Dog Facial Paralysis and Vestibular Disease: Vet Care and Acupuncture
Drooping face, head tilt and loss of balance: warning signs, vet care and points commonly discussed.
This guide is educational and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis. Acupuncture is used alongside, not instead of, conventional care, and the evidence differs from condition to condition. See our Medical Disclaimer.
See a veterinarian first
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately, and do not delay care to try acupuncture, if:
- Your dog suddenly collapses or cannot stand.
- Vomiting is repeated, or your dog cannot eat or drink.
- Signs come with seizures, weakness or confusion, or after a head injury.
- The head tilt is severe or getting worse.
This list is not complete. If you are worried, call your veterinarian.
What is facial paralysis and vestibular disease?
Facial paralysis causes a drooping lip or ear, drooling and difficulty blinking. Vestibular disease affects the balance system and causes head tilt, circling, rapid eye movements and nausea. Both can be caused by ear infections, other illness or, sometimes, no identifiable cause (idiopathic).
Signs to look for
- Head tilt, circling, stumbling
- Rapid side-to-side eye movement
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drooping lip, drooling, a dry or non-blinking eye
- Reluctance to walk or eat
How veterinarians diagnose and treat it
Your veterinarian will examine the ears and nervous system and may suggest bloodwork or imaging. Treatment depends on the cause and may include ear treatment, anti-nausea medicine and supportive nursing. Idiopathic vestibular disease often improves over days to weeks.
Where acupuncture may fit
Acupuncture is sometimes added as supportive care. Because many dogs improve naturally, it is hard to tell how much any treatment helps.
What the evidence says: Evidence is limited and mostly based on case reports and clinical experience.
Results vary from dog to dog and cannot be promised. To find a practitioner, see the veterinary acupuncture directory.
Acupuncture points commonly discussed for this condition
These points are named in traditional dog acupuncture charts for the signs described on this page. Each guide gives the location, traditional indications and safety notes. Listing a point is not a promise that it will help, and points are chosen by the practitioner for each dog.
- ST3 Ju Liao (巨髎)Chart lists: facial paralysis, rhinitis
- ST4 Di Cang (地仓)Chart lists: facial paralysis, drooling
- SI18 Quan Liao (颧髎)Chart lists: facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia
- LI4 He Gu (合谷)Chart lists: facial disorders
- LI20 Ying Xiang (迎香)Chart lists: rhinitis, facial paralysis
- GB14 Yang Bai (阳白)Chart lists: headache, facial paralysis
- TH17 Yi Feng (翳风)Chart lists: deafness, facial paralysis
- GV16 Feng Fu (风府)Chart lists: wind-stroke, headache
- GV20 Bai Hui (百会)Chart lists: headache, dizziness
See all points on the dog acupuncture points chart.
Next steps and resources
Find a veterinary acupuncturist
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Browse dog acupuncture points by meridian with locations and traditional indications.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a head tilt a stroke?
Not usually in dogs, but it needs a veterinary examination to find the cause.
Will my dog recover?
It depends on the cause. Idiopathic vestibular disease often improves within days to weeks, while other causes need specific treatment.
How can I help at home?
Keep your dog in a safe, non-slip space, help with eating and drinking, and follow your veterinarian’s advice.
Related dog conditions
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