Signs of Stroke in Pets

Pets can have strokes just like their owners can, but the signs of a stroke are often different. While some signs of stroke are the same with most types of pets, there are signs specific to different species. The pet should be taken to the vet at the first sign of a stroke. The best chance of survival is early treatment.

  1. Cats

    • Signs of strokes in cats include tilting the head to one side, balance problems, confusing, loss of bowel control, changes in behavior, lack of energy and/or interest, going around in circles and falling down and suddenly becoming blind. With proper treatment, a full recovery is possible from a few weeks to a few months.

    Dogs

    • Signs of a stroke in dogs will appear suddenly, out of the blue. They can include tilting the head to one side, walking around in a circle, going the wrong way when he is called, eating out of one side of the food bowl exclusively, balance problems, tiredness, loss of control of the bladder and/or bowels, blindness and changes in behavior. If the stroke is serious, it will include heart arrhythmia, and the dog will collapse. A dog can recover from a stroke in as little as a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the stroke and the course of treatment.

    Birds

    • Older budgies, cockatiels or lovebirds are the most likely to get strokes. Signs include paralysis, the bird not being able to sit on a perch or swing, not being able to fly and screaming. One side of the bird is affected, even being blind in just one eye. The bird will become disoriented, panic and be hard to calm down. The bird may also have a loss of appetite. If the bird does not respond to medication within a week, it is not likely to at all.

    Horses

    • Signs of a stroke in a horse can appear suddenly. The signs include loss of balance, loss of bowel control, loss of the ability to stand or hold the head erect, thrashing about, swollen legs, bumping into the stall walls, trouble standing up, rapid breathing, temperature of more than 103 degrees. If the horse does not respond to treatment within two weeks, the vet will probably recommend putting the animal down.