Did you know that there is labyrinthitis in dogs, just like in humans? The disease manifests itself when there is an inflammation in the inner part of the dog's ear. Canine labyrinthitis can have several causes, but the most common is canine otitis. When the dog has labyrinthitis it has several symptoms related to loss of balance. To clarify more about this disease, the Paws of the House talked to the veterinary doctor specialized in neurology and veterinary acupuncture Magda Medeiros. She explained to us how canine labyrinthitis manifests itself, what is the treatment and even if there is a home remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs. check out!

What is canine labyrinthitis?

To understand what is labyrinthitis in dogs, we first need to understand a little about the dog's anatomy. The disease has this name because it is an inflammation in the labyrinth, a structure located in the inner ear of dogs. "The labyrinth is formed by a complex system of channels and the vestibule, which are responsible for detecting movements of the head and neck and contributeIts function is to control posture, balance and coordination. Canine labyrinthitis occurs because of an inflammation in the labyrinth, a condition that compromises posture and causes loss of balance.

Canine otitis and head trauma are some of the causes of canine labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis in dogs can have different causes, but it usually stems from canine otitis. "The most common cause is canine otitis interna, which is often preceded by infection of the outer and middle ear. Another common cause of canine labyrinthitis is idiopathic vestibular syndrome, a disease that has no known cause and affects adult dogs," the expert explains. In addition, she points outthat the use of antibiotics for long periods and excessive cleaning of the ear can damage the area due to contact. In addition, labyrinthitis in dogs can be caused by injuries such as head trauma, brain and ear tumors, poisoning, intoxication and canine hypothyroidism.

Dizziness, lack of coordination and head tilt are signs of labyrinthitis in dogs

To identify if your dog has labyrinthitis, it's important to look out for the signs. Usually, the dog shows balance problems and symptoms common to infections. Magda highlights some of the most common signs of canine labyrinthitis:

• Pain and discharge from the ear
• Head tilt or Head tilt (downwards, on the affected side)
• Incoordination or ataxia
• Loss of balance
• Vomit
• Nystagmus (involuntary movement that makes the eyes move rapidly from side to side, vertically or horizontally or in circles)
• Falls and bearings
• Dog walking in circles
• Deafness

Treatment of labyrinthitis in dogs depends on the cause

The best remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs is to take care of the source of the problem. Magda points out that for effective treatment it is important to have a quick diagnosis: "If otitis interna and canine labyrinthitis occur, the treatment is mainly based on the treatment of otitis with antibiotics for dogs and anti-inflammatory drugs. Sometimes it is necessary to drain the secretion from the ear tobacterial culture tests and pressure and pain relief."

Once the ear infection is treated, the symptoms of labyrinthitis in dogs tend to go away, but the dog may have impaired movement for a while. "The symptoms of canine labyrinthitis are usually transient, but in some cases head tilt, some incoordination and deafness may be persistent. If labyrinthitis in dogs is caused by part of the vestibular syndrome, usually the dog's movements are impaired.symptoms are also transient and resolve in a few days," he explains.

Is there a remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs?

To treat labyrinthitis in dogs, you need to take care of the problem that caused the condition. But you may be wondering: is there a remedy for canine labyrinthitis? Magda explains that some experts believe that the medicine used for humans can serve as a remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs too. "For the symptoms of labyrinthitis itself, some veterinary neurologists also"There are also drugs used for labyrinthitis in humans, but there are no scientific studies on the subject yet.

Home remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs is not recommended

In the search for a treatment for canine labyrinthitis, it is common to ask: is there a home remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs? Magda explains that not only does there not exist, but the use of any home remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs can be dangerous. "Topical application of irritating substances or oils can aggravate the infection and inflammation of the ear, causing more lesions. Warm compresses that can be used to treat labyrinthitis in dogs can be dangerous.can be dangerous in dogs, as the inflammation itself alters the sensitivity of the ear and can be uncomfortable for the animal." So don't try to make a home remedy for labyrinthitis in dogs. If you notice any signs, take your dog to the vet.

Is it possible to prevent labyrinthitis in dogs?

Labyrinthitis in dogs arises because of an existing problem in the pet's body. Therefore, the best way to prevent canine labyrinthitis is to avoid diseases such as canine otitis. To do this, check and clean the dog's ear frequently with specific and veterinary products. Do not pour water directly into the ear when bathing and keep the area always dry. In addition, Magdaadvises that caution should be exercised when applying medication to the ear to avoid deafness and also canine labyrinthitis.