Strokes in dogs

Stroke in dogs are rare. This neurological injury called as Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) occurs when there is a disrupted blood flow in an area of their brain causing them to head tilt and loss of balance. Canine strokes appear in different types and the fatal the type, the severe the case is. Unlike human stroke, distorted mouth or eye is rarely seen in dog stroke.

In some cases, a vestibular disease is a more common dog health problem than stroke. This condition has two types: the central vestibular disease or the brain abnormality while the peripheral vestibular disease refers to the nerve abnormality in the inner ear. When your dog is older and is diagnosed with peripheral vestibular disease, your dog experiences disorientation

Dog Stroke Symptoms

Here are some common signs and symptoms of dog stroke. It’s highly recommended when your dog experiences three or more events in the list, bring them to your nearest veterinarian for consultation.

1. Dizziness

2. Head Tilting

3. Circling Movements

4. Disorientation

5. Confusion

6. Eye Twitching

7. Falling down

Causes of Stroke in Dogs

When your dog’s blood vessel in the brain bursts, it dies and stops working the task it should do. This event may not cause any seizure but eye twitching is commonly noticed. There are cases your dog simply feels normal after the stroke and recover immediately. The recovery period may sometimes take weeks before getting back to normal.

Diagnosing Strokes in Dogs

Extensive clinical tests such as Computed Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are used to evaluate the damage in the brain. Spinal operation is also necessary to avoid any inflammation or infection that might surface unexpectedly. To assess your overall dog health, a simple blood test is enough to detect if your pet has thyroid problems or diabetes.

Treatment

Until now, the best treatment for strokes in dogs is proper nursing care. Always be observant to your dog’s daily behavioral patterns. If the condition is too critical, don’t wait for next day or next week, inform the veterinarian right away.

Colitis in Dogs

Does your dog find it hard to poop? Perhaps, he might have Colitis. Colitis is defined as a colon inflammation and in most cases; it is usually caused by bacteria, too much stress, allergies and parasites.

Symptoms of Colitis in Dogs

At first sight, you might not suspect your dog of having colitis. Most of them with this disease appear normal but once you notice irregular bowel patterns and the feces are accompanied by red blood, your dog might be positive of having colitis.

Depending on the situation, some dogs experience chronic colitis due to the absence of symptoms. Especially boxers, they are susceptible to this disease for unknown reasons and they need long-term treatment to stay alive. There are also cases when the dogs with severe colitis, they suppressed the urge to poop and the resulting condition is constipation.

Causes of Colitis in Dogs

• Eating the wrong type of food. 
• Eating food scattered everywhere, in the garbage can, in the park etc.
• Dietary Intolerance
• Stress
• Undigested food
• Bacterial growth in the gut area
• Drinking not fresh water
  

Treatment for Colitis in Dogs

Since most of the causes of Colitis in dogs are the improper handling of their food intake, a change in healthier diet plan is required. The treatment usually lasts for two to six weeks depending on the severity of the case.

Cases of colitis in dogs shows no hazardous signs and symptoms in early stages. Perhaps, the best thing you can do is observe. Always be aware of your dog’s health and well being. Observe when he regularly poops, when he loses his diet and when he feels stressed.

If you decided to bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian, it will be better if you collect some fresh stool samples before your scheduled visit. Colitis can only be detected if it undergone radiography, biopsy or colonoscopy.

The best thing to do is just follow what your vet’s recommended treatments are and if there are prescribed antibiotics, let the dog drink it religiously no matter how weird or bitter the taste.

The most common antibiotics to cure colitis is Metronidazole or rather be called as Flagyl. The role of Metronidazole once ingested by your dog is to control the production of bacteria causing the disease. The sulfa-containing Azulfadine are used to treat chronic colitis.

The eating patterns should also be change. Your dog must only eat types of food that are easily digested. In most cases, tender slices of chicken, rice, eggs and cottage cheese are suggested. But for those with chronic colitis, vets usually make a lifelong dietary system appropriate for your dog health condition.