Vestibular disease in dogs under UK primary veterinary care: Epidemiology and clinical management

Abstract

Background: Vestibular disease (VD), central or peripheral, can be a dramatic primary-care presentation. Current literature describes mostly dogs examined in referral centers. Hypothesis/Objectives: Describe the prevalence, presentation, clinical management, and outcomes of VD in dogs under primary veterinary care at UK practices participating in VetCompass. Animals: Seven hundred and fifty-nine vestibular cases identified out of 905 544 study dogs. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Potential VD cases clinically examined during 2016 were verified by reviewing clinical records for signalment, presenting clinical signs, treatments, and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with VD. Results: The overall prevalence of VD was 8 per 10 000 dogs (95% CI = 7-9). Median age at first diagnosis was 12.68 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.28-14.64). Compared with crossbreeds, breeds with the highest odds of VD diagnosis included French

The Use of Ondansetron for the Treatment of Nausea in Dogs With Vestibular Syndrome

“…36 Similar breeds were mentioned by some recently published studies consistent with our ndings. 2,37 In the present study, the median age at onset of neurological de cits was 115 months (9.58 years). Median age reported recently elsewhere ranged from 6.8 years to 12.68 years.…”

“…8,29 Vomiting is often seen and described in vestibular disorders, 31 however, the prevalence of preceding nausea has not been described. Radulescu et al (2020) and Schunk et al (1988) described a prevalence of vomiting of 25.7% and 40%, respectively. 2,32 This is consistent with our results showing an overall prevalence of vomiting in 31.3% of dogs.…”

“…Radulescu et al (2020) and Schunk et al (1988) described a prevalence of vomiting of 25.7% and 40%, respectively. 2,32 This is consistent with our results showing an overall prevalence of vomiting in 31.3% of dogs. Nevertheless, all dogs in our study showed clinical signs and behaviour suggestive of nausea.…”

“…Dogs with dysfunctions of the vestibular system are frequently encountered in primary veterinary care, 1 with an overall prevalence of 0.08% in primary care and an even higher prevalence of 0.36% in dogs aged 9 years or older. 2 Dysfunctions of the vestibular system do manifest in various neurological clinical signs, such as head tilt, nystagmus, or ataxia. 3,4 Additionally, signs of kinetosis (motion sickness) can also occur due to the fact that the nucleus of the solitary tract, which is responsible for nausea and emesis, receives vestibular input.…”

Vestibular syndrome in dogs: how to keep a level head

“…Hanne B Gredal Vestibular syndrome in dogs: how to keep a level head DOGS with vestibular signs such as head tilt, ataxia and nystagmus are common patients in the veterinary clinic (Figs 1 and 2). 1 They may present with quite dramatic clinical signs -some may not be able to stand at all, while others struggle to establish eye contact because of a jerk nystagmus. These cases look severe, and they can be.…”