Dogs can have strokes, despite previous beliefs that they couldn’t due to different risk factors than humans. Discovering that your dog has had a stroke can be scary, as it can cause brain damage. However, prompt treatment increases the chances of a full recovery.
Signs Your Dog is Having a Stroke
When a dog has a stroke, symptoms are sudden and immediate. These symptoms may not immediately suggest a stroke, but you may notice your dog having difficulty walking or balancing, as well as coordination issues. Dogs experiencing a stroke may also appear disoriented, weak, or have problems with their eyes. Loss of bowel control, inappropriate urination, collapsing, coma, or seizures can also indicate a stroke. These symptoms can last for minutes, hours, or even days.
Body Language
During a stroke, dogs may exhibit certain body language symptoms, such as head tilting, weakness, body freezing, or urine sprinkling.
Other Signs
Other signs of a stroke in dogs include urination and bowel control problems, vision problems or sudden blindness, and inability to stand up or walk.
History of Dogs Having Strokes
Initially, it was believed that dogs couldn’t have strokes due to different risk factors than humans. However, certain conditions like Cushing’s disease, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, bleeding disorders, cancer, hypothyroidism, and medications can cause strokes in dogs. While no specific breeds are more prone to strokes, certain breeds may be more susceptible to diseases that can lead to strokes.
Science Behind Strokes in Dogs
Using MRI and CT scans, veterinarians have confirmed that dogs can have strokes. Dogs can have ischemic strokes caused by insufficient blood supply or hemorrhagic strokes caused by excessive blood. Once the type of stroke is determined, veterinarians can establish appropriate treatments, ranging from oxygen and fluid therapy to physical therapy and surgery.
Helping Your Dog After a Stroke
While coping with your dog’s stroke can be challenging, prompt treatment usually leads to no adverse effects. However, some dogs may experience permanent problems due to brain damage. Treatment options include supportive care, physical therapy, IVs, corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling, oxygen therapy, fluid therapy, and anti-seizure drugs. Acupuncture therapy and antioxidants can also aid in recovery. Nattokinase supplements can prevent future strokes, and physical therapy can help dogs regain lost functions.
Most dogs make a full recovery if they survive the initial days after a stroke. Early treatment is crucial, so it is important to seek veterinary care immediately if stroke symptoms are observed in your dog.
“The key to a dog’s recovery from a stroke lies in early treatment and attentive care.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Recognize the signs of a stroke in dogs: Symptoms of a stroke in dogs include trouble walking or balancing, disorientation, weakness, vision problems or sudden blindness, loss of bowel control, collapse, coma, seizures, and inability to stand up or walk. It’s important to be aware of these signs and seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your dog is having a stroke.
2️⃣ Understand the potential causes of strokes in dogs: While dogs do not have the same risk factors as humans for strokes, they can still experience them. Strokes in dogs can be caused by conditions such as Cushing’s disease, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, bleeding disorders, cancer, hypothyroidism, and certain medications. Knowing the potential causes can help you take preventive measures and manage your dog’s health.
3️⃣ Seek prompt veterinary treatment: Early treatment is crucial for a dog’s recovery after a stroke. If you notice any signs of a stroke in your dog, it is important to bring them to a veterinarian immediately. Veterinarians can determine the type of stroke through imaging tests like MRI and CT scans and provide appropriate treatment, which may include oxygen and fluid therapy, physical therapy, and surgery. With prompt and proper care, most dogs have a good chance of making a full recovery after a stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs have strokes?
– Yes, it has been proven that dogs can and do have strokes.
2. What are the signs of a stroke in dogs?
– Symptoms of a stroke in dogs include trouble walking or balancing, disorientation, weakness, problems with eyes or sudden blindness, loss of bowel control and inappropriate urination, collapsing, coma, seizures, and episodes of being unable to stand up or walk.
3. What causes strokes in dogs?
– Strokes in dogs can be caused by conditions such as Cushing’s disease, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, bleeding disorders, cancer, hypothyroidism, and certain medications. While there are no specific breeds prone to strokes, some breeds are more likely to develop the diseases that can lead to a stroke.
4. Can dogs recover from a stroke?
– Yes, dogs have a greater chance at making a full recovery after a stroke compared to humans. Treatment options include supportive care, physical therapy, IVs and corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling, oxygen and fluid therapy, anti-seizure drugs, acupuncture therapy, antioxidants, and nattokinase supplements.
5. Is early treatment important for dogs with strokes?
– Yes, early treatment is crucial for dogs with strokes. The faster animals are treated, the more likely they are to make a full recovery. If you notice symptoms of a stroke in your dog, it is important to bring them to a veterinarian right away.
