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

Can Ataxia in Dogs Be Cured?

Depending on the cause of ataxia, it can be cured. However, the timeframe may vary. This can range anywhere from a week or two, or it could be over the course of a couple of months. Your dog will also probably need frequent checkups by their veterinarian to make sure any symptoms are resolving. Ataxia that is caused by congenital defects can never be cured.

How Vets Diagnose Ataxia in Dogs

If your veterinarian suspects your dog might have ataxia, they will need to gather some information, including your dog’s history, as well as perform a physical exam. If they believe ataxia is present, they will most likely run some tests to determine any underlying causes.

These tests can include:

• Ear exam
• Blood work
• Complete neurological exam
• Imaging
• Cerebrospinal fluid test

Ear Exam

Your veterinarian will take a look in your dog’s ear canal to look for any areas of inflammation, infection, or swelling. This will indicate that vestibular ataxia is present. Ear infections are a common health problem in dogs and can cause ataxia.

Blood Work

Blood may be drawn from your dog to analyze red and white blood cell count, platelets, clotting function, as well as organ functions. These tests can show signs of inflammation, underlying diseases, toxins, or infection. It may also indicate any signs your dog’s thyroid needs to be checked.

Complete Neurological Exam

During a complete neurological exam, your veterinarian will take a look at your dog’s nervous system as a whole. They will analyze your dog’s posture, gait, nerve function, and reflexes. Looking at the neurological system as a whole can help identify any abnormalities that may need further specific testing.

Imaging

If your vet finds any abnormalities in the nervous system, they may want to do some imaging tests. These tests provide a detailed look at the nervous and vestibular system. This can help your vet identify the exact site of any damage that may be causing the ataxia. These tests can include an X-ray, a CT scan, or an MRI.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Test

Sometimes, your veterinarian will need to take a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid to test for any infection or inflammation that can cause ataxia.

How to Treat Ataxia in Dogs

Just like any other disease that may have multiple underlying causes, ataxia treatment will depend on the root cause. Oftentimes, treatments, like pain management, and other supportive care measures, like anti-nausea medication, are common ataxia treatments.

Safe Environment at Home

You will also want to create a safe environment in your home for a dog with ataxia. You may want to figure out if you have any slippery flooring that might be a danger to your dog. Adding grippers to slippery floors is a great way to give a dog more traction. This is also helpful when learning how to care for senior dogs.

Medication

If the ataxia is caused by inflammation, a virus, or an infection, those causes will be treated with anti-inflammatories or antibiotics. If your dog is experiencing pain, they may be prescribed pain medication such as gabapentin.

Exercise Restrictions and Physical Therapy

Some dogs may have exercise restrictions during the healing process. They may also require some physical therapy to help them regain normal movements.

Regular Checkups and Monitoring

Your dog will probably need regular checkups to monitor the recovery process. Hospitalization may be necessary during the recovery process. If the ataxia is caused by a tumor on the spine or in the brain, surgery might be necessary for removal.

Some causes of ataxia are incurable, and these dogs may experience signs and symptoms that continue to progress. In some cases, these dogs, unfortunately, may need to be euthanized.

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.