Introduction

If your dog has had a stroke, you probably are feeling traumatized by the experience. You also are probably anticipating the possibility of a stroke happening again, and wondering what that might mean. Depending upon how well your dog has recovered from its stroke, you may or may not need to provide long-term supportive care at home. If your dog has recently had a stroke, or if you are living with a dog that has had physical or mental damage due to a stroke or otherwise, here are some helpful tips that can help you cope with this situation.

Caring for a Canine Stroke Victim

Continual care and supervision are extremely important for dogs suffering from strokes. The constant management that is necessary to care for these pets is one of the biggest problems that owners face. To alleviate these concerns, it is important for owners of affected dogs to arrange some type of alternative care for their pets when they are away. Alternative care could include having a neighbor check on your dog, arranging doggy day care, or hiring a professional pet sitter to be with your dog. You may even want to ask your employer if you can bring your dog to work with you, or run home at lunch time to visit with and check on your baby.

In many cases, dogs recover completely from strokes within a matter of weeks. However, in some cases, permanent damage can happen. If your dog is impaired but the quality of your dog’s life is still good, you may decide to provide supportive care for the rest of your dog’s life. This can be rewarding. It also can be exhausting and emotionally overwhelming in many cases, and it may help to talk with other owners of stroke-affected pets who are going through the same thing that you are. Look for support groups through your veterinarian or internet to help with your decision as to what to do in these difficult situations.