| Introduction | | | | for the possibility of a stroke. |
| It was once believed that dogs did not experience | | | | Unfortunately, strokes in dogs cannot be diagnosed |
| stroke like conditions. However as advanced | | | | using x-rays or blood tests. The only current way to |
| diagnostic tools have been applied to veterinarian | | | | check for a stroke in dogs is through brain images |
| medicine, it was discovered that dogs did indeed | | | | and scans. These diagnostic tools may be a |
| experience strokes. The signs and symptoms of | | | | computed tomography scan (CT scan) or a magnetic |
| stroke in dogs are very different than the signs and | | | | resonance imagine (MRI) test. Most veterinarian clinics |
| symptoms of stroke in people, and in many cases | | | | do not have the tools to conduct MRI or CT scan |
| stroke in dogs can be easily confused with other | | | | tests. If your veterinarian suspects that your dog has |
| types of brain disorders like canine vestibular disease. | | | | had a stroke, you will most likely be given a referral |
| Due to the similarity of signs and symptoms of | | | | to a veterinarian hospital that can use MRI or CT |
| stroke in dogs and other types of brain disorders, | | | | scan diagnostics. |
| advanced diagnostic tools are still needed today to | | | | CT scan and MRI tests will not only be able to |
| positively diagnose this condition. | | | | diagnose a stroke, but these tests will be able to tell |
| Diagnosing a Canine Stroke | | | | you what type of stroke your dog has had. An |
| As soon as a dog experiences stroke like symptoms, | | | | ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to the |
| the dog should be immediately rushed to a | | | | brain has been reduced, and a hemorrhagic stroke |
| veterinarian facility. The veterinarian will perform a | | | | occurs when a vessel inside the brain bursts. The |
| series of tests to rule out other possible causes of | | | | treatment protocol for a stroke in dogs will depend |
| the symptoms. If no other type of disorder is quickly | | | | on the type of stoke that has occurred. |
| diagnosed, than further tests will be needed to check | | | | |