My old girl 14+ small Xbreed had a stroke yesterday while out walking, went straight to vet who said rest and quiet, but can anyone give me any info, I wondered if its something that will get better or is it likely she will have more and this is begining of end!! She is a little brighter today and I know it could take weeks for her to feel better but am so worried that she will have one while i am out and I won't be around to help. Would this kill her outright or would she be in a coma? She is only left for one hour aday maybe a little longer weekends and I have family to dog sit but can't be with her every second, and night time worries me sick.
thanks
kim

Hi Kim

So sorry to hear about your little dog :(
Your question is impossible to answer. It all depends on the dog itself and the severity of the condition. Some dogs recover well - some don't. I don't think an hour a day is an unreasonable time to leave her. She's at home where it's safe and familiar which will be comfortable for her.
I do hope she makes a full recovery :) They are such a worry when they get ill :(

My 13 1/2 had one of these episodes a couple of months ago, she started to improve within about 24 hours and seemed pretty normal after about a week. It appeared to have happened overnight but it didn't seem to bother her at all even though that first 24 hours she was very unsteady on her feet so I would not worry about leaving your girl for an hour or two I expect she just settles down to sleep. At the age of yours and mine I think we have to accept that the end is somewhere not that far off anyway and be as philisophical about it as we can. If my Nellie was carried off by a stroke in her bed at night or even left in a coma from which my vet could help her on her way well I have to say I can think of worse things. Now I sound morbid and of course now her stroke is behind her life carries on and we carry on enjoying our life together as you and your girl should :)

Kim,

People can recover from strokes. So I think dogs might be able to as well.

Michael
3 July 2002

My BSD bitch had a stroke at 14 and a half; we nursed her at home and she was 100 per cent recovered.I am a firm believer in keeping the dog at home rather than off to the vets, although of course we did get the vet in to advise us :)

It is horrible and I really hardly left my girl at all after that, I was worried all the time, but the vet had suggested Vivitonin and suggested she probably woulldn't have a stroke again when on it.

I gradually felt better about leaving her for short periods of time, but basically she came first until she did have another massive stroke aged 15 and three quarters. She was then pts at home.

In between the 2 strokes she had a a great life, did normal walks etc.

I am sorry to hear of your worries and hope you find a way to cope with the stress and upset a much loved dog having a stroke can cause.

Best wishes

Lindsay

Hi Kim,

I am no expert in Dog strokes but know a little bit about stokes in general.

When you have a stroke (or a dog) it is not painful in anyway. It has a disoriantated affect on you.

There is not medical treatment for strokes after they have happened just physio treatment so really unless it was a massive stroke which affects organs working there is no need for the dog to be at the vets.

Unless the reason is found ( Which is hard with animals) there is a chance it can happen again but also a chance it won't.

I know it must be awful worrying but do try not to. Some may agree or not but it is generally said that it death occurs after a stroke it won't have been painful.

It hopefully won't come to that but try and enjoy her and when you start to worry think
something happy about her. She is getting old.

Sometimes when you hear that someone has died in their sleep it could have been a stroke also. I have heard this often.

Good luck and give her a hug.

pam

Hi everyone,

Thankyou all for your support it means a great deal. Lilly is looking much better this morning and we have had a short wonder up the park, you are all right and I just have to give her love and see how we go.

many thanks
kim

A friend of mine has an elderly male chihaua {can't spell!!!!!} and he had a very bad stroke it is now about 12months on and he is back to his usual self and goes to the woods everyday :) :)

Kim,

Could the 'stroke' have been old dog vestibular syndrome? Apparently 'strokes' as in the human variety don't happen to dogs because they have different blood vessels in the brain. My 14 yr old deerhound has had twovestibular attacks, and both times she recovered completely within 24 hours. The vet tells me that they can recur, but the dog usually does very well, witht he only common sequelae being a tendency to hold the head to the side or to shake it. My lady scared the life out of me (and herself:-))the first time - she wasn't evem able to get up. Again according to my vet, a depot steroid injection may help provided that it is given quickly, and I now keep some in the house. If this is the problem, the treatment is to keep the dog reassured and quiet in a well lighted room until it recovers.

Best of luck, Sharon

Hi all,

Lilly is a lot better, just periods of staring into space not seeming to recognise anything then all of a sudden the world comes back for her, she has been back to the vet who is very pleased with progress. Its just fingers crossed now, thanks again for all your support.

Kim