Canine Facial Paralysis

A syndrome often referred to as peripheral vestibular syndrome, geriatric vestibular syndrome and idiopathic vestibular syndrome is a disorder that is common in older dogs although it can also occur in middle aged dogs as well. The sudden onset may be due to inflammation of the nerves connecting the inner ear to the cerebellum that control balance and spatial orientation. It usually lasts from a couple of days to three weeks. Few dogs have residual signs beyond this period like head tilt. The disease affects dogs that seem normal until the appearance of signs. Then there is sudden loss of balance with many dogs unable to even stand. Affected dogs may also show nystagmus. They may be nauseous from the 'sea sickness' effect of vestibular disease. Most dogs will not eat or drink unless hand fed or given water by hand due to their difficulty with fine motor movements necessary to eat or drink from a bowl. Thus nursing is important in this condition. There is no known treatment and some dogs relapse. However, even when dogs do not recover fully from this condition, they live a good life.

The differential diagnoses for this condition include: stroke, epilepsy and heart attacks.

The condition may arise from an inner ear infection that affects the nerves.