Strokes are common in humans, but did you know dogs are sometimes susceptible too? Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby shares dog stroke symptoms to watch for and dog stroke treatments that can help your senior friend recover after a stroke occurs.
One afternoon you return home to find your senior pup stumbling around the house acting dizzy. He falls over, can’t get up, and now his eyes are moving back and forth erratically. You watch with alarm as your mind races.
“Maybe it’s a stroke—is it even possible for a dog to have a stroke?” you ask yourself. Regardless, you recognize your beloved dog is facing an emergency, and you know you need to get to the vet as quickly as possible.
Could it be vestibular disease and not a stroke?
Before we start talking about true strokes (i.e. disrupted blood flow to the brain), I want to briefly address one condition that often gets confused for a stroke by concerned dog parents—old dog vestibular disease. This condition occurs when there is a problem with the vestibular system, and it happens much more frequently than strokes in dogs.
The vestibular system includes the brain, cranial nerves, and inner ear, and helps create a picture of how the body is oriented in space. It indicates which way is up and if the body is moving or holding still.
Signs of vestibular disease
When the vestibular system malfunctions, a dog may experience:
- Loss of balance and poor coordination
- Head tilt or abnormal body position
- Rapid eye movement (nystagmus)
If you have ever experienced a dizzying episode of vertigo, you probably have a pretty good idea how a dog with vestibular disease may feel. Although the signs are alarming, the good news with this condition is that many dogs recover well and continue to have a great quality of life.
You can learn more about vestibular disease (which is not the topic for the rest of this article) in my article, Old Dog Vestibular Disease: A True Story About Doggie Vertigo. Also, if your veterinarian diagnoses your dog with vestibular disease, these 10 tips and exercises for dogs with vestibular disease may prove useful for the recovery period.
What is a stroke?
As mentioned earlier, a true stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Normally, arteries carry oxygenated blood to the brain. This blood also carries glucose, a type of sugar that is necessary to keep brain cells healthy. You can think of glucose as being “brain food.” In short, the brain must have blood, and its life-sustaining components, to function correctly.
Types of strokes
There are two things that will affect blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke—a physical obstruction of a blood vessel or a leaking blood vessel. Strokes are named based on which of these situations occurred.
- Ischemic stroke: A blood clot, also known as a thrombus, can lodge in a vessel and effectively block blood flow. Fatty deposits or even air in a blood vessel can also cause an obstruction.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: A leaking blood vessel in the brain can be caused by traumatic injuries or diseases like cancer that increase the ability of blood to move through the blood vessel walls. Decreases in the number of platelets or problems with blood clotting also make bleeding more likely to occur.
Can dogs have strokes?
Strokes are actually pretty rare in dogs. In fact, when I went to vet school, we were taught that strokes didn’t happen in animals. Now we know they do happen occasionally, sometimes for an unknown reason, and other times because the dog has an underlying condition that increases the stroke risk.
Greyhounds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may have an increased risk of having a stroke. Strokes also occur more commonly in young adult or senior dogs.
What are dog stroke symptoms?
People who suffer from a stroke may start to slur their words, seem confused, become dizzy and off balance, or experience numbness or weakness in the arms, legs, or face. However, since our dogs can’t explain in words what they are feeling, we have to rely on our observations.
Dog stroke symptoms will mostly be determined by the length of time the brain’s blood supply was cut off and the part of the brain that was affected. If you suspect that your canine companion is having a stroke, look for the following signs:
- Head tilt to one side
- Circling
- Abnormal eye movements or eye position
- Sudden loss of balance
- Unequal pupil size
- Sudden blindness
- Abnormal gait
- Uncoordinated movements
- Falling over
- Abnormal mental state
These signs indicate something may be wrong with your dog’s neurological system but are not necessarily specific to strokes. Toxin ingestion or other neurologic conditions such as seizures and vestibular disease can also have similar signs. All of these conditions are medical emergencies so if your dog is showing these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
What are the possible causes of strokes in dogs?
It is important to determine the underlying cause of a stroke in order to know if a dog’s stroke treatment will be effective. The list of possible causes is long, so we will just highlight a few of them.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
High blood pressure, or hypertension in dogs causes blood vessels to become very narrow and stiff over time. In these circumstances, it’s easier for blood clots to form, creating a physical vessel obstruction.
Because hypertension is one of the most common causes of strokes in dogs, I want to spend a bit more time discussing the diseases that could cause your dog’s blood pressure to increase:
- Cushing’s disease in dogs — This endocrine disorder involves the excessive release of cortisol from the adrenal glands. Hypertension occurs in some cases when blood vessels can’t dilate to reduce blood pressure and the hormone system that regulates blood pressure (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or RAAS) becomes activated.
- Heart disease — A diseased heart cannot pump enough blood to the body to meet its needs, so oxygen-depleted tissues will send signals to the heart to work harder. Blood vessels tend to constrict in an effort to improve blood pressure, and in patients with heart failure, the RAAS system kicks in, leading to hypertension.
- Kidney disease — The kidneys play a significant role in blood pressure regulation through the RAAS system, so kidney disease is often accompanied by hypertension. Kidney disease can also increase the leakiness of blood vessels or speed up the process of thickening or hardening of the blood vessels (arteriosclerosis), both of which could also lead to a stroke.
Increased or abnormal blood clotting
Some conditions make the blood more likely to clot abnormally. These clots can then lodge in a vessel and cause a stroke. Conditions leading to a hypercoagulable state (increased blood clotting) include:
- Immune mediated hemolytic anemia (A condition where the body attacks its own red blood cells.)
- Cushing’s disease in dogs
- Cancer (neoplasia)
- Protein-losing nephropathy (Kidney disease involving protein loss in the urine.)
- Sepsis (Organ or tissue damage that occurs due to the body’s abnormal response to infection.)
- Heartworm disease in dogs
Increased likelihood of bleeding
These conditions make a dog more likely to suffer from a hemorrhagic stroke by increasing the chances that bleeding will occur:
- Tick-borne diseases in dogs such as Anaplasmosis or Ehrlichiosis
- Von Willebrand factor deficiency or other clotting factor abnormalities
- Diseases leading to reduced platelet numbers
- Cancer (neoplasia) or noncancerous masses
- Some bacterial infections
- Trauma such as a head injury
How is a stroke diagnosed?
Conditions that cause strokes can have serious consequences without medical attention. That’s why it’s so important to seek help for your dog as soon as stroke symptoms are noticed. Your vet will perform comprehensive physical and neurologic exams and discuss your dog’s history and clinical signs with you. Then your vet might suggest dog lab tests like blood work, urine testing, and X-rays to gather more information.
While your vet may suspect a stroke based on your dog’s signs and diagnostics, advanced imaging (MRI or CT) is the best way to find a blood clot or signs of bleeding in the brain to definitively diagnose a stroke. These are typically performed at specialty clinics and university veterinary hospitals.
What does dog stroke treatment involve?
Depending on the underlying cause of the stroke and the severity of your dog’s signs, the vet might consider these treatments:
- Oxygen therapy or intravenous fluids to help optimize circulation and oxygen delivery to the brain.
- Medications to control seizures or decrease intracranial pressure.
- Treatments that target the underlying cause such high blood pressure or heart disease.
- Observation, monitoring, and supportive care.
You may have heard of using “clot buster” medications for human stroke patients, but they haven’t been thoroughly studied in veterinary medicine yet. To date, urokinase has shown some success in cats. However, streptokinase—a similar thrombolytic (clot busting) medication—caused very serious side effects including bleeding and even death.
How do I care for my dog who had a stroke?
The severity of your dog’s stroke and the underlying cause will dictate some of the at-home recommendations your veterinarian will make. In general, these measures may be helpful:
- Ensure your dog can easily reach the bowls to eat or drink.
- Provide soft bedding or a comfortable bed to rest on.
- Reposition your dog every four to six hours to prevent pressure sores.
- Change bedding as soon as it becomes soiled with urine or feces.
- Follow any other instructions given by your veterinarian and keep your vet informed about how your dog is doing.
Stroke prevention
Since it is known that some conditions may predispose dogs to strokes, dog parents may wonder if there is anything that can be done to decrease a dog’s stroke risk.
Medications like clopidogrel (Plavix®) are sometimes useful because they make the platelets less sticky. This decreases the risk that platelets will form a clot somewhere they shouldn’t and lead to a stroke. Amlodipine, a medication used to treat high blood pressure, may also decrease the risk of blood clots.
Likewise, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (or ACE inhibitors) like enalapril , which block portions of the RAAS system, can reduce blood pressure in heart disease, decreasing the stroke risk.
Prognosis for strokes in dogs
The good news is that most dogs who suffer a stroke will be able to resume their normal lives again. However, there are some cases where a severe stroke leads to long-term mobility difficulties or even behavioral changes. For these dogs, physical therapy can help them learn how to walk again. Additionally, a veterinary behavior specialist may also be able to give you exercises that can help to “re-train” your dog’s brain.
It can be worrisome to see your dog stumble around acting abnormally, and you be wondering if a stroke is to blame. Don’t panic. Instead, contact your veterinarian right away! With prompt diagnosis and treatment, chance are good your dog could make a full recovery.
Has your dog suffered from a stroke?
Please comment below. We can all benefit from each other’s experiences.
I have a 4 year old Maltese who suddenly started walking funny with his front legs I picked him up and he was stiff and front legs locked kinda thought it was a seizure but there was no jerking or anything put him back down on the ground and his back legs came off the ground he could not balance himself at all his head was slightly turning we don’t have an emergency vet anymore and his vet is closed could this be a stroke at his age? He is only 4 it didn’t last long and he is now back to normal activities including running around the house and playing and eating as normal.
Hi Vanessa,
I know how worried you must be for your little pup. The symptoms you are describing do sound like seizure activity. Depending on the kind of seizure and what part of the brain is being stimulated, you may not always see jerking or twitching like you think of with a “typical” seizure. I will attach a link to another article that may offer additional information. The article is geared toward senior dogs but is very applicable for younger dogs as well. I highly recommend you have your dog evaluated by a vet as soon as possible. I am glad he is back to normal and did not have any lasting effects. Wishing you both the best.
Old Dog Seizures: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Dog
My 15 year old chi mix just had an episode this morning where his gait was strange and he was kind of turning to one side. Before he fell over I picked him up and he seemed very confused. Looking up at me like what happened? I will take him to the vet tonight if I can but he seems to be ok right now, walking, drinking eating and no accidents, very worrisome event!
Hi Jenny,
I do think you should get your little guy to the vet as soon as possible. I am suspicious that what you are describing may be seizure activity. I hope your sweet boy is resting well tonight. Best wishes and good luck!
Dud you get vet answer?
I think my dog had a strike last week. She’s 14. One minute she’s normal, the next minute she even stand. Like a light switch cut off her leg muscles
Hi Jeannette,
The symptoms you are describing are very concerning. I highly recommend you have your pup evaluated by your vet as soon as possible. Hoping your senior girl is stable and feeling ok today.
My 13+ year old Springer Spaniel has had two strokes in the last four months. He has been a hunting dog his entire “career” and I’ve only in the last two years reduced his hunting time. He has an indoor/outdoor run so gets good exercise. In short he’s been an excellent athlete with no health issues of any kind. Has always had regular check ups. I’m wondering if giving him baby aspirin daily might be appropriate to help with blood flow.
Hi Gordon,
I understand your concern for your senior guy and the need to help find a way to prevent future issues. Unfortunately, I would not recommend an aspirin regimen for your pup. Aspirin can be difficult to correctly dose in dogs. At certain levels it can cause a complete loss of platelet function which can cause extreme bleeding issues (possibly fatal). Also, since I haven’t personally examined your dog, it is hard to make specific conclusions, but to get a definitive diagnosis of a stroke you might need to have your pup seen by a neurology specialist. With all of this said, I recommend you call your vet and discuss your concerns. They can let you know if more testing is needed before starting a course of treatment and what medication is best for your boy’s specific circumstances. I hope your sweet boy continues to live a happy and active life and I wish you both the best.
I have a 14 y/o standard schnauzer with underlying Cushings disease and a heart mumur (both diagnosed 2.5 yrs ago). He has also had consistent problems with his liver enzymes, so he gets blood work every 6 months as the numbers fluctuate. Yesterday he had a vet exam for regular check up and prescription refill. Approximately a hour later he suddenly started vomiting. He drank water and committed again and hour later. I then noticed he was walking a bit sideways but just very subtly. He seemed fine for the next hour so we went to bed. At 7 am we awoke and he had urinated and vomited again and was laying in it. Which is when I discovered he could not stand, and even with my assistance would just fall to the side. I immediately took him to the vet, where they pushed fluids and ran a ton of tests. The blood work demonstrated some kidney abnormalities and he will now be receiving an ultrasound in a week. After a couple hours of IV fluids he showed improvement and can now stand but has a head tilt, shifty eyes, and walks slowly and like “a drunk person” he is drinking water but has not had much of an appetite. We have been home from the vet for about an hour and he is just resting. Toxins were considered and ruled out by my vet. My vet is leaning toward a stroke, but has concerns it may be a vestibular disease. Either way she provided a positive prognosis. Does this sound more like a stroke or vestibular disease to you?
Hi Lauren,
I understand your concern for your Schnauzer boy and wanting to find some answers. Unfortunately, cases like his are not always straight forward and sometimes a definitive diagnosis is never found. Since I haven’t examined your pup myself, it is difficult to make specific conclusions. I feel like either diagnosis could fit based on the symptoms you are describing. It sounds like your vet has a great plan moving forward and I have no doubt your dog is in good hands. Wishing you both the best as you navigate this new path!
My female dachshund is 16 years old. Blind and deaf. She was doing well until two days ago. She stopped eating She will drink water but nothing solid will she touch. The vet could not see her except on a walk in basis. I didn’t want her to have to wait. She bumps into things and is very disoriented. Should I try to get her in with another vet? She does not seem to be in pain but sleeps a lot.
Hi Beth,
I am concerned about this sudden change in your pup’s behavior. Any time a senior dog stops eating and seems disoriented is cause for alarm. If you can’t get an appointment with your vet, I would recommend you try another clinic as soon as possible. Praying your sweet girl is ok and you can find the help she needs.
I ve got an 17 year old border terrier jack russell cross. He keeps fairly well, only a bit of arthritis in his hips and back legs. Last night he walked into the kitchen and stopped when I looked at him his head was tilted to one side and he looked like he was going to collapse to the same side. I picked him up and took him to show my son and when I put him down he was the same and wouldn’t respond to me or walk. However about 5 mins later he was back to himself and walking about responding to me. Does this sound like a stroke?
Hi Liz,
What you are describing sounds more like seizure activity, but since I have not examined your pup myself, it’s hard to make specific conclusions or recommendations. Also, a stroke is still a possibility and can’t be ruled out without some diagnostic testing. I highly recommend you contact your vet and have your senior guy evaluated. Here is a link to another article that has additional information: Old Dog Seizures: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Dog
I hope your boy is doing well since his scary episode and is living his best life. I hope you find the answers you are looking for and get a favorable diagnosis for your dog. Best wishes.
Hi. My 13 year old pinscher had a stroke a few days ago. Se has lost mobility in the left side and tries to walk in circles. One weird synthom is that she cannot stop barking/crying all day long. Not sure if this is normal? Or what to do to help her calm down?
Hi Maria,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and these worrisome new symptoms. What you are describing may not be stroke related. I highly recommend you call your vet and discuss your dog’s current condition. She may need to be examined as soon as possible to prevent further complications. Hoping you can find the answers you need to restore your girl’s quality of life. Wishing you both the best.
My dog is a 14 year old Golden Retriever, our local vet said that she had a stroke back in November. She got through it after about a week and went back to being her normal self. She then had another stroke that was about the same, but she kept the head tilt and some stumbling from time to time. Now she has suffered another stroke and we don’t know what to do. I feel like since she keeps having the strokes and bouncing back, that maybe there is something a neurologist can do to help her, but we don’t know what to do. We can’t keep letting her have a stroke every few weeks, but since she recovers so well, we don’t want to put her down either. Should we take her to get an MRI, but even if they found something, she is to old for surgery. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi Joey,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling so much with these recurring stroke-like episodes. I understand your concern for her quality of life and the need to find some answers. I do think it would be a good idea to schedule a consult with a veterinary neurologist. They may have some ideas about lab work or other testing that could be done to give some insight to the cause of these issues. Even if surgery is not an option, getting a diagnosis and prognosis will go a long way to helping make tough decisions about when to say goodbye. There may be a medication that could prevent future strokes once the cause is identified. I hope you find the answers you need to help your girl live her best life. I wish you both the best as you navigate this difficult road ahead.
Dealing with lots of guilt! My 13 year old yorkie fell out of bed then had 4 strokes over the next 3 days.. I didnt realize they were strokes until the last one that lasted 4-5 minutes and he deficated in the house. I took him to the vet and he was acting normal. Strikes were happening at night then he was fine during the day. The vet agreed he had a stroke and left it up to me to decide to put him down or not. I didnt know dogs could fully recover and was afraid he would continue having more which were hard to watch so i elected. to put him down. The vet did not challenge that decision so i thought it must have been best but now im reading most dogs revover and can return to normal. Im so guilt ridden i can barely function in my life. thoughts ?
Dear Traci,
I am sorry for the guilt and heartache you are carrying around over the tragic loss of your Yorkie. Since I did not examine him myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. I am suspicious that maybe the neurologic episodes you were witnessing were seizures instead of strokes. If this was the case, then you absolutely did the right thing by saving your little guy from additional suffering and pain. You did everything you could and made decisions based on the information you had at the time. I feel like your decision was a good one and it was made from a place of love. With time I hope you find some comfort and are able to let the guilt fade away. May his memory be a blessing.
My Dog is 13. She had a stroke and recovered ok. She is blind now I’m sure she is having another. She stumbles and runs into things. When I call her she does not come to me . She walks in circles. Take her outside I have to walk her in leash because I’m afraid she could not find her way back. It’s hard to see her not able to walk on leash very well. And walk into things . She just stares straight ahead and seems totally loss. Not sure what to . Will she come back before I know she won’t see again but she loses balance walks down the hallway and kinda bounces off the wall but continues down. She seems to just move her food around in bowl with her nose but eats little. She loves her treats she can smell it but just moves her face around trying to find it. Not sure what to do or put her down. She has been the best dog I have ever had. Any ideas how or what to do
Hi Patty,
I understand your concern with these worrisome symptoms and your senior girl. Since I haven’t examined her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. I am suspicious that some of what you are describing could be related to dementia/cognitive dysfunction. I will attach links to other articles that may offer new information. It would be a good idea to talk to you vet and discuss your concerns. They may have medications that could help restore your dog’s quality of life or help her function more normally. I hope you find the answers you are looking for to make the best choices for you and your girl. I wish you both the best.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Today my twelve year old collie began stumbling and his neck seemed jarred to one side.every time he stood up he collapsed.he has hardly ever been to the vets but just lately due to him peeing indoors after various tests it’s seems his kidneys are not brilliant.of course it was distressing to watch and I rang the vet and straight away took him in.They we’re waiting for me when I got there.by this time he was drooling all over the floor but managed to walk but stumbling as he walked into the surgery.I told the vet his symptoms and said that I felt he had had some kind of stroke.after examination she tended to agree but called it something else.He was given two injections and I took him home and he is very sleepy.I am sleeping downstairs with him tonight.The vet said sometimes dogs can have another stroke afterwards.I am taking him back to the vet tomorrow morning.I am praying he sleeps thro the night.I wonder if his kidney problems can be connected to all that has happened today.he is not on any meds but has special food for dogs with kidney probs.he was due another urine test next week and a test also for thyroid
Hi Jayne,
I am sorry your poor guy is struggling and dealing with the effects of a possible stroke. I am glad you were able to get him to the vet quickly so they could initiate treatment. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but I am not sure that the possible stroke and kidney issues are related. It might be a good idea to have your dog examined by a veterinary neurologist. They have access to advanced imaging and testing that could possibly allow a definitive diagnosis to be made. I hope your boy is doing better today and on the path to recovery. I wish you both the best as you navigate this difficult journey.
My neighbor is disabled and his 13 year old dog woke up this morning to her right eye drooping her activity though is normal. I looked at her gums and they are a dark pink. Could she of had a stroke. Would her having bad teeth cause something to happen. He doesnt have money to take her to the vet and has been crying all day because she is all he has.
Hi Lori,
I am sorry to hear about your neighbor’s dog. I know how worried he must be watching her deal with these scary symptoms and feel like he has no way to help her. Without examining her myself, I am not sure I can make specific recommendations. While a stoke can’t be ruled out at this point, it could be something as benign as a temporarily paralyzed facial nerve. Your best option is to figure out a way to get her examined by a veterinarian. There may be low-cost clinics in the area or a program through the local humane society that could help. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for. Thank you for reaching out for your neighbor. He is lucky to have you as a friend!
My 14 year old Shih Tzu had a stroke sometime last night. It’s Christmas Eve and I finally found a veterinarian to see her. She was given a steroid shot and Prednisone. I am going to get her in to her regular veterinarian on Monday. She’s been a healthy dog and I’m hoping she can survive longer. Im just wondering if older dogs do live through this or if it’s time to let her go.
Hi Allecia,
I understand how concerned you must be about your senior girl. I am glad you were able to find a veterinarian that could see her on Christmas Eve. The good news is most dogs do return to normal function after being treated for a stroke. It is important to try and find the cause of the stroke so you know which treatment options will give the best chances for a full recovery. I am glad you are planning for a follow up visit with your regular vet tomorrow. Praying you hear some positive things from your vet and that your sweet girl gets to feeling better quickly. Keep us updated!
I have been to the vet multiple times spent thousands before imaging. One day he was stumbling and his rt side of face drooped. My husband was very sick with cancer and just passed away this november. The vet did nothing i took him back for multiple follow ups . He seemed to get better but the stumbling happened again he started to shake his head and itch his ears which he does have allergies. I took him to an urgent vet who put him on abx. For and ear infection. Hes been doing great but then again today hes off balance but said its common with ear infections. Im at a loss and cannot afford 4000 imaging my husband just passed i dont know what to do
Hi Taylar,
I am so sorry you are living through the loss of your husband. The last thing you need is added stress from your dog being sick as well. The symptoms you are describing could be due to many different issues or disease processes. Since I have not personally examined your dog, I really can’t give any specific advice. I do think you need to have your dog rechecked by a vet to make sure the ear infection has resolved. If the ears are clear and the symptoms still persist, that may help narrow down a diagnosis. It is important to have a good working relationship with your vet and if you feel like this isn’t possible with who you are currently seeing, it never hurts to get a second opinion. Everyone is different and sometimes personalities just don’t mesh well for whatever reason. Ultimately, you need to be comfortable with your dog’s health care provider and feel like you can have an open discussion about your concerns and your budget. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for and help your boy get back on the path to living his best life.
My dog suffered a very bad stroke and because all the emergency vets no longer work all night, she passed. I believe it was caused by the Proin ER that she was put on for incontinence. That drug was taken off the market some time ago for people because it was known to cause strokes.
Hi Jan,
I am so sorry you lost your dog in such a tragic way. There is some new evidence that there may be an increased risk of stroke with Proin specifically in Greyhounds and is always a concern in dogs with high blood pressure. Other than those instances, it is still considered a relatively safe medication and works well for incontinence. I know it can be hard to deal with the loss of a beloved dog, especially when we don’t have exact answers for what happened. I hope with time your heart will heal and that her memory will be a blessing.
Yes, our dog has suffered a stroke.
He was treated at UC Davis over a year ago. He is on 2 types of blood pressure medications as well as a blood thinner.
They felt it was caused from extremely high blood pressure due to a tumor on his adrenal gland.
Hi Pam,
Thanks for sharing your dog’s stroke story. I’m glad the vets at UC Davis figured out the reason for his high blood pressure. I hope he continues to do well for a long time yet.❤