Ataxia in Dogs and Cats: Understanding, Diagnosing & Supporting 🐾 | Vet Guide 2025

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc · Updated 2025

When your pet is stumbling around — almost “drunk” on their paws — they may be suffering from ataxia: a lack of coordinated voluntary movement not due to weakness or limb pain. It reflects a disturbance in the nervous system’s communication channels. 🧠🐾

Overview of Ataxia 🧭

Ataxia is a clinical sign—not a disease—characterised by irregular, uncoordinated movement. It is distinct from lameness, which involves pain or muscle weakness. Instead, ataxia arises when the brain, spinal cord, or inner ear fails to coordinate motion properly. Common signs include:

• Wide-based gait: legs splayed like a tightrope walker
• Knuckling: dragging feet or flipping paws when the top should be down
• Stumbling or swaying, head tremors, circling, or head‑tilt
• Nystagmus: involuntary eye flicking, especially in vestibular ataxia

Recognising these signs early is key to prompt diagnosis and supportive care. 💡

Types of Ataxia

1. Cerebellar Ataxia

The cerebellum—at the back of the brain—coordinates voluntary movement. Damage here leads to exaggerated, jerky movements, high-stepping gait, and tremors. Key causes:

• Congenital defects (e.g., cerebellar hypoplasia in kittens)
• Inflammatory/infectious diseases (e.g., tick-borne meningoencephalitis)
• Degenerative disorders (e.g., cerebellar degeneration)
• Tumours or strokes

Clinical signs: swaying head/torso, high-lifted paws, intention tremors.

2. Proprioceptive Ataxia

Proprioception informs pets where their bodies are in space. When disrupted—through brain or spinal cord lesions—imbalanced stepping, crossing limbs, knuckling, or falling occurs. Common causes:

• Brain tumours or stroke
• Spinal trauma or intervertebral disc disease
• Inflammatory/infectious diseases of CNS

Clinical signs: poor limb placement, wide posture, delayed paw return when lifted.

3. Vestibular Ataxia

This type originates in the inner ear or brainstem balance centers. Pets lean, circle, or fall. They may tilt their head and exhibit nystagmus. Causes encompass:

• Otitis interna (inner ear infection)
• Vestibular neuronitis
• Stroke, tumour, congenital malformation
• Idiopathic vestibular syndrome (old dog vestibular disease)

Clinical signs: head‑tilt, circling, leaning, rolling, nausea, and vomiting.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Ataxia 🩻

A clear, step‑by‑step neurological exam helps localise the problem. A thorough history is essential—from onset timing to recent trauma or toxin exposure. Expect your vet to evaluate:

• Mental status: alert or depressed?
• Posture: head/limbs/body alignment?
• Gait: how they walk and position limbs?
• Postural reactions: placing tests, hopping
• Spinal reflexes: normal, exaggerated, or diminished?
• Cranial nerves: eye tracking, swallowing, hearing
• Spinal palpation: spine pain, stiffness?
• Nociception: response to pinching?

This exam separates neurologic ataxia from orthopedic or systemic causes.

Advanced Diagnostics 🔬

Once localised, vets recommend imaging and tests:

• MRI or CT scan: detects tumours, inflammation, strokes
• CSF analysis: to find infection or immune‑mediated disease
• Blood tests: to screen for metabolic or infectious causes
• Ear exams: otoscopic and cytological analysis for vestibular forms
• X‑rays: for spinal evaluation

Treatment Options & Supportive Care 🧸

Immediate Support

• Hospitalisation for IV fluids, antiemetics, pain control
• Positioning and bedding support to prevent pressure sores
• Nutritional assistance—hand feeding or feeding tubes if needed

Disease‑Specific Treatments

• Antibiotics or antifungals for infections
• Steroids or immunosuppressives for inflammation
• Surgery for tumors or herniated discs
• Vestibular syndrome: usually resolves with supportive care alone

Rehabilitation & Home Care

• Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to strengthen coordination ✅
• At‑home exercises: assisted walking, balance boards
• Environmental adaptations: non‑slip mats, harnesses
• Supplements like omega‑3s and antioxidants may help nerve health

Prognosis & Long-Term Outlook 📊

Outcomes depend on:

• Lesion location: peripheral (ear) typically recovers best
• Disease type: idiopathic vestibular often reversible, whereas tumors may be progressive
• Speed of treatment: fast management equals better results
• Owner dedication: home care and rehab improve chances greatly

Ataxia in Specific Breeds & Life Stages 🐶🐱

Certain breeds may be predisposed to ataxic conditions. For example:

• Cerebellar hypoplasia in Birman & Himalayan cats
• Nardini cerebellar degeneration in Labrador Retrievers
• Inherited vestibular disease in Cockers & Bull Terriers
• Intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds & French Bulldogs

When to Seek Veterinary Help ❗

Contact your vet if your pet shows:

• Sudden loss of coordination
• Head tilt or circling
• Repeated stumbling or knuckling
• Changed mental state (lethargic or confused)
• Vomiting, especially with vestibular signs

Supporting Quality of Life ❤️

Caring for an ataxic pet can be challenging—but they are still full of life and love! With dedication to rehab, home adaptation, and regular check‑ups, many pets enjoy happy lives.

At Ask A Vet, we offer:

• 💼 Telehealth appointments to adjust care plans
• 🛠️ Support guidance for at‑home exercises
• 📱 App reminders for meds & physio schedules
• 🛍️ Rehab tools like harnesses and mats

Final Thoughts 📝

Ataxia signals a neurological issue—whether in the brain, spinal cord, or inner ear. Early recognition, thorough veterinary assessment, and supportive rehabilitation are vital. Many pets show significant improvement with tailored care. Your commitment matters more than you know!

🐾 Concerned about your pet's coordination? Reach out to your vet or schedule a consult at AskAVet.com, or download the Ask A Vet app for personalized guidance and peace of mind.