Can poison cause ataxia in dogs? Here’s What to Expect

My dog suddenly became unsteady on his feet, almost as though he was drunk. He was diagnosed him ataxia. What is that?

The word ataxia means incoordination within the nervous system. The abnormal movement can occur in the legs, the head, the torso, or all three.

There are several different forms of ataxia, depending on where in the nervous system the abnormality occurs. The first type is a failure of the unconscious awareness of where the limbs are located in space. This unconscious body awareness is called proprioception, and when there is a proprioceptive abnormality, movement is difficult and quite abnormal. A proprioceptive defect most commonly occurs when pressure is placed on the spinal cord from a bulging intervertebral disk or tumor, from a tumor within the spinal cord itself, from a bleeding blood vessel within the spinal cord, or a failure of the nerve conduction capacity of the spinal cord.

The second type of ataxia occurs as a result of abnormal function of the inner ear or brainstem that causes a disruption in balance. This type of ataxia is called a vestibular abnormality, or vestibular syndrome.

Finally, the third source of ataxia is localized to the cerebellum, the part of the brain where fine motor movement is coordinated. These dogs often look normal at rest, but when they start to move, their limb movements can be quite exaggerated and they typically also have head tremors.

As mentioned above, the items listed are not exhaustive but are to serve as an informational guide. If you suspect or know your pet has encountered a toxin, contact your veterinarian immediately. They are equipped with information regarding poisons, best treatment protocols and prognoses based on individual cases. Another wonderful and helpful source of the household is the ASPCA. They have an extremely informative and reliable website pertaining to several poisons. They also have a mobile app for pet parents which scales the severity of most toxins found. If you cannot find a specific poison, the ASPCA has a poison control hotline which can be called 24/7/365.

However, even with these many resources available, the best cure is prevention and avoidance. If you know you have a curious critter, please take extra steps to ensure chemicals and medications are stored properly and food cabinets locked. And while we all know accidents happen, if you’re ever unsure (or sure) of a toxin/poison threat, please never hesitate to call you veterinarian for advice. We are always happy to help! Also, any “extras” you can bring us; pictures, labels, time/date any of these incidents, can greatly expedite treatment and recovery.

We regularly express and show our love by making and sharing food not only for family but for our animals also. However, you need to know there are certain “treats” which should be avoided as they can cause extreme illness for our animal companions.

While several human medications are extrapolated over to veterinary medicine, there are some which when ingested can be deadly, even ones considered over-the-counter. Never give your personal medications without guidance from your veterinarian.

Numerous families enjoy adding color, aroma and greenery to their home, however as beautiful as some plants may be, they can pose quite a threat to our pets.

Xylitol (common in sugar-free chewing gum): Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and is gaining popularity in sugar-free foods, oral care products, and dietary supplements. Common products that contain xylitol are gum, toothpaste, sugar-free candy, chewable vitamins, and melatonin supplements. It is also sold in bulk for baking. Although safe for humans, xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure in dogs that ingest toxic amounts. The symptoms can be very rapid, occurring within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. Common symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, weakness, lethargy, difficulty walking (ataxia) and seizures. Dogs are the most susceptible pet species to xylitol toxicity.

Onions/garlic/chives/leeks/shallots: Ingestion of these foods in large enough quantities can cause oxidative hemolysis, which is defined as destruction of the red blood cells causing anemia. Common symptoms of toxicity can include but are not limited to: lethargy, pale mucous membranes, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and increased breathing rate. The onset of symptoms can be anywhere from 24 hours after ingestion to several days. The symptoms can potentially last for 10-20 days. Dogs, cats, cattle and horses can be affected.

Table salt: Ingestion of salt can cause sodium poisoning (hypernatremia). Hypernatremia is an increase of sodium concentrations in the blood. Common symptoms of salt toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, polydipsia (increased drinking/thirst), ataxia (difficulty walking), tremors, and seizures. Symptoms can occur within 30 minutes to 4 hours. Animals can also be at risk for salt toxicity when they ingest homemade play doh, salt ornaments, baking soda, de-icing products, and other salt containing products.

Alcohol: Alcohol or ethanol toxicity can occur when an animal ingests alcoholic beverages, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, yeast bread dough, etc. Common symptoms from ethanol toxicity include acting “drunk”, sedation, ataxia (difficulty walking), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hypothermia (low temperature), GI distress, respiratory depression, and coma. Symptoms have a rapid onset, within 30 – 90 minutes, and can last 24-36 hours.

Fatty scraps: While it is tempting to feed your pet scraps from the table, fatty food scraps can cause stomach upset and is a risk for pancreatitis in pets. Pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. Symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite (anorexia), lethargy and diarrhea. Some dog breeds are more prone to pancreatitis such as miniature schnauzers, miniature poodles and cocker spaniels. Older and overweight dogs can also be prone to pancreatitis, but with an ingestion of fatty foods, any dog can be susceptible.

Ataxia Wobbler Syndrome In Dogs Symptoms And Treatment

While many of us use seemingly harmless ingredients and items to clean, cook and decorate our homes, there are several which can be quite harmful and even deadly to our pets. It’s important to know which every day, household items can put our furry friends at risk. It’s not only chemicals or cleaners but many foods and plants can be toxic as well. The following includes, but is by no means limited to some of the most common toxicities we see in our veterinary profession.

Numerous families enjoy adding color, aroma and greenery to their home, however as beautiful as some plants may be, they can pose quite a threat to our pets.