Older Dog Staggering With Rolling Eyes

Staggering combined with eyes that flick from side to side is very often a balance (vestibular) problem rather than a seizure, especially in a 13-year-old dog. Dogs with vestibular disease usually stay conscious, may tilt their head, lean or fall to one side, and have rhythmic eye movements called nystagmus. Older dogs can develop a sudden form often called old dog vestibular disease, which tends to improve over days to weeks. That condition is usually a one-time episode, though, so repeated spells make it more important to look for another cause such as an inner ear infection, a stroke or a brain tumor.

Because these spells are repeating, please have her examined soon. A video of an episode is very helpful, since it lets your vet tell a balance problem from a seizure or a fainting spell. Go to an emergency clinic if she can't stand, can't eat or drink, keeps vomiting, or loses consciousness.

Our guide to seizures in dogs explains what a true seizure looks like and the common look-alikes.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.