When dogs stagger, injuries or illnesses are usually behind it. The most common causes of this are dehydration, vestibular syndrome and problems with the musculoskeletal system.
In some cases it may also be a medical emergency. These include, among other things, strokes, distemper and acute anemia. [1]
So let’s go through all 12 causes together.
Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.
#1 Vestibular syndrome
If the dog's balance system is pathologically disturbed, this is called “vestibular syndrome”. So it is a neurological disease.
Two types are distinguished here:
- Peripheral vestibular syndrome due to inner ear problems (more common)
- Central vestibular syndrome due to problems in the central nervous system (less common)
Typical symptoms here are:
- Suddenly falling over
- Balance problems
- Tumbling & swaying
- Disorientation
- Trembling of the eyes [2]
Here you should urgently visit the vet. Peripheral vestibular syndrome is most often caused by a middle or inner ear infection.
In this case, a medical cleaning of the ear in combination with antibiotics or other anti-inflammatory medications is usually sufficient for treatment.
Central vestibular syndrome, on the other hand, is primarily triggered by injuries, tumors and infections. Here, treatment depends on the underlying cause. [3]
When dogs suddenly stagger, have problems with their balance and tremble with their eyes, vestibular syndrome is often to blame. In order to prevent permanent damage, you should consult the veterinarian immediately.
#2 Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for diseases that are associated with reduced brain performance. Alzheimer's is therefore only one of many possible forms of dementia.
According to studies, around 3 out of 10 dogs over the age of eleven suffer from dementia. For dogs over fifteen years old, the figure is almost 7 out of 10. [4]
So if your dog is older and suddenly sways or staggers, this could be due to dementia. Other typical signs of this are:
- Loss of orientation
- Unusual defiance
- Restless walking around
- Incontinence despite being house trained
- Aggressive behavior [5]
Unfortunately, dementia is currently considered incurable. The progression of the disease cannot be prevented, but it can be slowed down significantly through mental support.
Tools like this intelligence toy from Amazon are ideal for this. Because it forces you to think in a playful way. That also explains the 25,000 reviews on Amazon.
Sudden staggering combined with disorientation and incontinence can indicate dementia. Basically, this can occur at any age. However, older dogs are statistically affected much more often.
#3 Dehydration
When you think of dehydration, you probably intuitively think of drinking too little. But it can also be due to excessive water loss or a lack of electrolytes.
In addition to staggering, the following symptoms often occur:
- Heavy panting
- Dark urine color
- Balance problems
- Stinky urine
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of skin elasticity
- weight loss [6]
To test your dog for possible dehydration, you can check skin elasticity. To do this, take a small piece of skin on your back and press it together slightly.
When properly hydrated, the skin should immediately bounce back to its original position. If there is a lack of water, however, it declines much more slowly.
If dehydration occurs naturally, simply encouraging the dog to drink may be enough. However, if the lack of water is caused by illness, you should go to the vet.
If dogs stagger and have been panting heavily for a long time, dehydration may be to blame. This can be found out relatively easily by checking skin elasticity. If you have persistent symptoms, you should consult your veterinarian.
This website is for sale.
#4 Back problems
Numerous nerve fibers run through the spinal cord and connect the brain to the rest of the body.
Disturbances in these nerve fibers can therefore also lead to certain muscles no longer being able to be controlled and the dog beginning to stagger and sway.
Typical causes here are:
- Herniated disc
- Inflammation
- Degenerative disc disease
- Tumor diseases
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Other injuries [7]
Affected dogs often react sensitively when you touch them on the back. However, other symptoms can also occur:
If you suspect back problems, you should consult the vet. Numerous causes can be diagnosed using a simple x-ray.
The treatment depends on the cause. In many cases, physical therapy is enough. In serious cases, an operation may also be necessary.
Back problems that affect the nerve fibers can paralyze the entire musculoskeletal system. Affected dogs often walk crookedly or stagger around the area. A veterinarian should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
#5 Anemia
If there are too few red blood cells circulating in the blood, this is called anemia. Doctors also refer to this as “anemia”.
The problem? Red blood cells are responsible, among other things, for transporting oxygen to the muscles and brain.
The result? Muscles and organs that do not receive enough oxygen cannot work properly. The most common symptoms of this are:
- Low stamina
- Loss of appetite
- Dog staggers
- Fast pulse
- Pale gums
- Blood around urine [9]
Typical causes include injuries, parasites, tumors, internal bleeding and a variety of other diseases.
A blood sample is usually taken for diagnosis. If the proportion of red blood cells is below 35%, then there is actually anemia. [10]
The treatment here depends on the cause. In mild cases, medication is sufficient. In serious cases, a blood transfusion or even surgery may be necessary.
Too few red blood cells in the blood lead to a long-term lack of oxygen to the muscles and organs. In addition to staggering, this is also often noticeable in abnormally low endurance. The veterinarian should be consulted here.
#6 Wobbler Syndrome
Wobbler syndrome gets its name from the fact that it often causes those affected to walk wobbly.
This is nerve damage in the cervical spine area. Large dog breeds and male dogs are said to be affected around twice as often. [11]
Typical signs here are:
- Loss of coordination
- Neck pain
- Tumbling and swaying
- Dog runs unusually slowly
- Feeling of weakness [12]
The exact cause of this is still unclear. Statistically, however, Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers are said to be most commonly affected.
Depending on the severity, treatment may include anti-inflammatory medications or surgery. The latter is preferred here because it solves the problem permanently. [13]
If the dog sways or staggers and only runs very slowly compared to usual, then wobbler syndrome is often responsible. This nerve damage in the cervical vertebrae area can sometimes be accompanied by severe pain. Immediate treatment is therefore recommended.
#7 Muscle weakness
Muscle weakness can be caused by various causes. In addition to a lack of energy and muscle loss, illnesses can also be responsible.
Among other things, the neurological autoimmune disease called “Myasthenia Gravis” can also be behind it. Here the signal transmission between nerve and muscle is disturbed.
The most common signs of this include:
- Suddenly falling over
- Sleeping with your eyes open
- Rapid exhaustion
- Difficulty swallowing
- Staggering and limping [14]
The German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Springer Spaniel and all terrier breeds are said to be most commonly affected.
If a lack of energy or muscle loss is to blame, treatment usually consists of a change in diet combined with strengthening exercises.
There is currently no cure for myasthenia gravis. Nevertheless, the symptoms can be greatly reduced by making lifestyle adjustments. [15]
Acute or chronic muscle weakness can cause dogs to suddenly start to stagger and then even fall over. One-off complaints are often harmless. Chronic problems, on the other hand, are usually caused by illnesses.
#8 Stroke
If certain areas of the brain suddenly no longer function due to a circulatory disorder in the brain, then we are talking about a stroke.
A distinction is made between 2 different types:
- Ischemic stroke due to blockage of an artery to the head (more common)
- Hemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding in the brain (less common)
However, the symptoms are almost identical. In addition to sudden staggering and swaying, there are usually other signs:
- Lateral head position
- Unusual eye position
- Dog falls over
- Change in personality
- Loss of coordination
- fainting [16]
A stroke usually only lasts a few minutes. However, under certain circumstances it can last for several hours.
The causes of this are very diverse and cannot always be diagnosed. Incidentally, stroke is one of the most common causes of death in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Here you should go to the emergency medical service immediately. The treatment is then based on the suspected cause. [17]
Strokes cause certain areas of the brain to no longer function. When entering, affected dogs often stagger, tilt their heads to the side and fall over. However, prevention, diagnosis and treatment are comparatively difficult here.
#9 Musculoskeletal problems
The “musculoskeletal system” refers to all the bones, muscles and joints that are responsible for the dog’s movement.
Various injuries or misalignments can cause the entire musculoskeletal system to not function properly. Typical examples of these are:
- Tear of the cruciate ligament in the knee (“cruciate ligament rupture”)
- Malformation of the hip joint socket (“hip dysplasia”)
- Hereditary lameness (“Osteochondrosis Dissecans”)
- Dislocation of the kneecap (“patella luxation”) [18]
Doctors also differentiate between degenerative and…