How to tell if your dog has a stroke or seizure

Perhaps the most obvious symptoms of a stroke are problems with balance and movement. Seizures lasting more than 5 mins status epilepticus are severe and you should seek immediate veterinary treatment.

Many dogs salivate or foam at the mouth and some urinate andor defecate involuntarily.

How to tell if your dog has a stroke or seizure. What are the signs my pet might be having a stroke. Cats tend to have dramatic signs if they experience a saddle thrombus including. Howling or meowing in pain.

Dragging one or both hind legs. Limping on a front leg. If your dog has a stroke signs often appear suddenly but may differ widely depending on the area of the brain affected.

If you think your dog might be having a stroke observe them to see if they seem extremely weak have darting eyes are unbalanced or lose conscious. Since a stroke can happen quickly your dog may have been acting normal just a few moments earlier. Unfortunately if these signs dont go away within a few days the more serious differentials may include a brain tumor or severe inflammation of the brain.

An MRI CT spinal tap and a visit to the veterinary neurologist are a must. Another rare cause for acute strokes in dogs is something called a fibrocartilagenous emboli FCE. While facial drooping is more common in people with strokes you may notice your dogs head is tilting to one side or that their facial expression appears odd.

Its also common for dogs to experience impaired vision or even blindness. Your vet can distinguish a stroke from a fainting spell by examining your dogs heart functions to rule out a cardiac problem. Tests may include an electrocardiogram ECG chest X-rays and possibly a cardiac ultrasound Dr.

If the heart is normal the brain will be examined by MRI or CAT scan. Be aware when your dog has entered the post-seizure phase. After a while your dog will come out of his seizure and enter the post-seizure phase.

Commonly your pet will seem confused disorientated and wobbly on his. Common symptoms of dog seizures include jerking twitching drooling foaming at the mouth and loss of consciousness. Your dog may fall over depending on the severity of the seizure or lose consciousness altogether.

If these symptoms dont all happen at once it may be difficult to predict a seizure or realize thats whats happening. Diagnosing Stroke in a Dog If you suspect your dog has had a stroke the first thing you need to do is take him to the vet for an examination. Your vet will first give your dog a physical exam and make a list of any outward signs.

If the signs appear to point toward a possible stroke your vet will then move on to a neurological exam. You may notice your dog start barking during sleep and fear hes having a seizure. To easily tell if it is a seizure or bad dream try waking your dog.

If its just a dream your dog will wake but you wont be able to rouse him if hes having a seizure. If you think your dog had a seizure. Some of the visible symptoms of a dog having a stroke are also symptoms of a seizure.

Perhaps the most obvious symptoms of a stroke are problems with balance and movement. You might see your dog tilting his head to one side or having trouble walking. If he has a history of seizures and has been diagnosed as epileptic keep a journal that includes the time date and length of each seizure along with other details you notice to help your vet know whether his medication should be adjusted.

If you suspect that your dog has. Symptoms can include collapsing jerking stiffening muscle twitching loss of consciousness drooling chomping tongue chewing or foaming at the mouth. Dogs can fall to the side and make.

Generalized or grand mal seizures. These usually involve the entire body. A dog suffering a grand mal seizure may fall over become stiff and shake its whole body violently.

Many dogs salivate or foam at the mouth and some urinate andor defecate involuntarily. Dogs may vocalize as well whining and growling during a seizure. You may also need to encourage your pet to eat and drink soon after he has suffered from a stroke and help him onto his feet and encourage him to take bathroom breaks outside.

Exercise especially strenuous exercise should be avoided. Once your dog is feeling well enough he will soon tell you when he is ready to start going on walks again. After the seizure many dogs exhibit a postictal phase characterized by disorientation.

This may last minutes to hours. The most commonly reported signs are behavior changes prolonged sleepiness confusion transient blindness and eating voraciously. With prompt veterinary attention most dogs with old dog vestibular syndrome and strokes eventually recover.

The information in this blog has been developed with our veterinarian and is designed to help educate pet parents. If you have questions or concerns about your pets health or nutrition please talk with your veterinarian. If your dog has multiple seizures within a short period cluster seizures you should get in contact with your veterinarian and seek immediate treatment.

Seizures lasting more than 5 mins status epilepticus are severe and you should seek immediate veterinary treatment. You should also try to cool your pup down with a damp towel on their.