
Popcorn is a popular snack, but can you share it with your dog? The answer is yes, but only in certain circumstances. Plain, air-popped, unsalted, and unbuttered popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts as an occasional treat. However, buttered, salted, or flavoured popcorn can be harmful to dogs and should be avoided. Unpopped kernels can pose a choking hazard or get stuck in your dog's teeth, so it's important to supervise your dog if you do choose to give them popcorn. As with any new food, it's always best to check with your veterinarian first to ensure it's safe for your dog's individual needs.
What You'll Learn
Loss of balance
Other symptoms of a stroke in dogs include:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Paresis (weakness of voluntary movements)
- Ataxia (inability to control movements)
- Change in behaviour (e.g., a calm dog becomes aggressive)
- Inability to recognise their owner
- Extreme tiredness
- Abnormal eye movements
- Rapid breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Bright red eyelids and gums
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Loss of bladder control
If you suspect your dog is having a stroke, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. The vet will perform a physical examination, review the dog's medical history, and conduct diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions and confirm the presence of a stroke. Treatment for strokes in dogs focuses on managing the underlying cause, minimizing further damage, and supporting the dog's recovery. This may include medications, rehabilitation, and supportive care.
The prognosis for dogs that have suffered a stroke varies depending on the severity, underlying cause, and promptness of treatment. Some dogs may experience a full recovery, while others may have residual neurological deficits. It is important to follow the veterinarian's instructions for medication and provide a safe environment for the dog to recover in.
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Abnormal eye movements
Nystagmus is the word used to describe abnormal eye movements in dogs. It is characterised by flickering or twitching eye movements that the dog is unable to control. Nystagmus can manifest as the dog's eyes moving up and down, side to side, or in a circular motion. While it is normal for dogs to experience nystagmus when looking out of a moving car window or when their head is moving from side to side, nystagmus is abnormal when the dog's head is still.
Nystagmus is nearly always caused by a problem in the vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and brain and controls the dog's balance. There are several types of nystagmus:
- Horizontal nystagmus: Caused by a problem in the ear or brain.
- Vertical nystagmus: Caused by a problem in the brain.
- Rotatory nystagmus: Caused by a problem in the ear or brain.
Nystagmus is often a symptom of vestibular disease, which can be caused by:
- Old dog vestibular disease (idiopathic vestibular disease): Common in older dogs, with no known cause, and usually improves quickly.
- Ear problems: Ear infection, inflammation, a benign growth, or a tumour.
- Brain problems: Infection, inflammation, tumour, or stroke.
- Trauma: To the ear or head.
- Medication side effects: Some medications are toxic to the ears.
- Congenital vestibular disease: Puppies are born with vestibular disease and deafness.
If your dog is experiencing nystagmus, they may also exhibit other symptoms such as falling over, disorientation, vomiting, or reduced appetite. Contact your vet immediately if you observe these symptoms, even if your dog does not appear to be in distress.
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Weakness on one side of the body
If your dog is suffering from weakness on one side of the body, it is important to get them to the vet immediately. In the meantime, you can help your dog by doing the following:
- Elevate their head to relieve pressure and limit blood flow to the brain.
- Offer them water, but only allow them to drink for a few seconds at a time.
- Keep them calm by talking to them in a soft voice.
- Provide a warm and comfortable resting place.
- Reposition them regularly if they are unable to move.
Additionally, there are some underlying medical conditions that can lead to a stroke in dogs, such as undetected blood clots, ruptured blood vessels or aneurysms, Cushing's disease, hypertension, and exposure to toxins such as rat poison. Regular check-ups with the vet can help address these potential causes and reduce the likelihood of your dog experiencing a stroke.
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Loss of appetite
If your dog is refusing to eat, there are a few things you can try to stimulate their appetite. Firstly, try feeding them a "stinky" dog food, like Mighty Dog, and warm it up to enhance the smell. If this doesn't work, you should take your dog to the vet, who can prescribe medications to stimulate their appetite. Drugs that are commonly used include corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, and megestrol acetate.
If your dog still won't eat, you will have to decide whether to put a feeding tube in. This is commonly done, and your dog can often be fed at home through the tube until their appetite returns.
In the meantime, you can try to stimulate their appetite by warming their food slightly or adding warm water to kibble (be careful not to make it too hot). You can also add canned food or low-sodium chicken broth to kibble. You may find that your dog responds better to hand-feeding with fingers or a spoon than eating from a bowl.
If your dog is refusing to eat due to pickiness or discomfort with mealtime, there are some things you can do to encourage them to eat:
- Cut back on treats
- Feed your dog on a regular schedule, at least twice a day
- Make mealtimes fun, e.g. by playing with a toy that dispenses food
- Take your dog for a walk before mealtime
- Change your dog's feeding situation—try feeding them alone, or try using different bowls or plates at different heights
- Try a different kind of food, e.g. canned food if you normally feed your dog dry food
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Frequently asked questions
The signs of a dog having a stroke include abnormal eye movements, a sudden loss of balance, loss of bladder control, and an inability to breathe.
If you think your dog is having a stroke, you should contact your vet immediately.
In about 50% of cases, dogs that have strokes will have an underlying or concurrent condition, such as Cushing's disease, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus.
There is no way to prevent strokes or predict if one is going to happen. However, if your dog has had a stroke, the prognosis is not as bleak as you might think. While some dogs have lasting neurological damage, most recover.