• As with humans, dogs can have strokes. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel inside the brain ruptures, becomes blocked by a clot, a piece of tumor or even fat. The lack of blood can permanently damage the part of the brain that is affected. Emergency veterinary treatment of the stroke and its cause can help a dog recover well.
  
  

Causes of Stroke in Dogs

• As with their owners, dogs can suffer a stroke if they have conditions that make them vulnerable. For example, a dog with heart disease can have a stroke. Other diseases that can lead to stroke in dogs are kidney disease, thyroid disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
  
  Tumors can cause strokes. Brain tumors are not the only culprits; tumors on the pituitary or adrenal glands can cause Cushing's disease, in which the body makes too much of the hormone cortisol, which can lead to stroke. A blow to the head may cause a stroke in a dog, as can an infection with parasitic lung worms.
  
  

Signs of a Stroke

• Because the brain controls the body, odd movements are a clue that a stroke may have damaged your dog's brain. For example, if you call your dog, and he turns away instead of toward you, he may have had a stroke. Although a dog will tilt its head when interested in something, holding the head tilted to one side is not normal and may indicate a stroke. If a dog has difficulty walking or begins walking in circles, he may have had a stroke. If your dog cannot see, a stroke may have caused sudden blindness. If your dog collapses or has an irregular heartbeat, he may have had a severe stroke and needs veterinary care right away.
  
  The brain also controls behavior, so if your dog shows a sudden change in behavior that you can't explain, suspect that something may be wrong. If your normally well-mannered dog begins having accidents in the house, he may not be misbehaving; a stroke may be at the root of the problem. Similarly, if your dog is eating out of only one side of his bowl, he may have had a stroke.
  
  

What to Do Next

• Get your dog to the vet the moment you see any of these symptoms. Your vet will run tests to determine whether a stroke has occurred and may order an MRI or CT scan. Because these imaging methods allow the vet to see the soft tissues of the body, he will be able to perceive any blockages or ruptures.
  
  The vet may prescribe medications that will reduce the swelling of the brain. If an underlying cause of the stroke can be determined, the vet will treat that illness, too.
  
  Quick medical care makes the difference in your dog's survival and recovery from a stroke. Although many dogs recover within a short time, the damage from the stroke may affect them for the rest of their lives. Discuss with your vet what you adjustments you and your dog may need to make.