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.
My beautiful rescue boy aged approx 13 had a stroke 3 months ago. I woke up to find him not lying beside my side of the bed and found him slumped over some clothing in a funny position unable to wake him
up. Eventually I woke him
up and his right eye was mainly shut and looked really bloody and the other darting from side to side . Hes blind in the right eye now and I suspect he’s got limited vision in the left eye now. I think he has mini strokes he gets confused through the blindness and his legs are not as stable as they once were . His right eye weeps constantly. He’s just struggled to get upright off laminate flooring and looks a little dazed . Despite all this once he’s outside he’s like a different dog ! Tails up and happy as Larry! We do have to be careful as he bumps into things though . He’s also not very good with stairs now hesitates and has lost footing. Breaking my heart seeing him like this . I carry him if I have too I know if he could he would carry me ❤️ please give your dogs sardines , mackrel or salmon a few times a week just a little for the omega 3 for the brain wish I’d known about this before . I love my boy I call him my gift x
Hi Denise,
So sorry to hear that your beautiful boy had a stroke a few months ago and is still dealing with some of the effects. Based on what you are saying, I suspect that he could really benefit from ToeGrips to help him get traction on the laminate and the stairs. If he is scuffing or dragging his feet, you may need to glue the ToeGrips on to keep them from getting pulled off, but they really do work wonders for many dogs! I’ll attach some links below so you can learn more.
Although he is struggling, which would be heartbreaking to watch, it is great that he can still enjoy himself outside (perhaps in part due to he better traction outside). I hope that he holds steady for awhile yet and you can continue to treasure your time together.
Here are the links:
1) Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips® dog nail grips
2) ToeGrips instructions
Hello,
My 15-year-old dog was unsteady on his legs, losing his balance but not falling, and tilting his head this morning. I’m worried he had a stroke. My mom doesn’t want to take him to a vet, just watch him and have him euthanized if he is not better in the next few days. She says we can’t afford the tests and there is nothing the vet can do for strokes anyway. She also said they might seize him from us because he has bad teeth, which I think is unlikely. A few months ago, our 12 year old dog had 4 10-second seizures over 6 weeks. We assumed if we took him to the vet they would say there is nothing to do and you must put him down so we avoided making an appt; only to panic after the 4th one and have a vet put him down at home hours later (we thought any second he might have another seizure and die suffering). We are all still devastated and guilt-ridden as it seems if we had taken him in, most vets would not have recommended euthanasia after 4 short seizures, we could have tried meds and had more time with him – possibly years? I realize that our 15 year old dog is in a different scenario, and there does seem to be less you can do about strokes, but I do not want to be in this position again, of putting our beloved dog down without at least trying the vet first. Sorry for rambling, but is anything the vet can do and would you recommend taking him? Thank you.
Hi Felix,
I am so sorry for all the traumatic events your family has experienced. While I can’t make specific conclusions without examining your dog myself, I can say that I think a trip to the vet would be a good idea. True strokes in dogs are very rare. I am suspicious that what you are describing may be vestibular disease instead. If that is the case, it should not be life threatening and usually completely resolves (or mostly resolves) with time. Your vet can let you know if they also suspect vestibular disease and may prescribe some simple medications to help decrease the symptoms while you wait for time to work its magic. I will attach links to other articles with more information on this topic. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decisions for everyone involved. Don’t give up hope and keep up the good work!
1. Vestibular Disease in Dogs: Doggy Vertigo
2. 10 Tips and Exercises for Dogs with Vestibular Disease
3. How to Feed A Dog With Vestibular Disease: A Comprehensive Guide
Hi Dr. Buzby! My 15yo dog had a mini stroke two days ago. He was very agitated and had pretty much all the symptons you’ve described, plus vomiting a lot. Also he lost the right inner ear because of an infection from a couple of years ago, which I believe was one of the causes.
We have been living abroad for six months and didn’t exactly knew how to deal with the situation since the veterinarian system here is different (and much more expensive) than in our home country, so we’ve decided to wait until morning to take any decision. The next day he was just lethargic, with horizontal nystagmus and with no bladder control. We took him to the vet and she said that his health is perfect and he will recover, but he had to stay the night since he was dehydrated.
Now he’s at home, the nystagmus is gone, and he was able to stand to pee (instead of peeing himself). He also doesn’t seem to be in pain, just confused. Sometimes he follows us around and look happy and present; sometimes he just stares at nothing and starts to walk in circles. I know these are all from the stroke and probably dementia, but it’s just heartbreaking. 🙁
Dear Mariana,
I am so sorry you had to go through this stressful situation with your senior guy. What a blessing the vet did not find any other abnormalities and your pup is now recovering at home. It is hard to watch a beloved pup deal with the effects of dementia. Here is a link to another article with more information on that condition: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
My heart goes out to you as you navigate the unknown path ahead. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I pray your sweet boy has continued to make progress and will make a full recovery. Wishing you both nothing but the best. Bless you. ♥
Hi my English Springer Spaniel was 13 when he had his first stroke. Symptoms were head tilt, loss of control in back legs, falling over, rapid eye movement.
Not sure what type of stroke it was but took him to the vets straight away. He was given medication and rest and recovered in about 3-4 weeks. Sadly he had another one later that year about 7 months after and recovered well. . Then a final one 6 months after that where sadly he didn’t recover and we said goodbye to our beloved Sammy.
The final one – he just stared and didn’t move (whilst standing). We had to physically lie him down in his bed – he couldn’t move himself. It was very distressing to watch. He lasted 2 nights until we called the vet and they said he was ready to say goodbye. : (
Hi Kerry,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Spaniel. I know he is dearly missed. What a blessing he did not have to suffer long, and you were able to offer him peace from his struggles. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I hope with time you will be comforted knowing your sweet boy lived a happy life with those who loved him most. May his memory live on and be a source of joy to you each and every day.
hi my staffie died xmas aftanoon he was rite as rain in morning his back legs went at 2,30 then hea did manage to jump up setee he put himself away in bathroom his breathing went shallower in past 15 minutes of dying at 4pm in my arms , i was going to take him vets but too late a month before he weed the bed lay in it and was not himself all that day he was great next day so xmas day i thought he was just having a bad day and be ok later well he just went down hill rapidly in them last 30 mins as you could imagine i was heartbroken and still struggling with missing my best m8 he was only 8 active loving funny and one in a billion im wondering whether he had a stroke or poisen from his morning walk and never dreamt he was gonna die that day it was so sad i wish i had the money 4 a ortopsy but i dont it huants me as to what happened on what was a great day till it turned into a very sad one , i wonder if you couls posibly throw any light on what happened usual walk place did not seem to eat anything off floor had his meat im gutted rip my bute chico
Hi Col,
My heart goes out to you. What a heartbreaking thing to have happen, and on Christmas no less. As you said, without a necropsy, it is hard to say for sure what happened, but conditions like a ruptured splenic mass or sudden heart problems could both potentially have cause what you described. Unfortunately, a variety of other conditions could have also been the culprit.
While I can’t say why he died, I can say that it sounds like he had an amazing life with you. You had no way of knowing that he was going to die suddenly that day, and chances are good that there was nothing you could have done to prevent it. He had a great last day and was with the person he loved most when he died.
I hope that in time you are able to find some peace and comfort. Thinking about you as you grieve the loss of your one-in-a-billion dog. ❤️
We are pretty sure our 12 year old lab had a mini stroke a few days ago late on a Friday night. It took us the weekend to definitely notice something was wrong. She saw the vet the following Monday. He affirmed it was a vascular event—either a mini stroke or geriatric vestibular syndrome. He gave her some Trazodone for anxiety. She is eating fine and not having accidents inside. She doesn’t have a head tilt or crazy eye movements. However, she walks all around, sometimes in circles, and won’t relax unless we make her. She hasn’t barked since it happened. She won’t sit when we tell her to or even on her own—we have to force her to sit or lay (what we call settle), like her legs aren’t working. She LOVED her stuffed animals (her “babies”) but now doesn’t even seem to know they exist. Her balance isn’t great and she slips on the floor a lot. She gets herself “stuck” in corners or in weird spots. She won’t go up or down stairs really on her own. The only highlight is that she did respond to her frisbee the other night and tried to catch it. It’s only been 5 days. I am worried about if she will ever recover. When should we be seeing some progression of her recovering? Is there anything we can do to help?
Hi Alison,
I am so sorry your senior Lab is struggling with the aftereffects of a stroke. While it is true some of these symptoms may be here to stay, it is also possible your girl could make a full recovery with more time. Some dogs just need more time than others. Since we don’t know for sure what kind of vascular event your pup had, I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information. These articles cover some of the more common diagnosed issues in senior dogs with symptoms like your own dog. You may also want to think about scheduling a consult with a neurology specialist. They may have more ideas about therapies that could help speed up the recovery process. I hope you can find the answers you need to restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. Wishing you all the best.
1. Vestibular Disease in Dogs: A True Story About Doggy Vertigo
2. 10 Tips and Exercises for Dogs with Vestibular Disease
3. Spinal Stroke in Dogs: What You Need to Know
4. GME in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Haemangiosarcoma.
.My gorgeous girl of 10 has this disease and had her spleen removed last Oct 22 because of a mass on it. She has just had a stroke but seems to be recovering quite quickly. Would the stroke be due to her cancer? Would you mind explaining how? Is she likely to have another? how best to prevent please. Thankyou
Hi Anna,
I am sorry your senior girl has been through so much in the last few months. I understand your concern with the stroke that recently occurred. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. I would not think the stroke would be a side effect of hemangiosarcoma but cannot be sure. Your best bet is to have her evaluated by your vet. They may even recommend taking her to a specialist. Once a diagnosis is made or the cause is found, then they can give you an idea about prognosis and if it will recur. I hope all is well today and your sweet girl is living her best life. Best wishes to you both.
My dog is 17 and has recently suffered a stroke. It’s been 2 weeks and he seems to be improving, we took him to the vet and they told us we could do mri but with his age and price we chose not to.. So he has just been sleeping a lot., his balance has improved and is not circling anymore. When we take him outside he goes to the bathroom and does his business with no problem. He eats and drinks with no problem. His vision was already pretty much gone before the stroke and so now I’m sure it’s completely gone. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain. I’m just wondering your thoughts. Is he ok to live this way? The last thing I want is for him to be in pain. He seems to be improving, I’m sure his quality of life will forever be changed but I am willing to take care of him and do whatever I need to for him for the rest of his days.
Hi Crystal,
I understand your concern for your senior guy and these challenges he is facing. I am glad to hear his symptoms are improving and he is pain free. This sounds like a win in my book, and I definitely don’t think his quality of life will be diminished due to the lack of vision. Since I haven’t examined him myself, I could be wrong about his current state. As long as he seems happy, non-painful, and can perform his daily functions, I think he is ok to keep living life and bringing you joy. If you want to be sure, you can always have your vet evaluate him. Here is a link to another article that goes into more detail about quality of life: Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
This article is geared more towards trying to decide when to choose euthanasia, but it has great guidelines for how to assess your pup and will probably show you are nowhere near this kind of decision. I am hopeful your sweet boy has many happy days ahead. Bless you both and best wishes!
Hello Dr, Julie Buzby,
I hope this comment reaches you in a timely manner. My little 13 year old poodle mix suffered a stroke today. His symptoms are only his legs have given out on him. He can’t walk right now. Our vet suggested to we say goodbye in the next couple days. Should we get a second opinion? He does have heart murmur that we have been treating with medications. He is still eating and drinking water, as yet to go potty though. Any advice would be helpful.
Hi Louise,
I am sorry for this tragic situation you are in with your little guy. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, it is hard to make conclusions about his quality of life and possible prognosis. It may require seeing a neurology specialist to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Without a specific diagnosis, it is impossible to know what his chances are of making a full recovery or if there are treatment options to pursue. A second opinion is never a bad choice, especially when faced with the possibility of having to say goodbye. I am worried that your mentioned he hasn’t used the bathroom even though he has been eating and drinking. Due to the neurological dysfunction, his bladder may need to be manually expressed to prevent rupture. Make sure your vet is aware of the lack of urination/defecation as these problems alone could turn into an emergency situation. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decisions for you and your sweet boy. Bless you both.
Thank you Dr. for this helpful information and your comments. My 14-year old dog had a check up last month and she was very healthy. Everyone always comments on how active she is at 14. About 10 days ago, she developed the tilt. Took her to the doctor and she is blind in one eye. She did get worse, loss of appetite, pacing, collapsed a few times. I think she may be completely blind now. She has some better days (not collapsing as much) and she’s not titled anymore. She’s eating treats but not her food. Put pedialyte in her water.
he had x-rays, blood pressure checked with her regular vet. I have an appointment for a neurologist, which my vet recommended, but I’m not sure I want to put her through all the tests. Can she be treated for a stroke? What would they be able to do for her? Can I treat it without going to a neurologist?
I’m hoping she bounces back. How long should I give it?
Thank you again.
Hi Wendy,
I am sorry your senior girl is having so many issues since this most recent stroke episode. I understand your concern and not wanting her to endure lots stressful testing. I still think it would be a good idea to keep the appointment with the neurologist. You can make your wishes clear, and the specialist can keep things simple if needed. The benefit of having the consult with the neurologist, is to gain more information about what treatments are available. They can let you know what to expect with progression of disease or how you should expect the healing process to play out. They may have ideas about supplements or medications that would greatly improve your pup’s quality of life. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, and without a definitive diagnosis it is hard to make specific recommendations. This is what the neurologist’s job is all about. I hope you find the answers you need to help your sweet girl live life to the fullest. Best wishes to you both.
My 15 year old miniature schnauzer had a stroke last year (14 years old at the time). I rushed him to the vet after I observed him falling all over the floor. Unable to walk a straight line and his eyes were going back and forth/side to side. The vet was pretty confident this was a stroke. Because of his age-We decided not to pursue tests to find out what caused the stroke as these were costly. He has a heart murmur (always known since he was a pup). He has been an extremely healthy dog until he had his stroke last year. He started walking straight again around 3 weeks after this episode. He still had the head tilt. He finally straightened his head tilt around 8 months after.
Fast forward to last weekend…another stroke. I noticed he was falling again. Going around in circles. Head tilt was more severe. Staring down at the floor and wasn’t able to stand up without sliding on the floor. Eyes were rapidly moving side to side again. Seems to be very confused and can’t find his way. His condition is the same as last years however this time it seems like he’s not bouncing back like he did before. I’m very concerned about his quality of life. He’s lost direction of where the back door is (always has been the potty door). He’s been in male wraps for several months now because he has incontinence. His appetite is still half way there but he’s having a hard time finding his bowl and balancing to stand at his bowl to eat. He does not drink much. He gets lost in the back yard so when I go to pick him up to bring him back in-he’s snappy. I’m scheduling an appointment to discuss options with the vet. I love him so much but how do I know if he’s suffering or if he will get better?
Hi Amy,
I am so sorry for this difficult situation you are in with your little Schnauzer boy. From what you are describing, it does sound like he is struggling. Were you able to get him an appointment with your vet? I hope they had suggestions of possible treatment options to pursue. Unfortunately, there really is no way to know for sure if your senior guy will respond to treatment. If his current quality of life cannot be improved, then saying goodbye may be the most loving option. My heart goes out to you during this stressful and emotional time. Praying for restoration for your sweet boy and strength and comfort for you.
Hi Pam:
This morning my little bichon had an episode. His head was tilted to one side turned to one side and he was circling in that same direction he was also stumbling. Took him outside to do his business and he did go although he looked very weak as he was trying to stand, then when I called him he went in a totally different direction and I had to go get him. And when I brought him in I thought I’d better look at his eyes because I know there is the twitching that goes and walk with the stroke. And sure enough his eyes were twitching back-and-forth. Then a tiny bit later he threw up. Then he laid down . Just a little bit later across the living room into a bed that is his favorite. And it look like he was actually more stable than what he was before. This all happened in a matter of maybe 20 minutes or so could this have been a stroke? A little bit later I checked his eyes and they were back to normal. He ate his breakfast with enthusiasm and has acted totally fine since then I did read where a stroke in last 1 minute to 15 minutes. Could this have been the case with him. He is 16 years old
Hi JoAnn,
I understand your concern for your little Bichon and these worrisome symptoms that started the other day. Since I have not personally examined your dog, I can’t make specific conclusions. What you describe could be a stroke, but could also be seizure activity, or signs of other neurological issues. I am glad your pup seemed to return to normal after just a few minutes. I still think it would be in his best interest to have him evaluated by your vet. This way you can find out if you need to be on the lookout for future episodes or if this was a one-time event. I hope this message finds you both well. Best wishes for many happy days ahead.
My 13 1/2 year old border collie was walking on his toes this morning and his back legs were acting odd. He was very agitated, so I gave him his anti anxiety meds, Trazadone and Gabapentin. Now he cannot walk and is holding his heard to the side. I have a vet appointment for tomorrow, but should I try and get him to an emergency vet. .
Hi Andrea,
You are right to be concerned about these new worrisome symptoms. I am concerned as well and not sure if this is an emergency situation or not. Without examining your dog myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. If in doubt, I always think it is best to err on the side of caution and go ahead and seek emergency services. How is your senior boy doing today? Were you able to get him to your vet for an exam? Praying all is well. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My dog passed away suddenly the other night. Two weeks before she had a swollen stomach we went to the er. She didn’t have a flipped stomach. There was some fluid in her stomach but since she was eating and drinking we should just watch her. She had a snap test and pancreas looked ok. Her X-ray showed her heart and stomach were ok. We went to the vet a few days later cbc, urinalysis came back ok. She was still eating and drinking. About a week later she was walking like maybe she was drunk and her eyes were dilated. She threw up and pooped inside then seemed to feel better and Layed down and slept about an hour. Then she woke up tried to stand up and fell over and it looked like one side of her face was a little paralyzed. She got up again and fell over and was barely breathing. She looked like maybe she couldn’t move. I started cpr we loaded her in the car
To go to the er. She passed away in the car about 20 minutes later. We are devastated. We have no ideas what happened. Was it a stroke or
Annerysum? This has left us feeling guilty and devastated. Any ideas? What did we miss?
Dear Ann,
I am so sorry for the sudden and tragic passing of your dog. You did everything you could and sought out emergency care right away. Unfortunately, since I didn’t examine your girl myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. I am a bit suspicious about a brain tumor. A blood clot or cancerous process could also cause similar symptoms. All of these causes have the potential to show up suddenly, without warning, and a dog can still have normal blood work and normal x-rays. I don’t think you’ll ever know the exact cause, but I am glad you were with her in her last moments. I hope with time your heart will heal and the memories of the good times will be a blessing.
My senior chihuahua Lego passed away from a quick stroke yesterday. Hie was fine the other day. His breathing was horrible and I found him hiding before he left us. My fiancé and I were able to comfort him before he stopped breathing. It all happened so quick.
Dear Heather,
I am sorry for your tragic loss of Lego. I am glad you were able to be with him in his last moments. May his memory be a blessing that stays with you forever.
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!
We had to put out 15 year old doxie girl to rest yesterday. We have been fighting incontinence issues for a while and figured old age, but it was weird be cause she would just randomly stop walking and squat. She would follow my dad around outside for several minutes, barely cross the threshold and she would urinate and then seem confused. In the last couple weeks it would be harder to get her attention and rarely she would act like her back leg didn’t work but it wasn’t painful. Yesterday she was anxious in the morning and had the leg issue but then seemed okay until suddenly in the afternoon she could not stand upright, she went somewhat tonic and rigid. She was holding her head back, eyes darting and tongue out. She stayed that way for around 45 minutes (how long drive to the vet was). She was gasping off and on and had severe arythmia. The vet agreed that it was her time. Does this seem indicative of a stroke and could a dog of that age have actually recovered from that? In the end she didn’t seem to be struggling much or whimpering and she was always a drama queen before….
Dear Chris,
I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to your senior girl in such a sudden and emotional way. Since I was not there to personally witness the events, it is hard to make specific conclusions. While a stroke can’t be ruled out, I am very suspicious that what you saw was seizure activity. It does sound like you made the right choice to let go and allow your little pup to have peace and rest. I am not sure there would have been a treatment for what she was experiencing and would have been worried she may have passed in a tragic way at home. I hope your heart is comforted by the knowledge that you loved her well. May her memory be a blessing. ♥
I am so sorry for your loss. I also had to put my 15 yr old female daschund down on canada day (July 1st) she had been on liver and gallbladder pills since 2015 and suffered from Cushings disease for the last 3 years. She was ok Thurs night and Fri morning she had all the signs of a stroke. What can be done when they are that age, sadly not much. It came down to what kind of quality of life would she have had. None. I had to make the hardest decision of my life and it was the kindest thing I could do for her. My heart goes out to you. It’s not easy but our girls are pain free and in peace.
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 think my 13 year old Springer had a stroke 48 hours ago. Symptoms are tilted head, walking like he is drunk, minimal appetite, sleeping a lot. He is still going out to poop and pee.
I cannot find a vet that can see him soon. I feel he is improving somewhat but just recently started a cough like motion. Any advice? I can’t afford a huge health screening and am having trouble finding a available vet.
Hi Sandy,
I know how worried you must be seeing your dog display such severe symptoms. Without examining him myself, I can’t say for sure if he had a stroke, but it sounds like that could be a possibility. Your pup really needs to be evaluated by a vet. I understand that right now that may not be an option. Other than veterinary care, just make sure you are doing good supportive care at home. Make sure he is eating and drinking an adequate amount and is resting comfortably. Fingers crossed he may be able to recover on his own. Best wishes to you both.
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 14 year old shih tzu had heart failure for the last 25 months , she was doing well on cardalis and regular check ups though her back legs were getting weaker and she was stumbling a bit in the garden , last night she tumbled out her bed , lay rolling on her back , eventually turned on to her front , she was then violently sick a few times , then staggered pacing round the room for a few mins then lay down and slept , when I got her up this morning she just stood in a stupor head lolling around , , I carried her downstairs , put her down , she couldn’t stand , put her in her bed and her head was still moving side to side . Took her to the vet who took one look and said a stroke , that he could Chuck drugs at her but suspected she wouldn’t even recover enough before she’d have another and it would be worse , we agreed the kindest thing would be put to sleep , she fell the min he put liquid into her , it didn’t take much , he said she had nothing left in her . She was already going blind and deaf and as I said back legs were getting so weak , why do I feel so guilty when deep down I know she’d had enough , could she have come back from the stroke ?
Hi Jodie,
I am sorry you had to say goodbye to your senior girl. It does sound like she was struggling, and you made the loving choice to give her peace and rest. There may have been a chance she could have recovered from the stroke, but then she still would have suffered from her heart disease and lack of mobility. I feel like I would have made the same choice for my own dog in a similar situation. I hope you will find comfort in knowing you gave her a long happy life and I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved. May her memory be a blessing.
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.❤