Anna Werrett
A stroke in dogs is a sudden death of brain cells due to a lack of blood flow, which can be caused by a blood clot or a burst blood vessel. While strokes are rare in dogs, they can be serious and always require immediate veterinary care. Symptoms of a stroke in dogs include abnormal eye movements, nausea or vomiting due to balance issues, wandering in circles, loss of body control, weakness on one side, and misjudging their steps. If you suspect your dog is having a stroke, act quickly and seek immediate veterinary care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Ischaemic stroke, Haemorrhagic stroke |
| Symptoms | Abnormal eye movements, Wandering in circles, Loss of body control, Loss of balance, Head tilt, Loss of bladder control, Inability to breathe, Extreme tiredness, Disorientation, Loss of vision, Circling, Falling |
| Causes | Cushing's disease, High blood pressure, Blood clotting disorders, Underactive thyroid glands, Trauma, Clotting disorders, Tick-borne diseases, Von Willebrand factor deficiency, Clotting factor abnormalities, Diseases leading to reduced platelet numbers, Cancer, Bacterial infections, Head injury, Hypertension, Heart disease, Kidney disease, Increased or abnormal blood clotting, Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, Protein-losing nephropathy, Sepsis, Heartworm disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis |
| Treatment | Oxygen therapy, Intravenous fluids, Medication to control seizures, Medication to decrease intracranial pressure, Blood pressure medication, Anticoagulant medication, Medication to correct hypothyroidism, Physical therapy |
What You'll Learn
What are the signs of a stroke in dogs?
- Abnormal eye movements, such as flicking from side to side, constant rotation, or darting in different directions.
- Loss of balance, including sudden loss of balance, inability to stand, leaning to one side, or needing to lean on something/someone for support.
- Loss of control over body systems, such as loss of bladder control and difficulty breathing.
- Extreme tiredness, which may be a sign of loss of consciousness.
- Disorientation, such as being unable to respond to spoken directions, walking in circles, or appearing drunk and unable to walk in a straight line.
If you suspect your dog is having a stroke, get them to a vet immediately.
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What are the two types of stroke?
There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage that obstructs blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a clot, a buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis), or a blockage caused by something that has travelled from another part of the body, such as a blood clot from the heart. Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all strokes and can be further classified into thrombotic and embolic strokes.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissues. This can be caused by an aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Both types of strokes can also be classified by their location, such as a brain stem stroke, or the affected arteries, such as a middle cerebral artery stroke.
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What causes a stroke?
A stroke occurs when there is a disruption to the blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a blood clot, a bleed, or a burst blood vessel.
There are two types of strokes: ischaemic and haemorrhagic. Ischaemic strokes are caused by a sudden lack of blood supply to the brain and are often the result of thrombosis (narrowing of an artery) or embolism (clogging of an artery by material from elsewhere in the body). Haemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding within the brain and can be further categorised as intraparenchymal haemorrhage (bleeding within the brain tissue) or subdural/subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding between the brain and the skull).
There are many underlying conditions that can cause strokes in dogs, including:
- Cushing's disease
- Hyperlipidemia
- Chronic kidney disease
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypothyroidism
- Heart disease
- Clotting disorders
- Trauma
- Tumours
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Poisoning
- Vascular abnormalities
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How is a stroke diagnosed?
Strokes in dogs are relatively rare and can be difficult to spot. If you suspect your dog is having a stroke, get them to the vet immediately.
If a vet suspects your dog has had a stroke, they will need to run some tests to make a definite diagnosis. These include:
- Imaging tests: CT scans, MRIs, CT or MR angiograms, carotid ultrasounds, and trans-cranial Doppler ultrasounds can help visualise the brain and blood vessels, and detect any blockages or bleeding.
- Neurological exam: This tests how well the nervous system is functioning and can indicate whether a stroke has occurred and its severity.
- Blood tests: While there is no blood test to diagnose a stroke, certain blood tests can help determine the cause of stroke-like symptoms, such as serum electrolyte tests, blood clotting tests, and thyroid tests.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test records electrical activity in the brain and can rule out seizures as the cause of symptoms.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the heart's electrical activity and can help determine if atrial fibrillation caused the stroke.
These tests can help diagnose the type of stroke, including:
- Ischaemic stroke: Occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain and is the most common type of stroke.
- Haemorrhagic stroke: Happens when a blood vessel bursts.
- Transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke): Stroke symptoms last less than 24 hours.
Diagnosing a stroke quickly is crucial, and tests often begin in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. This is why it's important to call emergency services rather than drive to the hospital yourself.
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How is a stroke treated?
Strokes in dogs are rare and can be difficult to spot. There is no specific treatment to repair damage to a dog's brain following a stroke. However, there are ways to help your dog recover and prevent further strokes.
Identifying a stroke
Strokes occur when there is a disruption to the blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a clot or bleeding within the brain.
Symptoms of a stroke in dogs include:
- Loss of balance
- Loss of bladder control
- Inability to breathe
- Extreme tiredness
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to respond to spoken directions
- Abnormal eye movements
If you suspect your dog is having a stroke, get them to the vet immediately.
Treatment and recovery
While there is no specific treatment for strokes in dogs, there are ways to help your dog recover and prevent further strokes.
- Intravenous fluids: Administering intravenous fluids will help your dog's brain maintain oxygen and vital nutrients, while also flushing out any waste products.
- Diagnostics and medication: Your vet will likely run diagnostics to identify the cause of the stroke and may prescribe medication to help prevent clots from forming in the future.
- Underlying conditions: Strokes are often linked to underlying conditions such as Cushing's disease, hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Treating these conditions can help prevent future strokes.
- Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy can aid in your dog's rehabilitation process.
- Regular check-ups: Regular check-ups with the vet can help address potential causes and reduce the likelihood of future strokes.
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Frequently asked questions
The signs of a dog having a stroke include a sudden loss of balance, abnormal eye movements, nausea or vomiting due to balance issues, wandering in circles, loss of body control, weakness on one side, and misjudging their steps.
If you think your dog is having a stroke, act quickly and seek immediate veterinary care. Stay with your dog until the stroke is over, elevate their head to help the blood flow away from their brain, and offer them water occasionally.
The possible causes of strokes in dogs include high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, underactive thyroid glands, and some medications.
Yes, dogs can recover after a stroke. The recovery depends on several factors, such as the severity of the stroke and any underlying health conditions. Most dogs that survive ischemic strokes have a good chance of recovering.
