Could it be Ataxia?
Have you noticed your dog stumbling, swaying, or struggling to get up? I’ve been seeing this with Ruby lately—my sweet golden retriever who’s lived with epilepsy for years. At first, I thought maybe this was just a part of her getting older, but as the days went on, something didn’t feel right. Her steps looked unsteady, her balance was off, and she could no longer go for our long walks.
Naturally, my mind started racing: Is this just age… or something more? After some research, I came across a word I hadn’t really paid attention to before—ataxia.
What Is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a term used to describe a loss of balance, coordination, or stability. It’s not a disease itself but rather a symptom that something’s affecting your dog’s nervous system.
For dogs with epilepsy, like Ruby, ataxia can sometimes be a side effect of long-term seizure medication—especially drugs like phenobarbital, levetiracetam, or zonisamide. These medications help prevent seizures by calming brain activity, but in some dogs, that calming effect can also slightly dull the signals that control muscle coordination.
Ataxia can appear as:
Wobbly or “drunk-like” walking
Weakness in the back legs
Difficulty standing up
Swaying when walking or sitting
Unsteady footing or frequent stumbling
Other Possible Causes
While medication side effects are common, ataxia can also be linked to other issues such as:
Inner ear problems (like infections or vestibular disease)
Spinal cord or nerve damage
Brain lesions or tumors
Low blood sugar or electrolyte imbalance
That’s why it’s important not to assume—your vet can run tests to help find the true cause.
What I’m Doing for Ruby
Ruby had an appointment with her neurologist that was able to determine despite some mild ataxia, Ruby has some other physical things happening that are the primary cause for the motor issues I’ve been observing. Some other things I’ve done to help her are I’ve made a few small changes at home:
Added rugs on slippery floors (Ruby now has a path of rugs throughout the house on any hardwood flooring)
Blocked off stairs and only allowed her to go down stairs with ramps
Has her food and water bowl on a stand to help her balance while eating
Kept walks short, flat, and at whatever pace she chooses
These little adjustments help her stay comfortable and safe while we figure out what’s going on.
What to Do if You Notice the Same
If your dog has epilepsy and you notice balance issues:
Call your vet — they’ll likely want to check medication levels and rule out other causes.
Don’t adjust meds on your own. Even if you suspect a side effect, stopping or changing doses suddenly can cause seizures.
Take a short video — it helps your vet see exactly what you’re describing.
Track symptoms — note the timing, duration, and any patterns you notice.
Watching Ruby struggle with her balance was scary, but learning about ataxia helped me feel more prepared and less panicked. Managing epilepsy is a lifelong journey, and sometimes new symptoms appear that remind us how important observation and partnership with your vet really is.
If you’d like help learning how to track symptoms, organize medication logs, and feel confident managing your dog’s care, my course My Dog Was Diagnosed With Epilepsy – Now What? walks you step-by-step through exactly that.