Lots
of great information about dog concussion.
It is very important to keep your dog as calm as possible. Many dogs suffer
from shock after a concussion. Talking to your dog softly can help them to gain
control of their own emotions. You may wish to wrap them up in a blanket as
well in order to help them maintain a normal body temperature.
There are many different symptoms of a dog concussion to be aware of. They include bleeding from the nose or ears, seizures, disorientation, being off balance, and changes to the pupils. Such differences in your dog should be noted and explained to a vet right away. You don’t want to take a wait and see approach if there is any chance that your dog does indeed have a concussion.
Your vet will conduct a series of tests and do a full medical history on the dog. An evaluation will be done to see if your dog is functioning normally in regards to all neurological abilities. Your vet will want to make sure your dog is as alert as possible. This may take some time though following a head injury so some grogginess is to be expected.
A CT Scan will allow the vet to see the brain internally. That way it can be seen if the brain is swollen or if there is bleeding in the brain area. They will also do X-Ray to check for a fractured skull and for any problems with the spinal cord.
Once a full diagnosis can be determined your vet will explain the various treatment options with you. For bleeding of the brain region it may be necessary for surgery to be done soon. This way pressure on the brain can be reduced. Your dog may have to remain at the vet overnight for observation. If the concussion isn’t major though your dog may be released into your care with specific instructions.
Your dog may not be eating properly as it recovers from a concussion. As a result, your dog may need to be given fluids through an IV. Medication for pain may be given as well. With a severe concussion your vet may find it is necessary to keep your dog sedated. This will allow him or her to get rest and to get ongoing treatment in order to recover from the injury.
To help prevent a concussion for your dog, keep puppies and smaller breeds on a leash. That way they can’t fall off of areas before you can get to them. If you have people moving around your home, place your dog in a secure location where it won’t be stepped on.
A dog can suffer from a head injury
called a concussion just like a person can. This type of injury is the result
of some type of trauma. A dog that has been kicked, dropped, fallen, or even struck
by a vehicle may have such a medical condition. This is a very serious problem
because it can result in bruising as well as swelling around the brain.
It is very important to keep your dog as calm as possible. Many dogs suffer
from shock after a concussion. Talking to your dog softly can help them to gain
control of their own emotions. You may wish to wrap them up in a blanket as
well in order to help them maintain a normal body temperature. There are many different symptoms of a dog concussion to be aware of. They include bleeding from the nose or ears, seizures, disorientation, being off balance, and changes to the pupils. Such differences in your dog should be noted and explained to a vet right away. You don’t want to take a wait and see approach if there is any chance that your dog does indeed have a concussion.
Your vet will conduct a series of tests and do a full medical history on the dog. An evaluation will be done to see if your dog is functioning normally in regards to all neurological abilities. Your vet will want to make sure your dog is as alert as possible. This may take some time though following a head injury so some grogginess is to be expected.
A CT Scan will allow the vet to see the brain internally. That way it can be seen if the brain is swollen or if there is bleeding in the brain area. They will also do X-Ray to check for a fractured skull and for any problems with the spinal cord.
Once a full diagnosis can be determined your vet will explain the various treatment options with you. For bleeding of the brain region it may be necessary for surgery to be done soon. This way pressure on the brain can be reduced. Your dog may have to remain at the vet overnight for observation. If the concussion isn’t major though your dog may be released into your care with specific instructions.
Your dog may not be eating properly as it recovers from a concussion. As a result, your dog may need to be given fluids through an IV. Medication for pain may be given as well. With a severe concussion your vet may find it is necessary to keep your dog sedated. This will allow him or her to get rest and to get ongoing treatment in order to recover from the injury.
To help prevent a concussion for your dog, keep puppies and smaller breeds on a leash. That way they can’t fall off of areas before you can get to them. If you have people moving around your home, place your dog in a secure location where it won’t be stepped on.