Dear Cathy,

I have a 14-year-old Min Pin (Miniature Pinscher) who has diabetes and is blind. She has started going in circles to the left, sometimes very rapidly. Do you have any idea what might be causing this?

– Rande Repke, Naperville, IL

Dear Rande,

While circling could just be a new behavior, your girl’s age and compromised health also may mean the behavior is related to an underlying health problem, like an ear infection, vestibular (balance) problem, diabetes, or even neurological issues. I would have her checked out by a veterinarian to rule out any new health issues.

Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal