May is National Stroke Awareness Month and veterinary neurologist Dr. Anne Chauvet wants pet owners to know that their dog or cat also may be at risk for strokes.
A stroke in a dog or cat must be treated quickly, as with humans, and should be handled as an emergency if owners see any clinical signs of strokes, such as weakness in limbs, loss of balance, seizures or disorientation, said Chauvet, who is the founder of Veterinary Neuro Services. These symptoms usually come on suddenly and may happen intermittently;
A free pet first aid guide is available from Veterinary Neuro Services that outlines proper procedures for handling pets that are having seizures or other signs that may result from a stroke and also lists items that should be included in a pet first aid kit for the home.
Strokes are caused when the blood supply is stopped in the brain by a blood clot or other blockage in a blood vessel or due to a hemorrhage, Chauvet said. This leads to loss of function in the parts of the body controlled by those areas of the brain that are affected. When the episode lasts for 24 hours or more, it is termed a stroke. Episodes that last less than that in humans are referred to as TIAs (transient ischemic accidents.)
"We used to say that strokes in dogs or cats did not occur, but this is not the case," she said. "Thanks to advanced imaging, such as CAT scans or, even better, MRI scanning, we can identify strokes of all kinds as we do for humans."
High blood pressure in pets can be a contributing cause of cat health problems and dog health problems like strokes. It is easy to measure nowadays and, although not well documented in veterinary literature, Chauvet believes it contributes to cerebral accidents. "I believe blood pressure should be part of a regular veterinary exam, particularly in pets that have 'little' seizures, disorientation, anxiety attacks, abnormal behaviors and fainting-like episodes," she said. Strokes in dogs and strokes in cats can be treated with medications such as amlodipine, which reduces blood pressure, or simple aspirin to decrease the chances of blood clot formation, but should never be given to a pet without veterinary supervision, she added.
Strokes also can happen elsewhere in the body. A fibrocartilagenous embolism is a cartilage plug that can occur in the spinal cord of dogs, cats, horses, pigs and humans. The cartilage plug blocks blood flow to the spine resulting in mild leg weakness to complete paralysis. Cats may also suffer strokes of the aorta, known as saddle thrombus, because a blood clot forms where the aorta splits into the two femoral arteries to the legs.
"When owners are well informed, their pets have the best chance for recovery from a stroke or other serious condition" Chauvet said. "If a pet exhibits signs of a stroke, and the initial blood work and cardiac auscultation (heart sounds) are normal, owners can ask about blood pressure measurements, fat levels, thyroid levels, adrenal function and MRI scans for the brain in order to determine if strokes may be the culprit. Your vet can guide you regarding the best approach." More information about veterinary neurology and the free pet first aid guide are available online at www.PetNeuro.com.
