My dog had a stroke last week.  She is 8 years old and was otherwise fit before the stroke.  The vet is unclear as to how she may improve.  She is physicall getting stronger, but her main problem seems to be that she has lost awareness in her right side.  She runs into things and frequently goes around in cirlces to her left, as she does not attend to her right side. 

I am an Occupational therapist so know how this works in humans, However, I am at a loss as to what is the best way forward with my dog.  Does any one know anything about strokes in dogs and how to rehabilitate them?  Many thanks

I haven't got an answer to your query,just to say good luck with your baby,sandra.

When one of my Labs lost the use of her back end my vet told me to "Bicycle" her back legs to try to get some movement there. Unfortunatly this did no good in her case and eventually we had to admit defeat. Of course she was quite a bit older, 13 years old. As it was only last week she has still not lost the chance. Does she have any movement?

Best wishes, John

You might find these two links of interest :-
http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=59282;hlm=and;hl=stroke#59282

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=48804;hlm=and;hl=stroke#48804.

Nellie is now almost 15 and although not in the best of health, required medication for a failing heart, she shows no effects from her stroke.

How do you do links now!!!!

My cat was paralysed with a brain infection, once the infection was under control I gave her physio by massaging her limbs and body and also moving her limbs as if she was walking, they were extremely stiff and unresponsive at first but gradually became more flexible and eventually it was possible to feel her trying to move them.  Six weeks of intensive physio (5/6 times a day) and you couldn't tell she was ever paralysed.

Hope this helps and good luck with your furkid
Regards
Dill

To do links put .... [link]   before the link and [/link] after it. :)  Unless it's not an option anymore. :(

Testing...  http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?tid=38436#fnp

Kath.
EDIT.  Yep it still works. :D :D

I had a Jack Russell that had a stroke.  She also went round in circles for a while.  She was given steroids and a drug called "Vivitonin" which increases blood circulation to the brain.  She made a full recovery.  Its early days yet, don't give up.
Dawn.

Thanks everyone for sharing your expertise.  Very useful!
My little puppy (even though she is getting on) seems to be improving by the day.  She still wants to go around in circles, but they are getting bigger circles.  She does however manage to go in a straight line if she is following the Kitten!  She seems to be regaining her vision as she now glides into things gracefully rather than bumps into them.  I will keep you updated on how she is getting on.
Once again thank you very much, Regards Tina (Bag).

Just wanted to say glad your girl's getting better. I've had 2 dogs who had strokes, both at around 13 years. One recovered completely except for a very slight head tilt. She lived to 16 yrs. Sadly the other lived only a couple days before having another severe stroke, so had to be pts.
Lots of hugs & TLC for your girl - sounds as if she's going to make it.

So sorry to hear about your girl :( My old girl (almost 14yr) recently had a stroke. The vet prescribed steroids and another. Three weeks later she's much brighter, not falling over, and bright as a button :) We know not to expect too much at her age, but hopefully your young 'un will enjoy a good quality of life :)

liberty

I have been looking on the net at the advice of a co-worker, and came across this forum.  My dog has a brain injury which the vet says is either a tumor, encephalitis, or a dog stroke, which is considered most likely.  He was just getting over a mauling by a strong, larger Rot male, with several bites to the head.  It is day three in the vet hospital and the seizures are nearly gone.  It is still not certain but most likely stroke based on the sudden onset.  I am holding out hope, I see several people here have had a pet with nearly full recovery from a stroke.  Wish my baby Robopuppy, a 14 3/4 y.o. Lab/Golden Chow mix, luck in his recovery.

As you can see from my last post, Dec 03, Bree my old goldie was doing well, now we're in April, she's like a spring lamb. I'm sure the Vet prescribed medication did help a great deal!!
Best wishes to Robopuppy :)

liberty :)

Glad to hear that Bree is doing well, Liberty, Purdey is also not doing too badly - she bounces out in the morning, but by the end of the evening, she is doing a "bambi" more and more.    If only she would move into the dining room, where we still have carpet she would be fine - but no, I think she wants to keep control of the TV!!!

It's funny though - she now growls a warning at puppy Freya when she comes rushing in towards Purdey's bed - although she's happy to play with her in the garden :D :D :D

I'm just looking forward to the good weather, when she can be outside for most of the day......

Margot

Glad to hear that Purdey is not doing too badly Margot.

Bree has her good and not so good days, but it's a vast improvement on her condition after the stroke. I know what you mean about the carpet tho :rolleyes: Bree prefers the laminate flooring, where she has poor traction, to the HUGE rug!!
Maybe that's the perogative of the old dog :)

liberty :)