Stroke in dogs is as dangerous a condition for pets as it is for humans. It is not very common for dogs to have this problem, but when it does happen, it can have serious consequences for the animal. Stroke in dogs - also known as dog stroke - can have different causes and needs immediate care to avoid serious health consequences. Despite being a well-known term, manyPeople have questions about this disease: What is a stroke? What are the sequelae of a stroke in a dog? Are the symptoms always the same? Does a dog with a stroke feel pain? O Paws of the House answers all your questions about this condition and explains what to do when you see a dog having a stroke. Check it out!

Stroke in dogs happens when there is inadequate blood supply to the brain

Every cell needs oxygen to function. The oxygen taken in by the dog's breath is carried to the lungs and from there transferred to the blood. The blood with oxygen and other essential nutrients (such as glucose) travels through the body via the blood vessels and 'feeds' the cells of the whole body - including the brain cells. The stroke/ brain injury(known as stroke) in dogs happens when, for some reason, the blood vessel is unable to carry oxygen to the brain cells. Since they do not receive oxygen, they do not function properly. Thus, we can define stroke in dogs as the condition in which the brain does not receive blood properly, resulting in a deficiency of components that are fundamental to the functioning of its cells.cells.

Stroke in dogs can be of the ischemic or hemorrhagic type

Stroke in dogs can be divided into two types according to what caused the condition in the pet. They are:

Stroke in an ischemic dog: This type of canine stroke occurs when there is something obstructing the passage of blood in the blood vessel. Depending on the cause of the obstruction, it can be of two types. Embolic ischemic stroke occurs when emboli form, which are small portions of matter such as fat, air, tissue, bacteria or foreign bodies. Thrombotic ischemic stroke occurs when thrombi form, which areblood clots.

Stroke in a hemorrhagic dog: In this type of canine stroke, what happens is a rupture of the blood vessels that carry the blood to the brain. With the rupture, bleeding occurs at the site and the blood cannot reach the brain cells.

The causes of stroke in dogs are very varied

There is no single cause of stroke in dogs. A number of conditions and diseases can lead to clogged or ruptured blood vessels. The most well-known cause of stroke in dogs is heart disease, as the heart is the organ responsible for pumping blood. A number of heart diseases cause blood clots that lead to canine stroke. Other problems that can be associated with stroke in dogs includeare brain tumors, kidney failure, clots after surgery, accidents that cause bleeding and clotting problems. We can also mention ehrlichiosis (a disease that decreases the number of platelets - cells that make clotting - thus preventing a response in case of rupture of the vessels) and canine heartworm (the famous worm in the heart that migrates through the bloodstream obstructing the bloodstream).the passage of blood).

There are some predisposing factors that facilitate the onset of stroke in dogs

Since strokes in dogs have different causes, any pet can develop the problem. However, there are certain predisposing factors that some dogs may have. Hypertension is one of them. Hypertensive dogs have very high blood pressure values that facilitate the onset of a canine stroke. Conditions associated with hypertension, such as kidney disease and arteriosclerosis are also predisposing factors.Overweight dogs are also more likely to suffer a stroke.

Stroke in dogs: neurological symptoms affecting the pet

Because it is a disease of varied causes, stroke can manifest itself in different ways in each case. However, in most cases of stroke in dogs, neurological symptoms remain and are the most characteristic. Among the most common we can mention:

• Seizure

• Paralysis

• Hemiparesis (decreased movement on one side of the body)

• Tetraparesis (decreased movement on both sides of the body)

• Dog with a crooked mouth

• Difficulty maintaining posture

• Muscle weakness

• Ataxia

• Dizziness

• Hyperthermia

• Nystagmus (rapid eye movement)

A common question is whether the dog with stroke feels pain. In a stroke in a dog, symptoms are usually more associated with neurological, strength and motor coordination problems. Therefore, pain is not one of the most common signs of this condition. However, in some cases, the dog with stroke feels pain not necessarily because of the stroke itself, but because the lack of coordination can cause him to hurt himself andlimping - conditions that actually cause pain in the pet.

What to do after noticing the symptoms of stroke in a dog?

In a dog stroke, symptoms often appear suddenly, especially if it is of the embolic ischemic type. This condition is very serious because if the brain is left without oxygen and nutrients for too long, it can lose its functionality for good and lead the animal to death. So if you see your dog with a crooked mouth, decreased movements, weakness, incoordination or any of the symptoms ofThe first step is to put the animal in a comfortable place away from furniture or objects that could hurt it in case of a seizure or fall. Then, the animal needs to be referred immediately to a veterinary emergency so that the diagnosis can be confirmed and care can begin.

To diagnose stroke in dogs, your pet will need a CT scan and some other tests

Symptoms of a stroke in dogs usually give the clue that the pet is actually having a stroke. However, as it is a very serious condition, the veterinarian will order a series of tests to be sure of the diagnosis. Computed tomography is an imaging test that will help in this definition - the pet needs to be anesthetized to do it. In addition,To diagnose stroke in dogs more accurately, it is common to also need to do blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, an electrocardiogram and a blood pressure assessment. That's a lot, but because stroke in dogs can have so many causes, it is important to investigate well to know the real one and thus define the best care to be taken.

When your dog has a stroke, supportive treatment and veterinary follow-up is essential

There is no specific protocol on how to treat stroke in dogs, since each case has different causes, proportions and affected brain sites. Right after the stroke in dogs happens, the veterinarian will stabilize the pet, offering oxygen and the missing nutrients. He will perform all the necessary procedures to keep the vital signs stable. Usually, when adog has a stroke, it needs to be hospitalized to be better monitored. From there, there is no way to specify what will be done, because the treatment will depend on the animal's response and what caused the problem. If it is a tumor, for example, it will be necessary to carry out the treatment for cancer. The same happens for ehrlichiosis, heartworm disease, kidney failure and any other disease that has led to the problem.If there are sequelae, the pet will need frequent monitoring.

Stroke in dogs can leave neurological sequelae for the life of the animal

A short time without oxygen to the brain can be enough to cause permanent damage. In a stroke in a dog, there may be sequelae that the pet will carry for the rest of its life. After a stroke, the animal may experience frequent seizures, loss or decreased movement on one or two sides of the body, trembling, difficulty walking, and difficultyNot always the pet will have sequelae - in some cases, supportive treatment can reverse the problem. However, if the animal has any of these complications, it is very important that it is always monitored and evaluated with frequent visits to the veterinarian and always following his recommendations. In the case of decreased movement, for example, it may be necessary to perform some of the following procedureschanges at home, such as installing ramps to make it easier to get around.

The guardian needs to take special care so that a new canine stroke does not affect the pet that has recovered

If your puppy has had a stroke, it is important to make sure that he does not have to go through it again. The best way to do this is to take care of the source of the problem. If the stroke in a dog has appeared because of a disease, follow the doctor's instructions to treat it correctly. Do not self-medicate or stop the medication and treatment on your own. If the pet is hypertensive,give the medication correctly. In the case of chronic diseases, have regular veterinary follow-up. If the reason for the stroke in a dog was overweight, talk to a veterinarian nutritionist to make dietary changes (dietary changes can be good in all cases, actually). Finally, regardless of what led to the stroke in a dog, visit the veterinarian withfrequency to ensure that everything is okay with the animal's health.

Stroke in dogs can be prevented with good quality of life and health care

As stroke in dogs is a condition that arises from other factors, there is no specific way to prevent it. However, it is possible to prevent stroke from happening by offering a better quality of life, as a healthy pet is less likely to develop the problems that lead to canine stroke. Poor diet is the biggest cause of canine hypertension and obesity. Therefore,Take care of your pet's nutrition, avoid excesses and always offer quality food according to its size and age. In addition, it is important to encourage your pet to exercise regularly.

Check-ups are essential to prevent not only stroke in dogs, but any disease. Knowing what is happening in the pet's body is the best way to ensure that he is well and healthy. Finally, if your pet has any of the predisposing factors to canine stroke, it is even more important that he has routine examinations, frequent visits to the veterinarian and follow his guidelines correctly.