How to Prevent a Stroke In a Dog
- 1). Help your dog live a healthy lifestyle. Feed him a proper diet. Monitor his weight so he doesn't develop high blood pressure, which makes him a candidate for a stroke. Make sure he exercises the appropriate amount for his age each day. Take him for a yearly checkup so a vet can tell you if he's showing signs of being at risk for stroke as he ages.
- 2). Keep your dog properly hydrated at all times, even when it's cold out. She should always have access to a full bowl of water (see Resources). Even mild dehydration can lead to a stroke. Be on the lookout for: elderly dogs, pregnant or lactating females, animals that are sick or recuperating from illness or surgery, dogs who have diseases that affect their airwaves, or and puppies are more prone to losing fluids or not drinking an adequate amount of water even when they need it. Also, pets with chronic illnesses like diabetes, brain tumors or Cushing's disease can suffer a stroke.
- 3). Provide adequate shelter for your dog. He should remain in air conditioning during high-risk hours of the summer or have a shaded place where he can rest outside. Pens or yards with concrete flooring aren't safe in hot weather since the heated surface compounds the temperature problem. Be careful during beach excursions, where the sun can make the sand blindingly hot (see Resources).
- 4). Prevent your dog from overexerting himself. A labrador that loves to play catch or fetch will push itself to keep playing with its owner even if it's tired. A poodle that's traveling can become stressed and begin panting, thus losing bodily fluids. A sheep dog that's herding a flock can become dehydrated from work, even in cool temperatures. Responsible pet ownership means tending to your dog and letting him rest or helping him reduce stress.
- 5). Shave your dog carefully. Fur on thick-haired breeds like Akitas is designed to allow air to cool them, and shaving them down to their skin doesn't mean they won't overheat (see Resources). Groom him daily so his fur stays clean and lets air circulate through it.
- 6). Encourage play that will keep your dog cool instead of getting her lathered. Take her for a swim instead of a run during June, July and August. Buy a plastic pool for her to splash in, and have her play in a sprinkler with your kids. Take her for her daily walk in the morning or after sunset.
- 7). Have an animal professional show you how to correctly muzzle your dog. If your pet can't breathe properly or becomes agitated, rapid loss of fluids through panting will follow. Ask if she's going to be muzzled while being put under a dryer at a grooming parlor and request that the groomer show you their muzzling technique.
- 8). Learn the signs of stroke and what first aid to administer. Tilting of the head, turning in circles, loss of balance, falling, unable to control bodily functions, behavioral changes, and impaired vision are among the signs of stroke. If heat stroke is the culprit, move the dog to a cool place. Try to bring down his temperature gradually by dousing him with water or easing him into a bath and place him near a fan. Call a vet to see if you need to bring him in for examination (see Resources).
- 9). Ensure that your dog travels under safe conditions. If he has to fly in a crate in a plane, verify where the crate will be placed in an area away from a heat source that can dehydrate him and that the risk of being jostled is minimal. Never leave him in a car, especially on a hot day. Keep him in the cab of a truck with you and not in the truck bed.
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