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 of Dog Stroke

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 of Dog Stroke

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 of Dog Stroke

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

Dog Stroke Diagnosis

If you suspect the symptoms of dog stroke, then you should immediately consult the veterinarian. Diagnosis of dog stroke 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.

Dog Stroke 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.