How to detect and treat strokes in dogs

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Strokes, or cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), occur when there is a lack of proper blood flow to part of the brain due to blood clots or ruptured blood vessels, starving it of oxygen. This disrupts normal bodily function and leads to variable outcomes that depend on what part and how much of the brain is affected. Strokes are uncommon in dogs but are medical emergencies. If you have a dog, read on to learn:

• What causes strokes in dogs
• Symptoms of stroke in dogs
• How canine strokes are diagnosed and treated
• What to do if you think your dog is having a stroke

Clinical signs associated with strokes in dogs include abnormal body posture, abnormal eye movements and positioning, weakness, loss of balance, head tilt, and other neurologic symptoms. Symptoms like these also occur with many other health conditions in dogs. A diagnosis from a veterinarian is necessary in order to know how to treat a dog with neurologic symptoms. Stroke treatment for dogs involves supportive care and varies depending on the location and extent of damage to the brain.

A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke, describes when there is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain. The lack of blood flow causes the affected brain tissue to be starved of oxygen, and tissue damage occurs as a result. When part of the brain is damaged, it can no longer function properly. There are two types of stroke in dogs:

• Ischemic: Obstruction of blood vessels in the brain or leading to it, often from a blood clot
• Hemorrhagic: Rupture of blood vessels in the brain, causing blood to pool and put pressure on nearby brain tissue

Strokes in dogs are uncommon and are most often caused by blood clots (ischemic strokes). However, canine strokes are considered medical emergencies and require immediate veterinary care.

Causes of stroke in dogs

Various underlying health conditions can increase the risk of stroke in dogs. Any medical condition that increases the risk of blood clots and blood loss, or affects blood flow to the brain can contribute to a stroke.

Common conditions in dogs that have the potential to lead to an ischemic stroke include:

• Cushing’s disease
• Kidney disease
• Heartworm disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Cancer

Underlying health issues in dogs that can make conditions more likely for a hemorrhagic stroke include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Tick-borne illnesses
• Rat bait poisoning
• Bleeding disorders
• Brain tumor

“While strokes are uncommon in dogs, some health conditions that can increase the risk of stroke occur with more frequency,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “Many dogs who have a stroke have high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. Cushing’s disease and kidney failure are two of the most common illnesses associated with canine stroke.”

Symptoms of stroke vary depending on what part(s) of the brain is affected, how much of the brain is affected, and how long the stroke has been going on. Clinical signs of stroke in dogs include:

• Abnormal body posture
• Head tilt
• Difficulty walking (ataxia)
• Abnormal eye positioning or movement
• Blindness
• Less responsive than usual
• Loss of consciousness
• Weakness
• Head pressing
• Seizures

Stroke symptoms are usually sudden and stop progressing after 24–72 hours. Hemorrhagic strokes often have more severe symptoms than ischemic strokes.

Medical conditions with similar clinical signs

Various other health issues in dogs have similar clinical signs to strokes and are more common. These conditions include:

• Vestibular disease
• Toxicoses, such as antifreeze or rat bait
• Epilepsy
• Middle or inner ear infections, inflammation, or tumors

Vestibular disease is a common condition in dogs that’s often confused with a stroke. It’s important to get immediate veterinary care if symptoms associated with stroke are observed to get an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostic tests are needed to determine if a dog is having a stroke or a different issue when associated symptoms are present. Diagnostics may include:

• Physical and neurologic examination
• Blood tests and measuring blood pressure
• Urinalysis
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans
• Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid

Identifying a blood clot or bleed within the brain on an MRI is the only way to conclusively diagnose a stroke. A referral to a veterinary neurologist may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and receive treatment. There’s no specific stroke treatment for dogs. Treatment methods focus on supportive care and relieving intracranial pressure. Treatment may include:

• IV fluids
• Feeding tube placement
• Blood pressure medication
• Physical therapy
• Oxygen therapy
• Blood thinners
• Treatment for underlying health conditions

A dog who’s had a stroke may require hospitalization for supportive nursing care, 24-hour monitoring, and repeat testing as they recover. Stroke symptoms in dogs often improve within 24–72 hours. Dogs may fully recover from a stroke, but some may have permanent symptoms due to brain damage. Prognosis varies depending on many factors, which may include:

• Underlying cause of the stroke
• Type of stroke
• How much of the brain has been affected
• Part of the brain affected
• How quickly the stroke was detected and treated

It’s important to seek medical attention right away if your dog has:

• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty or inability to walk normally
• Sudden loss of vision
• Paralysis or weakness

These symptoms are considered emergencies, whether they’re caused by a stroke or a different medical issue. Stroke symptoms often appear suddenly and can be severe.

Many other health conditions have similar symptoms, so it’s important to get a definitive diagnosis from a veterinarian. If you’re unsure if your dog needs emergency attention, triage with an online vet is an excellent tool to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your pet.

How do you treat a stroke in a dog?

Dogs who have had a stroke are treated with supportive care and management of underlying conditions that may have contributed to the stroke. There’s no specific treatment for canine stroke. Care may include fluids, assistance eating and walking, physical therapy, and other medical therapies or nursing care.

Can a dog recover from a stroke?

Some dogs can recover from a stroke, while others will have permanent brain damage that leads to lifelong symptoms. The outcome of a canine stroke varies based on many factors, such as the severity of the stroke, what part(s) of the brain was affected, how much of the brain was affected, and how quickly the stroke was detected and treated.

What are the common signs of stroke in dogs?

Symptoms of stroke in dogs are similar to those of many other health conditions. Clinical signs can include uncoordinated movements, abnormal posture, head tilt, abnormal eye movements or position, loss of consciousness, and other neurologic signs.