How can I help my dog recover from vestibular disease?

Recovery from vestibular disease in dogs involves a combination of rest, medication, and home treatment. Make sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions and administer any medications as prescribed. As part of your dog’s treatment for vestibular disease, your veterinarian may recommend physical therapy.

Do dogs fully recover from vestibular disease?

Most dogs with idiopathic vestibular disease recover fully. Others have mild but persistent neurologic deficits (e.g., they have a head tilt or wobble a bit when they shake their heads), but these are rarely serious enough to adversely affect their quality of life.

Can you walk a dog with vestibular disease?

Avoid carrying your dog — They need time to re-calibrate their vestibular system, which will occur as they begin to navigate their space again. Help them walk by placing your hands on either side of their body, or use a harness to help guide and support them.

How long do vestibular episodes last in dogs?

The head tilt and stumbling often improve over a seven to ten-day period. Most patients are completely recovered within two to three weeks, although some will have residual symptoms such as a head tilt or mild “wobbling” for life.

Do vestibular problems go away?

Most of the time, labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis go away on their own. This normally takes several weeks. If the cause is a bacterial infection, your doctor will give you antibiotics. But most cases are caused by viral infections, which can’t be cured with antibiotics.

Can vestibular nerve damage be repaired?

The body has limited ability to repair damage to the vestibular organs, although the body can often recover from vestibular injury by having the part of the brain that controls balance recalibrate itself to compensate.

Can vestibular nerve repair itself?

How long is vestibular therapy?

How long does it take? Vestibular rehabilitation therapy typically takes between 6 to 8 weeks, attending therapy 1 or 2 times each week. However, some patients can successfully address their issues with balance or dizziness in just 1 or 2 sessions of therapy and can see results in as little as 48 hours.

How long does it take vestibular therapy to work?

Can vestibular damage reversed?