What is the treatment for a dog who has had a stroke?

Dog stroke is not an accidental misfortune. In the field of pet medicine, it has become one of the major threats to the health of elderly dogs. Scientific and warm treatment is the beacon for taking furry children through this storm of life. ​

Cerebral vascular accidents in dogs are divided into two types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. The former is mostly caused by the shedding of atherosclerotic plaques and thrombosis of blood vessels, resulting in ischemic necrosis of local brain tissue; the latter is often caused by hypertension and cerebrovascular malformations that cause blood vessels to rupture and blood to infiltrate the brain substance. When the dog is observed to suddenly walk in circles, have unilateral limb weakness, pupils of different sizes, or even fall into a coma, the owner must immediately initiate the emergency procedure. Keep the environment quiet, avoid excessive movement, carefully lift the dog with a soft towel or blanket, and let it lie on its side to prevent tongue posterior fall and aspiration of vomitus. At the same time, record the time of onset, which is crucial for subsequent treatment. In the pet emergency system, there is a "golden three hours" for stroke treatment, and every minute and every second is related to the survival of nerve cells.​

After arriving at the pet hospital, the multimodal diagnostic system will be fully launched. Neurological assessment uses more than 20 indicators such as Horner's sign and proprioception test to accurately locate the damaged brain area; advanced CT angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technology can clearly present the situation of cerebrovascular lesions and help veterinarians determine the location of thrombus or bleeding points. Blood tests focus on indicators such as coagulation function, blood lipids, and blood sugar to check for potential causes, such as anticoagulant factor deficiency and vascular lesions caused by diabetes. While waiting for the test results, the owner paced back and forth in the waiting area, staring at the crack of the door of the treatment room, fearing that he would miss any news. The complex emotions of anxiety and expectation can only be experienced by those who have experienced it. ​

For ischemic stroke, ultra-early thrombolytic therapy is the core method. Thrombolytic drugs such as alteplase (t-PA) need to be injected intravenously within 4.5 hours of onset, combined with interventional thrombectomy, to directly remove the thrombus blocking the blood vessels. At the same time, using hypothermia therapy to reduce the dog's body temperature to 32-34℃ can significantly reduce the metabolic rate of brain cells and reduce nerve damage. The treatment of hemorrhagic stroke is full of challenges. The neurosurgery team will evaluate the surgical indications according to the size and location of the hematoma, and use stereotactic technology to accurately remove the hematoma. In the intensive care unit, the dog will receive continuous EEG monitoring to evaluate brain function in real time, and maintain electrolyte balance through a central venous catheter to prevent epileptic seizures. Through the glass of the ICU, the owner can only look at the dog with tubes inserted all over his body from a distance. Tears blur his vision, but he is always unwilling to look away. ​

When the dog survives the acute phase, the real battle for rehabilitation has just begun. Modern pet rehabilitation medicine integrates cutting-edge technologies such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation and underwater treadmill training. Electrical stimulation therapy stimulates paralyzed limbs through electric currents of specific frequencies to promote muscle contraction; underwater treadmills use buoyancy to reduce joint burden and help restore walking ability. Cognitive function training is also indispensable, and damaged brain neural networks are activated through interactions such as sniffing games and obstacle crossing. Many owners will build a simple rehabilitation area at home, use towels to assist the dog in sitting and standing training, and use snacks to guide the dog to complete movements such as turning its head and stretching its paws. After day after day of persistence, the dog finally waits for the moment when it wags its tail again, and tears of joy burst out. ​

Dietary management follows the concept of "precision nutrition". For dogs with swallowing disorders after stroke, a high-energy density formula dedicated to nasogastric feeding is used to ensure that each milliliter of nutrient solution contains 1.5-2 kcal of calories, and neuroprotective ingredients such as ω-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are added. Skin care introduces a pressure sore risk assessment scale, selects a decompression mattress according to the dog's body shape and activity ability, and changes body position every 2 hours. For dogs with cognitive impairment, a sense of security is rebuilt through a regular lifestyle and environmental markers (such as towels with the owner's scent). Behind these meticulous care are the owner's countless sleepless nights and the love that never gives up on the furry child.​

From the helplessness at the onset of the disease to the firm protection during the recovery period, the road to treating dog stroke is full of thorns, but it also blooms with the resilience of life and the light of love. When the once paralyzed dog happily jumped into his arms again, the anxious time spent in the pet hospital and the sweat shed in the rehabilitation training turned into the most precious medals, witnessing the deep bond between humans and dogs that transcends species.