There has been increased coverage in the media about concussions, how serious they can be, and how important it is for anyone who suffers from a concussion to get treatment. If you're a dog owner, all of this information may have you wondering: can dogs get concussions, too? And as a dog owner, what can you do to mitigate and manage this problem? Keep reading, and you will find out.
How can dogs get concussions?
Dogs can get concussions the same way humans do: by hitting their heads. A concussion occurs when your brain moves inside your skull, basically banging into the side of your skull in a way that leads to bruising and bleeding. Any situation that causes a dog to hit its head can lead to a concussion. Common causes include:
What are the signs of a concussion in dogs?
If you see the incident happen and your dog hit his or her head, then you should assume they might have a concussion and should take them to the animal hospital for an evaluation.
Sometimes, you do not see anything bad happen to your dog, but you may notice the following symptoms of a possible concussion:
How do vets diagnose and treat concussions in dogs?
If you take your dog to the animal hospital for a suspected concussion, you can count on the vet looking at their eyes, testing their reflexes, and conducting imaging tests like an MRI to get an idea of how serious the concussion is.
Usually, treatment involves giving the dog oxygen and administering medications to reduce swelling in the brain. In more serious cases, your vet may have to perform a surgery to drain blood off the brain.
All dog owners should understand the basics about concussions in their pets. Always seek care promptly. It can be the difference between life and death for your pup.
To learn more, contact a resource like South Seattle Veterinary Hospital.
Share5 February 2021
When I moved into the town I'm living in now, there was a large population of stray cats. Unfortunately, that population kept growing in rapid numbers because none of the cats had been fixed. I knew that wasn't a healthy situation, so I reached out to a local shelter and a veterinarian to launch a trap-alter-release program. Within about a year, we had the entire population altered and released back to their environments. The logistics were significant, but not overwhelming. That's why I built this site. My goal is to teach others how to launch a similar program in their own neighborhood to help keep the stray cats healthier and safer.