Vestibular Disease

One of the uncommon diseases that affects all mammals is the vestibular diseases. The following article is a small elaboration of the vestibular disease. To know more, read on

The vestibular disease is a disorder that affects the vestibular apparatus, which is also known as the vestibular system. The vestibular disease can occur in almost any mammal, whose orientation and bodily coordination is controlled with the help of a vestibular apparatus. This disease has been commonly observed in humans, cats and dogs.

What is Vestibular Apparatus?

Vestibular apparatus is also known as the vestibular system. This apparatus or system performs a very unique function of helping the body to perceive its orientation. This orientation is in accordance with the gravity and surface on which one is standing. For example, if someone hangs up upside down, with our legs, the vestibular system alerts our brain, and informs it that we are hanging upside down. In a similar way, the vestibular system helps up in day-to-day activities such as walking and jogging. Bending down, descending steps, etc., are some of the motions that are aided by the vestibular apparatus. Another very important function of this system is that it helps the brain to grasp and register moving objects, and thus prevents us from becoming dizzy.

The vestibular apparatus is a not a simple system, and is made up of different organs that belong to different systems. The Cochlea which is located inside the inner ear contains the vestibule and is responsible for orientation, and is aided by the auditory system. The inner ear also plays a very important role in orientation. The Otolith is another very important organ of the inner ear which helps in coordination and orientation. In addition to that, the nervous system, respiratory system, and sensory system, also aid the working of the vestibular apparatus. The apparatus at large is made up of two response systems, namely the one that detects and coordinates rotational acceleration, and the one that detects linear acceleration and gravity. Both these systems are absolutely necessary, and malfunctioning of any part or system leads to the vestibular disease. You may also read more on vestibular system disorders.

Vestibular Disease

The human vestibular disease, or for that matter vestibular disease in any animal, occurs when any of the organs or components of the vestibular apparatus malfunctions or are injured. In a logical sense, there are innumerable causes of this disease and range from physical injury or trauma to infection of vestibular apparatus. However, the most commonly seen cases of this disease are caused as a result of the following.

Middle ear infection

Brain lesion

Idiopathic

In some rare cases, vestibular disease is also known to have occurred as a result of more complex ailments, such as serve ear injury. Most of you must have experienced the momentary loss of coordination and orientation, when you got up from your bed during a severe bout of flu. Well this was a small vestibular disease experience. It basically occurs as a result of the pressure on your inner ear. There are several vestibular disease symptoms that are commonly observed in many mammals. You will of course be able to recognize and realize these symptoms very quickly due to the prolonged dizzy and uncoordinated feeling. However, for canine and feline vestibular disease, you will need to watch out for the following symptoms

Falling

Circling

Rolling

Stumbling

Incoordination

Head tilt

Drifting of eyes

Read more on:

How Does the Human Ear Work

Inner Ear Dizziness

Ear Problems

Vestibular disease in dogs and cats is observed more prominently due to the fact that they are four legged animals, and need a stronger coordination and orientation than human beings. The vestibular disease cure lies in the cure of organs that have been affected. Removal of infection, surgery or home therapy are some of the common remedies that are undertaken. There ares some cases of vestibular disease in cats and pet dogs where the ailment got cured on its own. The most important aspect of vestibular diseases is to look for the symptoms and rush to the doctor or vet on time.

Keep Safe! Be Safe!