Stroke in Dogs or Canine stroke
A “stroke” is the sudden and severe attack in which there is rupture of a blood vessel in the brain that deprives parts of the brain of their normal blood supply,results in loss of consciousness, paralysis and perhaps other symptoms depending upon the site and extent of the brain damage.
In dogs, strokes occur when the normal blood supply to the brain has been compromised,When dog has a stroke, they don’t show signs such as paralyzed like human.At that time we have to help, pay attention, right care and treatments for the dog to get back to normal condition within a short period of time. If the treatment is delayed or if proper treatment is not provided, then it can surely lead to the death of the dog. If the dog is has had a stroke,we can immediately observe a change in the dog behavior. Bull dogs and pugs are more prone to stroke. Since, the respiratory pathway of these dogs is extremely narrow, they are prone to strokes. Very old and very young dogs are also susceptible to strokes.
Types of canine stroke
There are mainly two types of canine stroke
1) ischemic
2) hemorrhagic
Ischemic stroke is caused by sudden stop of blood flow feed to the brain and hemorrhagic stroke when blood vessels in the brain start to bleed and blood actually starts pooling around and in the brain. Both of these types of stroke are very serious.
Causes of canine stroke
Ischemic stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to a blocked artery. the main causes of ischemic stroke include
a) any type of Kidney, liver, heart or cushing’s disease
b)Diabetes
c)Parasites
d) tumours
e) hypertension (High blood pressure )
f) Over or under active of thyroid
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when blood vessel get ruptured lead to bleed in the brain. The following conditions are the main causes:
1) All types of diseases that can lead to high blood pressure such as kidney, heart, cushing’s, blood clotting diseases etc.
2) Head trauma
3) brain tumour
4) consumption of rat poison
5) inflammation of arteries(vasculitis)
6) Lung worm (angiostrongylosis)
7) Immune-mediated thrombo cytopenia
8) Abnormal blood vessel development in the brain
How stroke happens?
Strokes happen when blood flow get disrupt in the brain. The disruption causes the nerves and neural pathways in the brain to stop working properly, which can create serious problems with coordination, vision and general behavior. If left untreated, a canine stroke will almost certainly result in death.