Brain tumours in dogs: understanding the diagnosis

Overview

Brain tumours in dogs: understanding the diagnosis covers signs involving the brain, nerves, balance, coordination, or spinal cord. Neurological symptoms can look frightening and should be taken seriously, especially when they appear suddenly.

This guide is written to help you spot useful patterns, support your dog safely at home, and decide when a vet should be involved.

Signs to watch for

Neurological signs may include wobbliness, head tilt, tremors, seizures, weakness, dragging paws, confusion, circling, balance loss, or sudden behaviour change.

What you can do at home

Keep your dog safe from stairs, hard edges, slippery floors, and falls while you contact your vet. Do not try to force movement or balance exercises without guidance.

1. Move hazards away and keep your dog on a non-slip surface.
2. Video the episode if it is safe to do so, as this can help your vet.
3. Keep notes on timing, duration, triggers, recovery, and any repeated episodes.
4. Seek urgent advice for seizures, collapse, severe weakness, or sudden loss of balance.

When to call a vet

Neurological signs should be assessed by a vet, especially if they are sudden, severe, repeated, or involve collapse, seizures, weakness, or loss of coordination.