Types of Strokes

There are two types of strokes that occur in dogs, an ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. There are a variety of conditions that can cause an ischemic stroke, which is a sudden stop of blood flow to the brain. The main causes are kidney, liver or heart disease, diabetes, certain types of parasites, tumors, fat or high blood pressure.

Symptoms

There are various symptoms to look for if suspecting your dog has had a stroke. Most of the symptoms can be considered as severe behavior changes such as, confusion, depression, eating out of one side of food bowl, loss of balance and moving in circles, then falling over and lethargy. Other symptoms include, seizures, loss of bladder or bowel control, loss of sight and head tilts.

Diagnosis

If your dog is having any of the symptoms of a stroke or an extreme change in behavior, it's highly recommended to take your dog to your veterinarian.

Treatment

Although a canine stroke is irreversible and treatment is very limited, its highly likely for a dog to live. Most dogs will gain most of their motor functions and movement control within a month or so.

Prevention/Solution

In order to prevent a dog from having a stroke its important to keep up with annual exams, and if you notice different behavior it's recommended to have your dog seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible

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Prevention and Treatment

Dog Health Guide