Stroke in dogs: causes and first aid

Proper care for any pet is composed of many components. But even if you carefully follow all the recommendations for feeding and the regime of motor activity of the pet, this, unfortunately, is not a guarantee of his absolute health. All animals get sick from time to time. Can there be a stroke in dogs, how can I independently determine and treat this pathology?

Stroke - what is it?

Stroke is an acute violation of the blood circulation of the brain. With this pathology, the cells do not receive enough oxygen. Very often the result of a stroke is the defeat of individual parts of the brain or the whole hemisphere. This is a neurological disease that affects people and many animals. Sometimes there is a stroke in dogs. And this means that each owner of a four-legged pet must know the first signs of this pathology and be able to recognize it in time.

With stroke, the account is literally for minutes. The preservation of animal life and the success of rehabilitation directly depend on the speed of care. In medicine, there is a complex classification of the varieties of this disease. It will be useful to the non-specialist to know that ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke are distinguished. In the first case, it is a hemorrhage in the brain, which occurred due to the rupture of the walls of the vessel. A hemorrhagic stroke is a clogging of blood vessels.

The provoking factors

In fact, a stroke in dogs is a disease that does not occur very often. It is difficult to accurately determine the breeds that are predisposed to this pathology. If you believe statistics, most often suffer from large animals. At risk, dogs that are in venerable age.

Stroke is a neurological disease that occurs most often in hyperexcitable animals exposed to constant stress. Scientists believe that this pathology is more likely to threaten dogs living in urban apartments. Another factor that provokes a stroke is the presence of severe chronic diseases in the animal. Most often, disorders of cerebral circulation are caused by diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver, thyroid gland. Stroke can become a complication in high blood pressure, Cushing's syndrome and diabetes.

Causes of Stroke

Why does a stroke occur in dogs? There are several reasons for the development of this pathology. Often, the disease develops against a background of poisoning with medical drugs or toxic substances. Stroke can also cause a brain injury and a brain tumor. This pathology is diagnosed in animals with excessive body weight. Often, the disease is a complication of heart disease and blood vessels, inflammatory processes in the circulatory system.

Do you want the pet to rejoice in your health and well-being? Try to minimize the amount of stress in the dog's life, consult a specialist about training and general activity for the pet. Remember: physical and mental overstrain can also trigger a stroke.

Symptoms of cerebral circulation disorder

Every owner should remember that even if his pet is perfectly healthy and is not at risk, a stroke can happen at any time. Try to remember the main symptoms of this disease and give your pet enough attention daily. What are the signs of a stroke in dogs are observed most often?

If the cerebral circulation is disturbed, the animal can behave aggressively or, conversely, be listless and sleepy. If a well-born pet suddenly ceases to obey the owner and react to commands, this is an alarming symptom. Violation of coordination of movements, partial paralysis can be external manifestations of a stroke. In some animals there is a skewed muzzle (muscle disruption) and a change in the size of the pupils. In severe cases, a stroke in a dog has the following symptoms: violation of heart rhythm and breathing, fainting and seizures, coma.

First aid at home

It is important to understand that a stroke is a very serious pathology that can lead to death. The best option for her treatment is to show the animal to the veterinarian at the first suspicion. If this is not possible, the owner will have to provide first aid on his own. To maintain cardiovascular activity, the dog can be given "Cordiamin" or "Sulfocamphocaine". "Mannitol", "Mannitol" or "Furosemide" - drugs that can prevent cerebral edema. If you are sure that an ischemic stroke in a dog has occurred, treatment at home can include taking "Euphyllin", "No-shpy", "Papaverin".

Do not be redundant in these cases, and antioxidants, for example the most harmless of them - ascorbic acid. With cramps, you can give "Seduxen" or "Relanium". And still, whenever possible, before starting treatment, it is advisable to consult (let and remotely) with a veterinarian. Remember that it is very important to calculate the dosage of drugs, which is administered individually, depending on the weight of the animal.

Clinical diagnosis

Stroke has a number of fairly pronounced symptoms. At home unprofessional examination of the pet there is always a possibility of incorrect diagnosis. In veterinary clinics before the appointment of a planned treatment the doctor not only conducts a visual and neurological examination of the caudate patient, but also assigns a series of studies. The stroke is diagnosed by blood and urine tests, ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, MRI of the brain. Depending on the symptomatology, one of the listed studies may be chosen or all at once.

Treatment of stroke

After setting the exact diagnosis and assessing the patient's condition, the doctor prescribes medication. The most difficult are the first 3-5 days after a stroke. The statistics are frightening, but it is in this time interval that the probability of a lethal outcome is 50%. If necessary, the veterinarian can leave the dog in the clinic for constant monitoring and the most effective treatment. Regular therapy is prescribed for 10-15 days, during which the animal should be inspected regularly by the doctor. At this time the patient continues to receive medication, peace and a therapeutic diet are recommended. In severe cases, dogs after a stroke can receive medicines and be monitored for up to a month and a half.

Rehabilitation after cerebrovascular accident

After the end of the course of intensive therapy, a restorative treatment is prescribed. According to individual indications, new pharmaceuticals are prescribed. Usually it is nootropics and vascular drugs, with hypertension can be prescribed tablets, normalizing the pressure. Stroke in the dog treatment involves prolonged, for complete recovery of the pet and exclusion of the probability of relapse.

During rehabilitation, it is useful to do massage, observe the regime of the day and monitor the physical activity of the pet. The diet is prescribed individually, the main principles of nutrition - a large number of meals, switching to a liquid and semi-liquid diet (canned food, wet food and broths). For a speedy recovery, the animal should be protected from any stresses and nervous shocks.

Observe all these recommendations is just as important as treating a stroke correctly in a dog. Symptoms, the first signs and external manifestations of pathology should be learned by every dog owner. The sooner the correct treatment is started, the more chances the animal has for a full recovery.