Key takeaways:
Strokes in dogs often occur without warning, and the symptoms vary.
A dog that is having a stroke needs immediate veterinary treatment.
Your dog’s recovery from a stroke depends on several factors, such as the severity of the stroke and any underlying health conditions.
Strokes in dogs often occur without warning, and the symptoms vary.
A dog that is having a stroke needs immediate veterinary treatment.
Your dog’s recovery from a stroke depends on several factors, such as the severity of the stroke and any underlying health conditions.
Dogs and humans can experience many of the same health conditions, such as strokes. A stroke is any interruption in blood flow to the brain. Without enough blood flow to the brain, oxygen cannot reach the brain’s cells. This causes stroke symptoms and potential complications afterward.
In this article, we will cover the signs that your dog may be having a stroke, what you should do, and what to expect for your dog’s recovery after a stroke.
Can dogs have strokes?
Strokes in dogs are different than strokes in people. Still, dog strokes can be serious and always require immediate veterinary care. Strokes in dogs aren’t always fatal, and the sooner you get your dog in for care, the better chance they have to recover.
Of course, dogs can’t tell you in words that they’re having a stroke. But they will give you signs that something isn’t right. Dog strokes are often sudden. So it’s essential to recognize stroke symptoms and quickly respond if you think your dog is having one.
The telltale signs that your dog experienced a stroke
The signs of stroke in dogs occur suddenly. Symptoms usually depend on which area of the brain is affected.
Common dog stroke symptoms include:
- Loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting due to balance issues
- Wandering in circles
- Loss of body control
- Unusual eye movements or loss of blink reflexes
- Head tilt
- Weakness on one side
- Seizures
- Misjudging their steps
Symptoms from ischemic strokes typically don’t get worse beyond 24 hours after they start. If not treated, hemorrhagic stroke symptoms can last longer than 24 hours. But signs of either type of stroke don’t usually extend past 72 hours.
Here’s what may have caused your dog to have a stroke
Dog strokes are either ischemic (blocked blood vessel) or hemorrhagic (ruptured blood vessel). Things like bacteria and parasites can contribute to blocked blood vessels. Trauma and blood clotting disorders can cause blood vessels to rupture. Strokes in dogs are more commonly ischemic than hemorrhagic.
There are several underlying health conditions that can increase the risk of strokes in dogs:
No dog breed is specifically prone to having strokes. But breeds predisposed to developing one of the health conditions listed above can also have a higher risk of having a stroke.
Dog strokes are either ischemic (blocked blood vessel) or hemorrhagic (ruptured blood vessel). Things like bacteria and parasites can contribute to blocked blood vessels. Trauma and blood clotting disorders can cause blood vessels to rupture. Strokes in dogs are more commonly ischemic than hemorrhagic.
There are several underlying health conditions that can increase the risk of strokes in dogs:
- Cushing’s disease
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Kidney disease
- Heartworm disease
- Blood clotting disorders
- Underactive thyroid glands (hypothyroidism)
- Some medications — like phenylpropanolamine (Proin), which treats urine leakage — might also increase the risk of stroke in dogs.
No dog breed is specifically prone to having strokes. But breeds predisposed to developing one of the health conditions listed above can also have a higher risk of having a stroke.
What to do first when your dog has a stroke
If you think your dog is having a stroke, act quickly, and seek immediate veterinary care. Strokes can be confused with other conditions, such as fainting spells and vestibular disease that cause balance problems. But it’s best to ask a veterinarian if you notice unusual symptoms.
It might be helpful to note the timeline of events, such as:
To safely transport your dog to the vet or emergency hospital, put smaller dogs in a carrier. For larger dogs, carefully carry them to the car, and make sure they are safely secured with minimal restraint. Try not to over-handle your pup, and call your vet or hospital to let them know you’re on your way.
If you think your dog is having a stroke, act quickly, and seek immediate veterinary care. Strokes can be confused with other conditions, such as fainting spells and vestibular disease that cause balance problems. But it’s best to ask a veterinarian if you notice unusual symptoms.
It might be helpful to note the timeline of events, such as:
- What your dog was doing before the symptoms started
- The symptoms you noticed
- Whether symptoms continued to develop or worsen
- This information could help your veterinarian as they try to figure out the cause of your dog’s symptoms.
To safely transport your dog to the vet or emergency hospital, put smaller dogs in a carrier. For larger dogs, carefully carry them to the car, and make sure they are safely secured with minimal restraint. Try not to over-handle your pup, and call your vet or hospital to let them know you’re on your way.
How are strokes in dogs diagnosed?
Your vet will need to accurately diagnose the stroke before beginning treatment. They will do a complete physical exam and perform other diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, urine tests, and a blood pressure reading.
These tests can rule out other potential causes of your dog’s symptoms. They can also help your veterinarian identify the underlying cause of the stroke. Ultimately, they usually use a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of a dog’s brain to confirm the stroke.
After completing all of the diagnostic testing, your vet will have a better idea of what caused your dog’s stroke.
How to treat a dog recovering from a stroke
Treatment for dog strokes centers on addressing your dog’s symptoms, providing overall supportive care, and managing any underlying health conditions. If any underlying causes of your dog’s stroke aren’t treated, another one could happen later on.
Treatment and supportive care will eventually restore blood flow to your dog’s brain. This often resolves any neurologic symptoms like head tilt or eye movement issues. After a stroke, some dogs return to full function, while others may have permanent changes. If your dog loses mobility, it could come back within the next few months.
Examples of treatments for your dog’s symptoms may include:
Can a stroke be fatal for dogs?
Yes. Severe strokes can cause enough damage that a dog can't recover. But strokes aren’t always fatal in dogs.
Many dogs don’t receive a stroke diagnosis in time to receive immediate treatment. This is because getting a diagnosis can take a long time. Or the signs of the stroke can initially be missed.
- Blood pressure medication to lower blood pressure
- Anticoagulant medication to dissolve blood clots
- Medication to correct hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels)
- Supportive care includes providing good nutrition and helping manage urination and defecation. Other examples of supportive care for your dog are intravenous fluid therapy, oxygen therapy, and physical therapy.
Can a stroke be fatal for dogs?
Yes. Severe strokes can cause enough damage that a dog can't recover. But strokes aren’t always fatal in dogs.
Many dogs don’t receive a stroke diagnosis in time to receive immediate treatment. This is because getting a diagnosis can take a long time. Or the signs of the stroke can initially be missed.
How well your dog recovers from a stroke depends on a few factors:
Recovery can be hard for more severe strokes. But most dogs that survive ischemic strokes have a good chance of recovering. If your dog recovers well in the first 30 days, their outlook is generally good.
It’s possible for another stroke to occur after this period, so you and your vet should monitor your dog. Stay in communication with your veterinarian in case your dog’s recovery slows or their symptoms return.
Your veterinarian can also help determine how well your dog might recover based on their response to treatment. Overall, dogs seem to recover better than humans. Having patience, supporting any physical disabilities, communicating with your veterinarian, and keeping a realistic outlook will go a long way in helping your dog heal.
- Severity of the stroke
- Other health conditions that are present
- How quickly treatment got started
Recovery can be hard for more severe strokes. But most dogs that survive ischemic strokes have a good chance of recovering. If your dog recovers well in the first 30 days, their outlook is generally good.
It’s possible for another stroke to occur after this period, so you and your vet should monitor your dog. Stay in communication with your veterinarian in case your dog’s recovery slows or their symptoms return.
Your veterinarian can also help determine how well your dog might recover based on their response to treatment. Overall, dogs seem to recover better than humans. Having patience, supporting any physical disabilities, communicating with your veterinarian, and keeping a realistic outlook will go a long way in helping your dog heal.
The bottom line
Although strokes are less common in dogs, they are often sudden and serious, requiring immediate veterinary care. Some signs of a stroke in dogs include a head tilt, circling, loss of balance, and unusual eye movements. If you think that your dog is having a stroke, don’t delay getting them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is mostly supportive, and it’s important to treat any underlying causes. The sooner your dog gets help, the better their chances for recovery.
Although strokes are less common in dogs, they are often sudden and serious, requiring immediate veterinary care. Some signs of a stroke in dogs include a head tilt, circling, loss of balance, and unusual eye movements. If you think that your dog is having a stroke, don’t delay getting them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is mostly supportive, and it’s important to treat any underlying causes. The sooner your dog gets help, the better their chances for recovery.
Source: Goodrx
