Can A Dog Have A Stroke?

[Roxie]

Sara (age 13) has stopped eatting and drinking, and lays limp in one spot. Cant pick her head up and no wagging. When I try to help her stand, she sways, staggers and wobbles in her ok her hind end. She is moaning and crying.

I took her to the vet. Liver panels and blood sugar are fine, low sodium, CBC of 22,500. Lots of ear wax.

She is on antibiotics.  No diagnosis. $200 vet bill. I can't afford any more $50+ per tests.

She acts like a person who has had a stroke... and is transitioning out of life.

Can a dog have a stroke? A mini stroke?  Any suggestions what else I should be investigating? Or doing?

I'm beside myself in grief, fear, anxiety, guilt, panic, tears, denial, worry. How will I "know when"?

I can't even say the words.

Broken hearted scared Roxie

[k1maplewd]

Oh Roxie I am so sorry.  Yes dogs can have strokes.  I have known a number of dogs who had strokes.  Some managed to do ok afterwards and some unfortunately did not make it.  Did they do a tick panel on her?  Some of the symptoms you are describing sound very similar to tick borne illnesses.  Lyme, rocky mountain spotted fever, erlichia, etc.  Those can be fairly easily treated in most cases with an antibiotic, which may be what the vet put her on one for?  Was doxycyline the name of the medication?

I know it is so hard to know when is the right time.  For me it is when I think the animal is suffering and not enjoying their normal things.  So for me- not eating, not drinking, not playing, not interacting with me or the other dogs, not seeming to enjoy their life, that is how I know it is time.  It is still not an easy decision.  But you have to do what you feel is right for you and Sara. 

I am so sorry you are having to go through with such a difficult thing right now.  We are all here supporting your Roxie in this difficult time.

[latopla]

I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with this!  Hugs!

I don't know a ton about dog illnesses but from what I have seen, it does sound like something from a tick or the sudden development of a tumor. 

To me, when a dog reaches the point that it cannot perform necessary functions (eating, breathing, pottying, walking, etc) even with assistance (doggy wheelchair for example), the dog is in unmanageable pain, or appears to have lost the will to live then I'm going to strongly consider that it is time.  Or it sustains an injury that really can't be recovered from without affecting the above three determinants. 

My recommendation is to give the medicine 24 hours and try to keep her hydrated.  If no improvement after that point or deterioration, I would consult the vet about options.

[kaika_dragon]

A dog can have a stroke, although I don't know enough to tell the symptoms.      I'm sorry this is happening to you!

[Carey]

Oh Roxie...I dont have any answers but I want you to know I am here for you. I am so sorry that this is happening.

[Sheenar]

Roxie, I don't have any advice or suggestions --this is beyond my experience or education --but I want you to know that I am here for you if you need a shoulder. *hugs*

[Spectrum]

They can have strokes, and the symptoms you listed are all symptoms of strokes. It could be a tick disease, but at her age I'd be more likely to think stroke. Plus, tick panels are very expensive to run. I work at a vet clinic and I couldn't even afford to run one on Max back when he was having seizures.

The other thing I think of is vestibular disease. If her eyes have a nystagmus (moving back and forth or up and down quickly and regularly) that would be the first thing I'd consider. It can usually be treated with steroids, although it may come back. 

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[Spectrum]

How will I "know when"?

At the clinic, we tell people to make a list of 10 things you'd like for your dog to be able to do. Then, next to the list, write "When my dog can no longer do at least ___ of these things, it's time" and put a number in the blank.

Here's just an example. You might (and probably will) have different things on your list or a different number for being the right time.
1. Eat on her own
2. Drink on her own
3. Have control of her bowels
4. Have control of her bladder
5. Play an easy game for at least 5 minutes at a time
6. Sleep through the night
7. Get up from laying down on her own
8. Go outside on her own
9. Play with her favorite toy
10. Go for a short walk
When my dog can no longer do at least 4 of these things, it is time to let her go.

[Ilghaus]

I am so sorry to hear about your poor Sara. Wish there was something more that I could do than send my love to you, but you know you have that.

[Roxie]

1. Eat on her own.................. she started trying to eat today. Total 4 tablespoons laying down
2. Drink on her own............... she will drink a few laps ifI bring her water where she's laying
3. Have control of her bowels
4. Have control of her bladder........... pees in the house unless I carry her out
5. Play an easy game for at least 5 minutes at a time....... no. can barely lift her head.
6. Sleep through the night............ sleeping about 23 hours a day... shivering
7. Get up from laying down on her own...... no. I have to help her stand and walk the few feet
8. Go outside on her own.........  not at all.
9. Play with her favorite toy........  she wagged several feeble wags at me today
10. Go for a short walk...... maybe about 6 feet, staggering in her hind end, head down and cocked sideways.

She has refused to eat the wet food from the vet.

Today I microwaved an egg and diced it with some diced chicken and a tad of salt. She tried feebly to eat this morning.... about a teaspoon. Then about a tablespoon at lunch and 2 tablespoons tonight.  She is eatting 1/4 hot dog with her antibiotic pill squished in it twice a day.

In my last rental house we had horrible mouse infestation...... completely over run. Mice would come within 4 inches of my hands when I was on the computer. One even jumped onto my finger to boost himself up to the rim of my coffee cup so it could drink my coffee. (Not only weird - but yucky!) My landlord promised me for 7 1/2 months to get rid of them but never did.

I had her since she was about 3 or 4 month old.  I love her so much.

Thanks for all the love and support.... and info.

Roxie

Could they have brought in a tick.. or bitten Sara?

[Ilghaus]

I don't know about mice but squirrels can carry ticks.

[Dazzler]

I don't think a stroke would cause your dog to moan and cry...at least not from pain.  I'm going to assume she's been spayed but if she hasn't there's a terribly painful infection called pyometra that unspayed females can develop.  It's a uterine infection that's extremely dibilitating and painful.  My mother's dog developed this later in her life and she couldn't even walk down two stairs...it came on suddenly also.  It's similar to appendicitis in humans....rapid onset, pain, loss of control.  It's a septic illness.  I'm surprised the vet doesn't seem to have any diagnosis.  I hope the antibiotics help her....it's so hard to watch one of our furbabies so helpless. 

[PatBen]

  Roxie I'm so sorry you are having to go through this, I don't have any information for you but I would like  you to know that I'm here if you need a virtual hug *hugs*

[responsiblek9]

  That sounds like a stroke. or a major systemic failure setting off similar symptoms.

Arrow had one like that last year right before I had to have him PTS. He was only 7.
He had been having mini strokes for a month or so .
Even with a heating pad, room thermostat up to 90 and blankets he could not stop shivering .He was not eating but a tiny bit of what I was hand feeding. He could just manage to stand .
Found out he was riddled with cancer .

Jewel had mini strokes the month before she went down but she was still  somewhat ambulatory but lost cognitive function ( would get lost in the corners of the yard and panic) and all bladder bowel control and slept all day . She would moan and even scream after the strokes . I dont even think she knew she was vocalizing. She had a  progressive neurological problem caused by an old injury and allergies.

With old Tartar she had some mild strokes over the last year of her life but nothing that affected her walking , her ability to run was impaired. But it was wiping out some of her memory of commands .
her kidneys were damaged and it was just catching up with her.
 

[responsiblek9]

  Does she have a fever? Yes mice can carry ticks and lymes, leptospirosis and all kinds of stuff.