Vestibular Dysfunction in Dogs and Cats

Course Details

This lecture has been RACE approved for 1.0 CE hour for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Lecture Description:

This lecture will provide a comprehensive medical overview of vestibular dysfunction in dogs and cats. We will discuss the relevant neuroanatomy of the vestibular system, the primary system of the brain that controls balance and orientation. We will discuss common clinical signs associated with vestibular dysfunction and what to look for to help differentiate peripheral from central vestibular dysfunction. We will then turn our focus to the various causes of peripheral and central vestibular disorders and how to work them up, treat/manage the patient, and expected prognosis for each condition.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the anatomy of the vestibular system and how dysfunction in each location affects clinical signs.
• Be able to accurately determine the neuroanatomic location for a patient’s clinical signs.
• Know what diagnostics best help identify the cause of the clinical signs.
• Learn about the various disorders that cause central vs. peripheral vestibular dysfunction, including treatment and prognosis.