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[tatsxxx11]

I remember two PT'ers recently, whose dogs had "strokes." I can't remember who they were; they were only here briefly. After combing the internet and many vet info. sites, it seems that most vet's agree that strokes in dogs are EXTREMELY rare, if indeed they do occur at all. Here are two exerpts from different sites. There were several more where the vet stated that in all likelihood the conditon was vestibular peripheral syndrome, not a true neurological incident. What are the symptoms that Peka's presenting??? Did your vet say with certainty that it was a stroke? Hoping and praying for the best for precious Peka. Love, Sandra

#1 Stroke in Yorkie

Q: Dear Dr. Richards,
My 10 yr old Yorkie seems to have suffered a stroke. My Vet started
her on prednisone. Several friends have asked why the Vet didn'd start her on
aspirin. Since my Vet is now on vacation, I can't ask him. Could you
please tell me if you think aspirin is appropriate therapy? Why or why not?
Thank you very much,

Debra

A: Debra-

Strokes are very rare in dogs. They do occur but they are much more
infrequent than humans.

The condition most commonly confused with a stroke in dogs is peripheral
vestibular syndrome. This condition causes a sudden loss of balance. The
dog's eyes often have a rhythmic side to side or up and down motion known
as nystagmus. The dog's head may tilt to one side. There are a number of
other conditions that can also cause symptoms that might be confused with
stroke, so it is important to keep communicating with your vet to ensure
that he or she is aware of the progress of the problem.

Due to the fact that strokes are a fairly infrequent condition in dogs
there is not much information about how to treat them available in the
veterinary literature. I don't know if aspirin is helpful after a stroke in
dogs.

Many veterinarians use prednisone early in the treatment of peripheral
vestibular syndrome. I just tell people to wait the condition out. In
almost all cases the dog will show improvement in 24 to 48 hours and the
symptoms will resolve in a few days to three weeks. A few dogs have some
residual signs with a minor head tilt probably being the most common
permanent effect.

There is a definite possibility that your vet is treating for another
condition, so please do not discontinue the medication until you have a
chance to talk to your vet.

Good luck with this.

Mike Richards, DVM


#2 One condition that may occur in an older dog is vestibular disease, a condition of the middle ear. This will cause the dog to reel like a drunken sailor with head cocked to one side and eyes shifting around because he cannot focus. He is extremely disoriented and dizzy as well as nauseated. The onset is usually quite sudden and dogs used to be destroyed when they developed these symptoms because both owner and veterinarian thought he had had a stroke. Actually strokes in dogs are extremely rare so do not accept this diagnosis but seek a second opinion if you are told your dog has had a stroke. The vestibular problem may resolve within two weeks and any treatment will be simple and inexpensive unless there is something more serious, such as a tumor or deep infection. (From the website of Julian Norton, DVM