Dogs are suceptible to two types of strokes: hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted because of bleeding in the brain. Ischemic stroke happens when blood flow is stopped because of a blocked artery.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms can vary based on the severity of the stroke and which part of the brain is affected. Symptoms can include loss of balance, loss of bladder and bowel control, sudden changes in behavior, tilting of the head and turning the wrong direction when called.
Diagnosis
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If you suspect a stroke, take your dog to the veterinarian. The vet will do an MRI or CT scan while the dog is under anesthesia to determine if a stroke has occurred.
Cause
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Stroke in dogs is usually caused by an underlying medical condition. These causes include heart disease, high blood pressure, Cushing's disease, thyroid imbalance and brain tumors.
Treatment
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There is no treatment for stroke that will repair the damage to the brain. Treatment will consist of treating the underlying cause to prevent further stroke.
Prognosis
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If a dog survives the initial stroke and survives the first week following a stroke, he probably will continue to survive as long as the underlying cause is discovered and treated. Dogs recover faster than humans from stroke, so recovery will take a few weeks.
Potential
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Some brain damage caused by the stroke may be permanent and affect behavior and mobility.
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