No one wants to see their dog suffer or feel uncomfortable due to a serious health problem such as a stroke. Although the symptoms of a stroke in dogs may sound terrifying, always remember that the effects on dogs are generally not as severe as in humans. To get the right diagnosis and treatment recommendations, learn to recognize the various symptoms that commonly accompany stroke disorders. If the dog is proven to have had a stroke, take him to the doctor immediately and follow the instructions for treatment.
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Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of a Stroke in Dogs
Step 1. Understand the symptoms of a stroke in dogs
Generally, a stroke in dogs occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke) or becomes blocked (ischemic stroke). Stroke symptoms in dogs also often appear suddenly and may be different from the stroke symptoms commonly experienced by humans. A dog may have a stroke if:
- Moving in circles or walking in circles for no reason.
- Constantly tilting his head to one side.
- Spins in the wrong direction when called.
- Difficulty balancing, standing, or walking.
- Experiencing lethargy or excessive fatigue.
- Difficulty controlling the urge to urinate and defecate.
- Showing signs of vision loss.
- Suddenly fainted.
- Chances are, the dog's eyes will also move very quickly from side to side as if following the movement of an object (nystagmus). Although nystagmus can also be caused by other disorders, it never hurts to ask your doctor to evaluate these symptoms.
Step 2. Evaluate the dog's risk factors
Help your doctor make a diagnosis and identify the underlying cause by telling your dog the presence or absence of stroke risk factors. Generally, strokes are more prone to attack dogs that are older and have a history of:
- Injury or trauma to the head.
- Heart disorders.
- Diabetes.
- Kidney illness.
- Endocrine diseases, such as thyroid disorders or Cushing's syndrome.
- Brain tumor.
- Exposure to certain types of poisons.
- Certain parasites or tick-borne diseases (transmitted by ticks or dog fleas), such as Rocky Mountain Spotted fever.
Step 3. Get your dog checked by a doctor
If your dog is suspected of having a stroke, take him to the doctor immediately! Make sure you explain your dog's medical history and any symptoms in detail. In addition to checking your dog's health and observing its behavior, your doctor will likely also order x-rays such as an MRI, CT scan, or standard X-ray to confirm or rule out a stroke.
- Chances are, your doctor will also perform other tests, such as a lumbar puncture, to identify other conditions or diseases that may have similar symptoms.
- Generally, the doctor will observe the presence or absence of bleeding, blood clots, inflammation, or abnormal cell formation in the dog's brain.
- Treat all stroke symptoms as a medical emergency. Trust me, early intervention can maximize your dog's recovery process.
Part 2 of 2: Performing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Treat the underlying cause of the stroke
If your dog is diagnosed with a stroke, your doctor will likely explain the various possible causes. In fact, stroke is only cured by treating the underlying cause.
- Ischemic stroke is associated with health problems such as diabetes, worsening thyroid gland function, kidney or heart disease, and high blood pressure. Meanwhile, hemorrhagic strokes are generally caused by blockage of blood vessels, high blood pressure, poisoning by rats, and blood vessel disorders.
- Other causes of stroke include brain tumors and trauma to the head. After providing a diagnosis and identifying the underlying cause, your doctor will likely explain the most appropriate treatment plan to treat your dog's stroke.
Step 2. Follow the doctor's instructions if the dog is not hospitalized
In fact, most cases of stroke in dogs can be treated at home after being diagnosed by a doctor. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe the right medication and explain the correct way to treat your dog and monitor his condition at home. Remember, a dog who has had a stroke may have difficulty walking and may become disoriented. To care for your dog at home, follow these tips:
- Make sure the dog sleeps in a comfortable place.
- Take your dog outside whenever he needs to pee or have a bowel movement.
- Place the bowl of food and drink in a place that is easy for the dog to reach (for example, next to his bed).
- Give all the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
- If necessary, massage your dog's body daily with the palm of your hand to improve mobility.
Step 3. If recommended by the doctor, allow the dog to stay in the hospital
If the stroke is very severe, or if the stroke is caused by trauma, the dog will most likely need to be hospitalized to make it easier for the doctor to observe and treat. If the stroke was caused by trauma, the first step is to reduce swelling in the brain and keep the dog hydrated. Generally, the dog should be given an IV to avoid dehydration during the course of treatment.
- Drugs such as Amlodipine may be given to control blood pressure that is too high, if the stroke is caused by hypertension.
- In addition, the doctor may also give anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs if swelling occurs, antibiotics to treat infections, anesthetics to control ataxia and disorientation, antiemetics to reduce nausea and vomiting, and anticonvulsants to control seizures.
- Generally, the dog will be laid on a soft bed in the most comfortable position possible so that the position of the head is not lower than the body. Maintaining this position is very important to improve blood flow in the dog's body.
Step 4. Always monitor the dog's recovery process
Walk-in dogs should always be monitored while they are recovering. Chances are, you'll also need someone else (such as a next door neighbor) to keep an eye on your dog while you're away. If you have the funds, try hiring a specialist to look after your dog when you're not at home.
If possible, ask your boss for permission to work from home or extend your lunch break to check on your dog's condition. Also ask if your dog can be brought into the office
Step 5. Give the medicine prescribed by the doctor
Generally, doctors will prescribe medication to help your dog recover fully from a stroke and prevent another stroke in the future. In many cases, dogs with symptoms of ataxia and disorientation will also be sedated by a doctor. Some other types of drugs that may also be prescribed by a doctor are:
- Anti-emetic drugs.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling symptoms.
- Antibiotics to treat infection.
- Anticonvulsant drugs to control seizures and prevent stroke attacks from happening again.
- Antiplatelet drugs similar to Plavix, a type of blood thinner or anticoagulant to prevent blood clots from forming on long-term therapy.
- Drugs that are able to pump oxygen in the blood to the brain, such as propentofylline (Vivitonin).
Step 6. Discuss the dog's prognosis with the doctor
The speed at which a dog recovers will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the stroke and the presence or absence of other health problems. Be careful, a very severe stroke can lead to permanent disability! Therefore, choose the most appropriate treatment method to maximize your dog's quality of life and help him adjust to the various problems he is experiencing, such as poor balance disorders.
