Dog Stroke Symptoms:

Dogs are afflicted with almost all the diseases that man is also familiar with. Unfortunately, our pets are not always able to tell us if they are suffering. They rely on our powers of observation and therefore, it is the duty of a responsible pet owner to observe the symptoms of disease in pets and take appropriate corrective measures.

When dogs get old, like humans, their hearts grow weaker too. Dogs may have strokes but often, this gets neglected because the pet owners are not able to understand the symptoms of the dog. Dogs have typical symptoms during a stroke. These symptoms are rather easy to identify. Here are some of the symptoms of strokes in dogs:

• The first thing that gets affected when a dog has a stroke is its vision. Though old dogs also naturally turn blind, vision loss due to stroke is different. You may see your dog behaving normally and then suddenly, the dog appears disoriented and starts to bump into things. In case of blindness, the dog may feel disoriented for a few days before starting to bump into things. It is important to differentiate between vision loss due to a stroke and vision loss due to old age, so that the dog can get the appropriate treatment.
• The dog may seem extremely lethargic, refusing to budge from its resting place. If there is a sudden change in the level of activity of the dog, it is indicative of a stroke. The dog may feel lethargy because the brain activity of the dog changes suddenly. Some dogs may even suffer from bleeding in the brain due to which they become lethargic.
• The dog may not be able to feel any sensation in a particular part of the body. As a result, the dog starts to ignore that particular part of the body completely.

If you observe any of these symptoms, you should immediately take your dog to a doctor. The doctor will perform some tests on the dog to confirm a stroke. Blood tests etc will be conducted by the vet to identify the exact problem. It is also important to note that taking care of a dog that has recently suffered a stroke is extremely crucial. The dog may experience another stroke soon and therefore adequate rest should be given to it. The dog should be prevented from participating in any exhausting or straining activities. Until the dog has recovered adequately from the stroke, it is advisable that the dog gets complete rest.