It was once believed that strokes only affected people, but thanks to the increased accessibility of pet MRI, small animal cerebrovascular accidents are now being diagnosed more frequently. Since strokes appear to be fairly common in our animal friends, it’s critical to recognize the signs of a canine stroke.
Similar to in humans, a dog’s stroke can be caused by an obstruction in blood flow to a portion of the brain (ischemic stroke) or by the rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke), depriving nerve cells and their pathways of oxygen.
Strokes typically affect older dogs and are frequently brought on by a long-term metabolic condition. But about 50% of canine strokes have no known underlying cause.
“Stoke is at the top of my list for any acute neurologic episode in a Greyhound,” says Dr Michael Reese, Veterinary Neurologist at Southeast Veterinary Neurology. He continues, “But Mini Schnauzers would be another top suspect for me. That one has been published.” Although there isn’t any specific research on the subject, I distinctly observe a higher incidence of strokes in Mini Schnauzers. There are undoubtedly others, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but in my opinion, those are the two most significant. Until proven otherwise, I assume an older Greyhound or Mini Schnauzer is having a stroke if they exhibit acute neurologic symptoms. ”.
Strokes in dogs occur suddenly without any warning. Although they typically don’t hurt, they can have an abrupt and severe onset of symptoms. The area of the nervous system where the stroke occurred is related to the neurologic symptoms.
Basically, your dog circles its surroundings rather than traveling in a straight line, despite your best efforts.
Your dog may experience a sudden onset of seizures due to a stroke, which could cause unconsciousness and convulsions.
Another sign of a stroke in dogs can include sudden changes in behavior. If your dog’s personality has suddenly changed, for instance, it might appear lost, withdrawn, agitated, or otherwise not itself.
Head pressing may be another sign of this particular type of dog stroke. Your dog keeps pressing its head against a wall, corner, floor, or other hard, stationary object without any reason.
Symptoms of a Stroke in Dogs
Despite the fact that animals do not obviously experience speech slurring or memory loss, signs of stroke in animals can be similar to those in humans. The symptoms of a stroke vary depending on where in the brain it happened, according to Dr Levitzke says.
Even in humans, these symptoms can be subtle, and because animals cannot communicate with us by saying things like “I feel dizzy” or “I can no longer see out of my left eye,” subtle true strokes in animals may go unnoticed, according to Dr. Sinnott adds.
Sinnott notes that although massive strokes are more common in dogs, pet parents sometimes confuse fainting spells (syncope) with strokes. “Both are extremely serious and need a veterinarian’s immediate attention,” Dr. Sinnott says.
Symptoms of strokes in dogs can include:
“Typically, owners report their pets are fine one minute and then they can’t stand up the next.” These symptoms could last from a few minutes to several hours or even days, according to Dr. Sinnott says.
It’s crucial to remember, though, that many of these symptoms are also present in other, more common dog conditions, such as severe ear infections and idiopathic vestibular disease, which frequently affects older dogs.
Dr. The majority of stroke cases in dogs that are seen by veterinarians each year, according to Sinnott, occur in very old dogs with diseases that increase the risk of blood clots or bleeding.
“The symptoms can be frightening and may be uncomfortable for the dog, and some owners choose to put their pets to sleep,” Dr In cases of severe strokes in very old dogs, according to Sinnott
The underlying diseases that can cause strokes in dogs include:
High doses of steroids, like prednisone, can sometimes cause stroke.
While no breed has a higher risk of having a stroke than another, Dr According to Levitzke, some breeds, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, which have a high rate of heart disease, are more susceptible to some of the underlying diseases that cause strokes.
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Like their owners, dogs can suffer from a variety of urgent medical conditions, such as strokes. Although canine strokes are less common than human strokes, they are just as serious. It can be terrifying to see your cherished dog suffer a stroke, so it’s crucial to understand what to do in this situation.
The National Stroke Association claims that a stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen. This often happens suddenly and without warning. Depending on which area of the dog’s brain is harmed, the degree of the harm and its effects vary.
In both humans and dogs, strokes are typically classified as either ischemic or hemorrhagic. “An ischemic stroke occurs when a vessel that supplies blood to a part of the brain becomes blocked, and damage to the brain tissue occurs,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian who serves on the advisory board for Pet Life Today. “In a hemorrhagic stroke, a vessel in the brain bleeds, which leads to swelling and increased pressure,” she adds. Both types of stroke deprive the brain of blood and oxygen, which causes brain cells to die. Ischemic strokes are more common than hemorrhagic strokes in both people and dogs.
The severity of the stroke depends on how long the brain goes without blood flow. Dr. John McCue, a staff neurologist at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, says that when a dog has a massive, catastrophic stroke in a certain part of the brain, he may not bounce back because essential parts of the brain have been damaged. This can result in a lower quality of life and can sometimes be fatal. But the good news is that a stroke is not always life-altering. Long-term prognosis is good in dogs who are treated early and given the supportive care they need.
Dogs can also experience a Fibrocartilagenous Embolism (FCE), more commonly known as a “spinal stroke.” This occurs when a piece of an intervertebral disc — the cushion that separates each of the dog’s vertebrae — breaks off and causes an obstruction of one of the blood vessels in the spinal cord.
Dr. Gary Richter, owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, California, explains that spinal strokes often cause partial or complete paralysis of one or more limbs, depending on where in the spinal cord they occur. He also points out that not all strokes are definitively diagnosed. “It usually takes an MRI to reach a definitive diagnosis — something that isn’t affordable for all pet owners,” he says. “There are probably a lot of ‘mini’ strokes that don’t get diagnosed.”
Stroke symptoms can be imperceptible and subtle. There are no indicators that a stroke is about to occur, according to Dr According to Coates, a dog can quickly transition from “seemingly normal” to “severely impaired.” In a short amount of time, if the issue is not addressed, it could get worse. The likelihood of permanent neurological damage increases the longer treatment is delayed.
Typical indications that your dog may be experiencing a stroke include:
However, it is important to note that other conditions can cause similar signs. Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome, in particular, is a common condition of older dogs that can mimic the signs of a stroke. The vestibular system is a delicate array of structures located in the inner ear and brain, which helps dogs maintain balance and coordinate the position of their head, eyes, and legs.
According to Dr. Any disturbance to the vestibular system, according to Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, can result in symptoms like head tilt, loss of balance, falling or rolling to one side, circling, difficulty walking, and abnormal eye movements. Dog owners may also observe symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss because disruptions to the inner ear can cause dogs to become extremely dizzy. The good news is that most dogs recover from vestibular disease despite these worrying symptoms. Dr. While some dogs may continue to have a head tilt, according to Klein, the majority regain their sense of balance and are fine.
According to Dr. McCue, older dogs are more likely to suffer from ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Spinal strokes are more common in larger, more active breeds.
Additionally, dogs with concurrent health issues are more prone to strokes. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) states that dogs who also have heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and other illnesses are more likely to suffer a stroke. Although your dog’s past health records may offer some hints, about 50% of canine strokes have no known underlying cause.
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop your dog from having a stroke, but keeping your pet healthy can reduce the likelihood of a stroke. Because early detection and treatment of underlying diseases can lower your dog’s risk of having a stroke, routine veterinary exams are particularly crucial.
Brainstem and Cerebellum Stroke Symptoms in Dogs
The following list of signs of brainstem and cerebellum stroke in dogs:
Your dog is off balance, as evidenced by his head tilt, tendency to fall or roll to one side, and inability to stand.
Hemiparesis, a common symptom of strokes, is weakness on one side of the body.
When walking, your dog might be spastically stepping much higher than is necessary.
Strokes to the cerebellum, which should not be confused with seizures, can result in involuntary head shaking or trembling, especially when one is focused on a task (intention tremor).
The reticular activating system sits in the front part of the brainstem and is responsible for waking up the forebrain. If it’s not working, your dog will have severe mentation changes, like obtundation (reduced alertness or dull mentation) or stupor (near unconsciousness).
Due to severe weakness on one side of the body, your dog is essentially just spinning around in a circle rather than circumnavigating its environment.
FAQ
How can you tell if a dog had a stroke?
- Loss of balance.
- Nausea or vomiting due to balance issues.
- Wandering in circles.
- Loss of body control.
- unusual eye movements, such as jerking back and forth or losing the ability to blink
- Head tilt.
- Weakness on one side.
- Seizures.
What do you do when a dog has a stroke?
Seek veterinary care right away if you think your dog has had a stroke.
Can a dog recuperate from a stroke?
While there is no specific treatment for canine or feline strokes, the majority of animals recover within a few weeks. However, if a critical area of the brain was damaged by the stroke, recovery might not be possible.
How long does a dog live after a stroke?
Compared to strokes on the right side of the brain, strokes on the left quadrupled the likelihood of surviving after 30 days. Left-sided strokes had a mean survival time of 602 days, while right-sided strokes only had a mean survival time of 24 days.