Dogs
Symptoms of Dog Stroke
Stroke is a medical condition associated with the brain, that causes temporary or permanent damage. Although stroke is not much common condition in dogs, it is one of the most serious dog health problems. Canine stroke is also known as Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVAs) or Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs). When a dog has a stroke, it may not show the symptoms of paralysis like in human beings. Whenever you notice abnormal physical changes or certain changes in dog behavior, you should immediately consult the veterinarian. Always remember that owning a cute dog brings joy and amusement as well as certain responsibilities regarding dog health and its care.
Types There are two types of dog stroke such as ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain due to blocked artery. This type of stroke is associated with kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Obstruction may be due to spinal cartilage, fragment of a tumor, parasites or fat. This type of stroke also may be due to under or overactive thyroid glands.
Hemorrhagic stroke is due to bleeding in the brain. This condition may be because of kidney diseases, heart diseases and thyroid diseases. Other conditions that are responsible for hemorrhage are a certain type of lung worm, namely angiostrongylosis, rodent poisons, arterial inflammation, head trauma, etc.
Causes There are various causes of different types of dog stroke. Ischemic stroke in dogs is due to a sudden obstruction of blood flow to the brain. The major causes of this type of stroke include Cushing's disease, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, parasites, tumors, spinal cartilage, high blood pressure, etc. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain. This type of stroke is due to all types of diseases that can cause high blood pressure, head trauma, brain tumor, accidental consumption of rat poison, lung worm, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, abnormal vessel development in brain, etc.
Symptoms Stroke in dogs can be as serious as that of in human beings. Some of the general symptoms of dog stroke are as follows:
- Head tilt
- Eating out of one side of food dish
- Turning the wrong way when called
- Loss of balance
- Blindness
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Lethargy
- Abrupt change in behavior
- Confusion
- Depression
- Seizure
Diagnosis If you suspect the signs of dog stroke, then you should immediately consult the veterinarian. Diagnosis of the same is done on the basis of physical examination, analysis of the symptoms and certain investigations. Blood and urine tests as well as CT scan and MRI scan are performed in order to evaluate brain damage and rule out other conditions, causing the same symptoms.
Treatment There is no specific treatment for dog stroke. There is no treatment to repair or reverse the brain damage. In most cases, dogs recover their motor functions and movement control within several weeks. Recovery generally depends upon severity of symptoms and damage to the brain.
The best way to prevent dog stroke is to maintain a good dog care and healthy lifestyle.
-
What Is Vestibular Disease?
By Linda Cole Vestibular disease can strike dogs and cats suddenly. Your pet is fine one minute and the next, he's struggling to stand and walk. One of my older cats developed vestibular disease years ago. At the time, I had no idea what it was. Understanding...
-
Stroke Symptoms In Dogs
A stroke, which is also referred to as a cerebrovascular accident, is a medical condition wherein distressing neurological symptoms occur due to disruption of blood supply to a part of the brain. This condition can also affect dogs. Though this condition...
-
Canine Stroke Prognosis
The condition of stroke was considered as one of the rare medical occurrences in canines. However, with the advent and improvement of specialist tests, it has been found that this condition is fairly common in most types of dogs. So what is a stroke...
-
Canine Stroke Syndrome
We all know that a stroke is a fatal disease in humans, if not diagnosed and treated in time. Even dogs may develop stroke, but the condition is not fatal in canines, as compared to humans. Canine stroke symptoms too differ, as compared to signs...
-
Canine Stroke Recovery
Dogs usually suffer from strokes only after they are over 8 years of age, unless there is something drastically wrong with the dog's health. Strokes never do come with a warning and often just happen without any prior signs. If your dog is twitching...
Dogs