Congenital Vestibular Disease in Dogs
Congenital vestibular disease has been reported in German Shepherd Dogs, English Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Siamese and Burmese cats. This disease is likely a peripheral syndrome affecting the vestibular apparatus, and labyrinthitis has been identified histologically in some pups.
Clinical signs of vestibular disease (head tilt, ataxia, nystagmus) are bilateral and can be accompanied by deafness.
Congenital vestibular disease appears to be inherited, and an autosomal recessive mutation in the PTPRQ gene has been identified in Doberman Pinschers. There is no treatment.
Deafness is permanent; however, the clinical signs of vestibular dysfunction can improve as the affected animal learns to compensate.
For More Information
Dewey CW, Da Costa RC, eds. Practical Guide to Canine and Feline Neurology. 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell; 2016.
Guevar J, Olby NJ, Meurs KM, Yost O, Friedenberg SG. Deafness and vestibular dysfunction in a Doberman Pinscher puppy associated with a mutation in the PTPRQ gene. J Vet Internal Med. 2018;32(2):665-669.
Also see pet owner content regarding brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders of dogs and cats.
