Ataxia is a neurological condition that can affect dogs. This condition is characterized by a lack of coordination, unsteady gait, and difficulty maintaining balance. Often, ataxia is a clinical sign of an underlying disorder affecting the nervous system. Here’s what to know about ataxia in dogs:

What is Ataxia in Dogs?

Ataxia is a condition that affects a dog’s body movements and causes coordination issues. This happens if a dog experiences any damage to their nervous system, including the brain, nerves, or spinal cord. When damage occurs to the nervous system, the brain cannot communicate with the rest of the body.

These abnormal movements may occur in the head, body, legs, or all three areas. There are a few different types of ataxia that can occur. These types depend on where the damage to the nervous system is.

3 Types of Ataxia in Dogs

Three types of ataxia can occur in dogs: cerebellar, proprioceptive, and vestibular.

1. Cerebellar Ataxia

When the ataxia is found only in their cerebellum, it is called cerebellar ataxia. The cerebellum is what controls fine motor movements. Because it affects fine motor movements, dogs may look fine when still, but if they begin to move, their limbs may have trouble moving. Dogs with cerebellar ataxia may also exhibit head tremors.

2. Proprioceptive Ataxia

This type of ataxia means a dog has a lack of awareness of where their limbs are. When this happens, they will have difficulty with balance and coordination. When proprioceptive ataxia occurs, it’s because there is pressure on the spinal cord, often from a bulging disc or tumor. A bleeding blood vessel within the spinal cord may also cause proprioceptive ataxia.

3. Vestibular Ataxia

This type of ataxia occurs when there is an abnormal function of the brainstem or inner ear. This can be due to a lesion or infection. This abnormality can cause balance issues and is known as vestibular syndrome.

What Are Ataxia Symptoms in Dogs?

When a dog suffers from ataxia, the most notable symptom is a change in their movements or gait. A dog will become unsteady, almost like a baby learning to walk. They also will have a loss of balance, lethargy, a decrease in appetite, as well as stumbling or a struggle to find their footing.

However, each type of ataxia has some symptoms that are specific to it:

1. Cerebellar Ataxia

If a dog has cerebellar ataxia, they will have a walk with a gait called hypermetria, sometimes also called “goose-stepping”.

2. Proprioceptive Ataxia

Dogs with proprioceptive ataxia show symptoms of dragging their legs or crossing them.

3. Vestibular Ataxia

With vestibular ataxia, dogs may not be able to stand, have abnormal eye movements or head tilts, and may continually roll over. They may also begin vomiting.

These are all symptoms you should never ignore in your dog. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately.

What Causes Ataxia in Dogs?

There are a variety of causes of ataxia in dogs. These causes can range from mild to very serious. Some causes include:

• Infections, especially of the brain, inner ear, vertebrae, or spinal cord
• Degeneration of any of the spinal discs
• Head or spinal cord trauma
• Hypothyroidism
• Cushing’s Disease
• Some congenital defects, such as cerebellar hypoplasia
• Diet imbalances
• Medication overdose
• Hypoglycemia
• Medication interactions
• Ingesting toxic substances
• Degenerative changes to the cerebellum, spinal cord, or general nervous system
• Developmental issues of the cerebellum or spinal cord
• Brain tumor
• Inflammation in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
• Medication toxicity
• Pressure on the spinal cord

This is just an overview of ataxia in dogs. While it can be scary to see your dog struggle to walk or have odd movements, getting your dog to a vet is important. They can help diagnose the cause behind the ataxia and, hopefully, get your dog treatment or long-term care.