What is the first aid for a dog having a stroke?

In our lives, dogs are no longer simple pets. They are loyal companions and an indispensable member of the family. They add countless warmth and joy to our lives with endless love and companionship. However, when you see a dog suddenly lose control of its body, collapse to the ground, and its eyes are full of pain and fear, I believe every owner will be distressed. Stroke, a disease that may endanger the life of a dog, may disrupt the originally peaceful and beautiful life of us and dogs at any time. In an emergency, mastering the correct first aid method may seize the golden opportunity to save the dog's life and continue the deep friendship between us and them. ​

Stroke, medically known as cerebrovascular accident, refers to the rupture or blockage of cerebral blood vessels, resulting in cerebral blood circulation disorders and affecting the normal function of the brain. There are many reasons for stroke in dogs. Hypertension is a common cause. If a dog suffers from hypertension for a long time, the blood vessel wall will be damaged due to excessive pressure, increasing the risk of rupture. Heart disease should not be ignored either. Heart problems may lead to thrombosis. Once the thrombosis enters the brain with the blood circulation, it may block the cerebral blood vessels and cause a stroke. In addition, brain tumors, brain infections and certain congenital vascular abnormalities may put dogs at risk of stroke. ​

When a dog has a stroke, a series of obvious symptoms will appear. Abnormal movement is a common manifestation. The dog may suddenly lose balance, walk unsteadily, or even be unable to stand and fall to one side. Facial expressions will also change, the corners of the mouth will be crooked, drooling, and the eyes will not close or turn normally. Some dogs will also have impaired consciousness, slow response to the owner's call, dull eyes, and even coma in severe cases. At the same time, the dog may twitch uncontrollably and breathe rapidly and irregularly. ​

Once the dog is found to have the above-mentioned stroke symptoms, the owner must remain calm, because panic will not only fail to solve the problem, but may also delay precious treatment time. Quickly move the dog to a quiet, warm and flat place, avoid noisy stimulation in the surrounding environment, and let the dog stabilize his emotions in a relatively comfortable environment. When moving the dog, be gentle and try to keep the dog's body in a natural position to prevent the dog's brain injury from being aggravated by improper movement. ​

Next, closely observe the dog's breathing and heartbeat. You can gently place your hand on the dog's chest to feel the heartbeat, and observe the dog's abdomen rising and falling to understand the breathing condition. If the dog's breathing is weak or the heart stops beating, CPR should be performed immediately. CPR includes chest compressions and artificial respiration. Lay the dog on its back, find the center of the chest, and press rhythmically with the base of the palm of your hand, with a frequency of about 100-120 times per minute. Perform 2 artificial respirations for every 30 compressions. When performing artificial respiration, pinch the dog's nose, blow mouth-to-mouth, and observe whether the dog's chest rises and falls. ​

In addition to CPR, ensure that the dog's airway is unobstructed. When a dog has a stroke, oral secretions may increase due to swallowing dysfunction, blocking the airway. Use clean gauze or towels to gently clean foreign objects and secretions in the dog's mouth and nasal cavity to ensure smooth breathing. If the dog's tongue sticks out, do not force it back in to avoid injury. ​

While performing first aid on the spot, immediately contact a veterinarian or pet hospital, inform the dog of the symptoms and general situation, and seek professional guidance. If conditions permit, send the dog to the hospital as soon as possible for further examination and treatment. During the process of sending the dog to the hospital, continue to observe the dog's vital signs and provide feedback to the veterinarian at any time. ​

The recovery process of a dog after a stroke may be long and difficult, and the owner needs to give patient companionship and careful care. During the recovery period, according to the veterinarian's advice, help the dog to carry out appropriate rehabilitation training, such as guiding the dog to walk slowly and exercise limb coordination. At the same time, provide nutritionally balanced food to enhance the dog's physical resistance and promote physical recovery. ​

Watching the dog suffer from stroke, the owner's inner torment is hard to describe. But in this battle with the disease, every correct first aid action and every careful care may become the hope for the dog to regain health.