| Introduction | | | | supportive care, and addressing the cause of the |
| Stroke in dogs is a condition that requires | | | | stroke. If the stroke has been caused by an |
| immediate veterinarian treatment. Once a stroke | | | | underlying medical condition such as diabetes or |
| has been diagnosed the treatments will begin as | | | | Cushing's disease, the underlying medical condition |
| soon as possible. The treatment protocol for | | | | must be brought under control in order for the |
| stroke in dogs depends on what type of stroke | | | | stroke to be treated. If the stroke has been |
| has occurred, and why the dog has experienced a | | | | caused by an injury to the brain, or inflammation |
| stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment will | | | | of the brain, supportive care and medications are |
| drastically increase the outlook for a full recovery. | | | | administered. |
| If your dog displays any signs of symptoms of | | | | Medications which may help to reduce any |
| stroke, take your dog to a veterinarian or | | | | permanent effects of a stroke include |
| emergency clinic immediately. | | | | anti-inflammatory medications such as |
| There are two types of strokes that can occur in | | | | corticosteroids to control the swelling in the brain |
| dogs: ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. | | | | and anti-seizure medications. Intravenous fluid |
| Ischemic strokes occur when the blood supply to | | | | therapies are also provided to help combat shock. |
| the brain has been reduced and the brain | | | | Recovery from a stroke can take days, to |
| becomes oxygen starved. Hemorrhagic strokes | | | | weeks, to months. It all depends on how much |
| occur when a vessel in the brain bursts and | | | | damaged occurred and how quickly treatments |
| bleeding in the brain occurs. While strokes in dogs | | | | were begun. Pet owners may also need to |
| are not common, there are a variety of disorders | | | | provide supportive care at home for the |
| and conditions that can cause a stroke to occur. | | | | recovery period. Fortunately, most dogs that |
| Treating a Stroke in Dogs | | | | have experienced a stroke have a good |
| Treatment for a stroke in dogs focuses on | | | | prognosis. |