Dog owners warned about 'pretty common' sign pets are having a stroke
A vet has highlighted the main things to look out for in your pet – and some of these behaviour patterns are things that can be easily missed if you're not aware of them
Many households across the globe are blessed with a canine companion, and given their endless love and steadfast loyalty, it's easy to understand why. Adopting a dog is a significant commitment that necessitates a major lifestyle shift – dogs need constant affection, attention, care, regular vet visits and daily exercise.
With an estimated 10.6 million pet dogs in the UK, many owners are keen to keep their cherished pets as healthy as possible. This is evident on social media, where countless videos from animal enthusiasts and professionals alike share their knowledge and advice with the public.
Being able to identify signs of serious and debilitating health conditions can make a huge difference to your dog's life. So in one video shared on social media, an expert highlighted the "early warning signs and symptoms to look out for" that indicate a stroke in a dog or cat.
Dr Sheena Sanil, a veterinary neurologist at Florida-based vets SEVN, explained: "It turns out that strokes are pretty common in our small animal friends, so it's important to recognise the signs. Strokes occur suddenly without any warning signs and they should not be painful but can cause an abrupt and severe onset of symptoms.
"Symptoms depend on the area of the nervous system where the stroke has occurred. Symptoms of a stroke in a pet's forebrain include walking in circles, seizures, behavioural changes, head pressing [and] blindness."
The vet outlined that symptoms of a stroke in pets' brain stem or cerebellum can include "poor balance, vomiting, nystagmus – or abnormal eye movements – weakness on one side of the body, high stepping, head tremors, severe mentation changes or changes in the consciousness, acute circling or spinning."
Dr Sanil added: "Just like in people, strokes in pets occur either when the blood flow to part of the brain is obstructed, which is known as an ischemic stroke, or when a blood vessel bursts and deprives nerve cells of oxygen, which is a haemorrhagic stroke.
"Strokes generally occur in older pets and are often secondary to a chronic metabolic disorder. Cases of an ischemic stroke are often secondary to hypothyroidism, renal disease, Cushing's disease, neoplasia or cardiac disease.
"While cases of haemorrhagic strokes are often secondary to clotting disorders, metastatic cancer and toxins. However, about 50% of strokes in dogs have no identifiable underlying cause."
The vet concluded: "It is also worth noting that some dog breeds are much more prone to strokes, such as the greyhounds and mini schnauzers."
In the caption with the video, Dr Sanil advised: "If you suspect your dog or cat may be affected, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Contact a veterinary neurologist to discuss the best path forward for your pet."
It's important to remember that both novices and professionals who share their personal experiences or expert advice on social media can only offer a generalised view, as they don't know you or your pet personally.
If you have any worries about your pet, it's always best to take them to your vet for a personalised consultation and tailored treatment plan.
If you're thinking about getting a dog, make sure you do your homework first. Training is crucial for puppies and dogs, and not all breeds are suitable for first-time owners.
For anyone planning to bring a pet into their home, consider the benefits of adopting a puppy or older dog from a charity or local shelter, rather than buying from a breeder.
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