By Dr. Alison Norwich, DVM. Reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Davis, MVB
Dog owners will sometimes describe their dog as stumbling, uncoordinated, off balance, circling, falling over or ‘drunk’ when they first notice signs of ataxia (incoordination within the nervous system) in their dog. Similarly to humans, any kind of inner ear or vestibular disorders affects dogs’ balance and coordination, and is often the cause of incoordination issues.
Many other medical issues can also result in incoordination in dogs, from infections to poisoning to inflammation, and paying attention to your dog’s behavior can help your vet determine the underlying cause. Because some of these conditions can be dangerous or even life threatening to your dog, it’s always a good idea to seek veterinary attention early on.