My dog is dizzy, swaying, and can't stand. What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog is like dizy swaying back and fourth hardy can't stand weak .
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 20th, 2015
Your dog needs to be examined by a vet right away to determine the cause. Your vet can run labwork to help diagnose and treat. It could be secondary to an infection, metabolic disease, endocrine disease, neoplasia, or a neurological problem.
7Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 17th, 2017
Sorry that your dog is having this problem. He really needs to be examined by a vet to determine the cause. He could have a neurological problem or an orthopedic problem causing the unsteadiness. Your vet can do a full neurological and orthopedic exam and take x-rays, if needed, to help diagnose. He could have an infection, vestibular disease, arthritis, strain/sprain, etc. and may need an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and joint supplements to help treat his problem. Hope he feels better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Yesterday after going for our morning walk my dog had issues laying down was like he could not get comfortable. later in the afternoon when I took him out he was a bit wobbly/unsteady on his feet. We live in apartment and on way back he could not mak
Sorry that your dog is having this problem. He really needs to be examined by a vet to determine the cause. He could have a neurological problem or an orthopedic problem causing the unsteadiness. Your vet can do a full neurological and orthopedic exam and take x-rays, if needed, to help diagnose. He could have an infection, vestibular disease, arthritis, strain/sprain, etc. and may need an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and joint supplements to help treat his problem. Hope he feels better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog head starting to shake just now we gave her a shower and she also wont respond and lost total control of balance
Sami could have been exposed to a toxic substance that is causing her to be unable to stand normally. There could also be an infection in the middle ear, or a nerve problem that is affecting her balance. She needs to be examined by a vet right away to determine the cause of the problem and get appropriate treatment, which will depend on what is causing the symptoms.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
3 days ago my dog had foam coming out of her mouth while she smacked her mouth, it happened 4 times, each lasting 30 secs to a minute. A day later her eyes sometimes looked dizzy/unfocused. She has also been walking slow and she sometimes looks dizzy
Snow needs to see the veterinarian today. Dizziness is never normal and can indicate many things including toxin ingestion, drug exposure, an infection in the brain, brain cancer, low blood sugar, an inner ear infection and other serious reasons. A physical exam and bloodwork are needed to begin figuring out the cause and the best treatment. Other diagnostics may also be indicated. The lip smacking may indicate nausea which has many many causes and may be related to whatever is making her feel dizzy. A bump on her head could be many things. It could be an inflamed cyst but something like a cancerous Mast Cell Tumor can also behave the same way. Make sure to discuss all three of these things with your vet. I hope they figure things out quickly and that she gets back to normal quickly.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been walking weirdlyfor the past 5 day. Its getting worse .. it is walking with its hind limbs widespread staggering as it does so and fall flat after 1 min. It cannot get up till about 1 hr . Its not barking nor eating
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian right away if at all possible. The symptoms you have described can be the result of an intoxication, orthopedic pain such as arthritis or a neurological problem. An examination will be performed and x-rays may be needed to diagnose the problem. From there, appropriate treatment can be prescribed. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog can't stand up on his own and whenever i try to carry him up he collapses the moment i release him. He refuses to eat or drink anything and keeps shivering. He also keeps licking himself.
It sounds like your dog needs to be examined by a vet to determine the cause. It is very concerning that he can't stand on his own and collapses. Your vet can run blood work and take an x-ray, if needed, to diagnose the problem and then determine the best way to treat. He could have a problem with his spine, heart disease, metabolic, endocrine problem, etc. Please call your vet and have him seen as soon as possible.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my dog seems to have vertigo. he is still eating a and going to the bathroom but keeps his head down and seems like he has vertigo
It's possible. I am unsure what kind of dog or your pets age as you didn't indicate in the description, but certain breeds develop this more and it is often seen more-so in older dogs. An underlying neurological condition, brain tumor, or even a spinal problem could be the underlying cause. He would require a good physical examination however to make that determination and to see if any treatment options are available depending on what the underlying cause is found to be.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have an older dog that recently had a issues with her balance. She's not steady on her feet- esp in her back legs. Today she's been acting weird, constantly moving, super heavy panting, circling and she keeps moving her head and eyes back and forth
She does need to see a vet as soon as you can as this sounds like a neurological problem. It may be a stroke, an inner ear infection, or vestibular disease. Your vet will examine her and start her on medicine to help with the dizziness and off balance so she can rest. Most regain normal function with time and treatment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my dog is tilting his head sideways, cant seem to stand up straight, and he fell when i threw him a treat. i am worried about him because this is very strange behavior.
That is very unusual. There are several things that come to mind that could cause the signs. Ingesting toxins, an inner ear infection, stroke or viral infections are all possible. Anytime a pet appears off-balance you should be concerned and I recommend to take Nigel in to see a veterinarian right away. The doctor will need to perform a few basic tests to try to figure out the cause of the imbalance. Treatment will depend on the cause. Best of luck and I hope this is helpful. Please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is 1 year and last Thursday at night she was rocking her head side to side and when she got on the floor her back legs would either slide down or she would be able to walk but she'll stumble and appear to be dizzy she would also not eat she c
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. With your description, I would be concerned about something neurological causing these symptoms. Encephalitis and other neurological causes may lead to these symptoms. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Nikki for further testing so that the most appropriate treatment can be recommended. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my dog earlier today vomitted and now as he was eating he just started shaking and couldnt walk and he couldnt stand up just kept falling please please help me im worried pleaseee
Difficulty walk or standing, also known as ataxia, is definitely a cause for concern. This may be caused by neurological issues or a toxin. Xhesi should be seen by a vet immediately to determine the cause and be stabilized if necessary.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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