Recovery advice on a Dog that has taken a stroke

[sophiedoll]

Hi

Has anyone experienced a stroke with their dog? what was the recovery time & what did you do to make life easier for your dog?

Please help.....

[lucynlizzysmum]

Our old dog had a stroke as has the next door collie. Both recovered well with time and patience. Bracken lived another two years after hers, and the collie next door had her stroke over a year ago and is still running around. Disorientation due to them not being balanced seems to be the worst thing at the start, its awful as they try to go in a straight line and dont manage. But take it slowly with them and they can seem to live a good life. Time and patience and lots of tlc :-)

[sophiedoll]

thanks everybody will pop her on an aspirin a day to see if that helps

[Em5]

I would seek veterinary advice before giving aspirin to thin the blood as there are different types of strokes!!!!
Ischaemic stroke usually caused by disruption in blood flow to brain which aspirin would help prevent but there is also haemorrhagic caused by ruptured blood vessel, asprin would definitely not be recommended in this case.

Prognosis and recovery Depends on type and site of stroke.

[kayjayem]

Definitely take veterinary advice before putting on aspirin you may do more harm than good!

[sophiedoll]

Thanks everyone for your input & I sought Vet advice & put her on the aspirin a day. Was also told to out her on it at the same time each day for it to be effective.
Sophie is doing great but I have noticed a few behaviour changes in her. Never before in her 13 years of living with me has she ever jumped up on the sofa & she regularly up there! Plus she is going back to puppy behaviour as is ripping up items like magazines & a Tesco bag for life.. She is not displaying nesting behaviour in case anyone suggests that....