?

Vestibular disease can occur in pets of any age but is more commonly seen in:

• Older dogs and cats

• Pets with inner ear disease or infections

• Certain breeds predisposed to ear problems

In some cases, no underlying cause is found. This is often referred to as idiopathic vestibular disease.

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Common Signs of Vestibular Disease

Signs often develop suddenly and may include:

• Head tilt

• Loss of balance or falling to one side

• Circling

• Difficulty standing or walking

• Rapid or abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)

• Nausea or vomiting

• Disorientation or anxiety

Although these signs can be severe initially, they do not always indicate a poor long-term outcome.

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Diagnosis and Veterinary Support

Because vestibular signs can resemble other serious conditions, veterinary assessment is essential. Your veterinarian may:

• Perform a full physical and neurological examination

• Examine the ears

• Recommend blood tests or imaging

• Assess for other causes such as stroke, infection, or tumour

Determining whether the condition is peripheral (inner ear) or central (brain-related) helps guide treatment and prognosis.

Management and Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity. Many pets require supportive care, which may include:

• Anti-nausea medications

• Medications to reduce dizziness

• Treatment for ear infections if present

• Assistance with mobility and hydration

• Nursing care at home

Pets with idiopathic vestibular disease often show noticeable improvement within days to weeks.

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Living With a Pet With Vestibular Disease

During recovery, pets may need extra support, such as:

• A quiet, safe area to rest

• Non-slip flooring

• Assistance with toileting and movement

• Calm reassurance and routine

Most pets gradually adapt as their balance improves.

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Quality of Life Considerations

Many pets recover well or adapt to residual head tilt or mild balance changes. However, in some cases — particularly when vestibular disease is caused by progressive or central conditions — recovery may be limited.

Regular follow-up with your veterinarian helps assess progress and adjust care plans.

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When Comfort Becomes the Priority

If vestibular disease is severe, progressive, or associated with other serious illness, there may come a time when quality of life is significantly affected and improvement is unlikely.

In these situations, compassionate discussions with your regular veterinarian can help guide decisions around comfort-focused care and, when appropriate, end-of-life options such as euthanasia at home.

We’re Here to Support You

If you are reading this while navigating difficult decisions about your pet’s comfort or mobility, please know that you are not alone. We work alongside your regular veterinarian to support pets and families with empathy, dignity, and care.