Dog's Apparent loss of Equilibrium & Balance

There are many diseases that can cause, in their initial stage, similar malfunctions and it's very important to get the dog checked right away to be able to catch the problem on time. Any information that you have on the dog's behavior will be very helpful to the veterinarian, as well as describing the first symptoms as this information can help to diagnose the cause.

Muscular weakness and collapses that are followed by severe vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes give the impression that the dog inclines himself sideways when walking. There are other nerve and muscular disorders that can have the same effects.

Spinal cord lesions can paralyze one side of the dog's body. This can also affect the right or left legs. Some diseases can cause a dog to have ataxia, which causes the dog to become uncoordinated and is caused by temporary or permanent neurological impairment. Dobermans have been known to suffer from this disorder. Dachshund's can suffer invertebrate alterations that cause paralysis and weakness in the behind legs, which causes them to stumble when they walk.

Arthritic stiffness in older dogs can affect them more intensely on one side of their body. Dogs with this disorder stumble when they walk and it looks as if the dog is permanently dizzy. The lack of flexibility and clumsiness are more apparent right after the dog awakes in the morning, but the symptoms improve during the course of the day.

Total or partial blindness can cause a dog to trip or bang against objects, and the owner may think there is a loss of equilibrium.

Ingesting sedatives, including those that are anti-convulsive for treating epileptic fits, can sometimes cause a dog to stubble and walk insecurely. Dogs also have difficulty coordinating their movements when they have just woken up from general anesthesia.