Diagnosis of Head Trauma in Dogs
If your dog experiences head trauma, there are several tests that are likely to be done to assess the level of damage that has occurred. Your veterinarian will get information about the onset of the signs and about the dog’s overall medical history. Blood will be drawn to get a complete blood count and biochemistry profile which will help uncover any toxins or imbalances that might be present. These samples will be compared with previous tests to check for changes in the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
X-rays of the head and neck area may be helpful in determining if there is any fracturing of the skull where the trauma occurred, although a computerized tomography (CT) scan will get a clearer of both the skull and brain. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not yet common as an imaging technique for canines as it is expensive and requires the dog to be fully sedated, it can be useful in certain situations to diagnose injuries to the brain and spinal cord.
First steps if your dog injures their head
All pets that have experienced a head injury should be checked by a vet.
Trouble standing up or balancing following a head injury can quickly indicate a concussion. These symptoms may be associated with other long-term problems, such as brain tumor, as well. However, if they happen suddenly, concussion is the more likely cause.
Your vet will give you more information about the type and frequency of rest your dog needs. She may need to be kept awake for a while, or it may be best for her to sleep off the concussion, depending on her specific situation.
Do you have a dog? Has she recently suffered an injury? Are you concerned that she may have a concussion? If your dog has been recently injured, especially with a head injury, there is a chance she could be experiencing a concussion. Although it can be difficult to tell when a dog has a concussion, there are several signs you should learn to look for. If you see these signs, take her to the vet for proper treatment right away.
Dogs may become lethargic for a variety of reasons. However, if your dog becomes lethargic or uninterested in food and activity following a head injury, this could be a sign that she’s dealing with a concussion.
At VEG, we care about your dog’s health and are always prepared to handle any emergency situation that may occur. We have locations all over the country, with most being open 24/7, including holidays. If your dog is showing symptoms of a concussion, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We have emergency veterinarians who are ready to talk with you and guide you on the next best steps to make sure your pet gets the care she needs.
Dog Head Injuries – How to Help
Dogs are our best friends. They are there for us when we are upset, stressed, or sad. They are there to make us smile, laugh, and remember how much fun life can be.
As silly as they can be, we forget they can be hurt, and they will do their best to hide it from us, their caretakers. It is critical to watch out for our furry friends and make sure they stay healthy and carefree throughout their lives.
Like humans, dogs can get concussions, which are the most common form of head trauma for canines. Car accidents, falls from heights, an overly enthusiastic head butt, rough play, running into something hard, or getting hit by something falling are all causes of concussions for dogs.
Knowing how active our canine pals can be and that sometimes these things happen when we are not around, pet parents need to know what to look for so our friends can make a full recovery. Below are the most common symptoms of a concussion in your dog.
Dogs that are active, playful, and excited who have an incident like the above may become lethargic. They may suddenly want to sleep all the time, doze off or not be able to wake up properly. If this is a new behavior in your dog and they just had a form of head trauma, head to the vet.
Head pressing is a clear sign that you need to take your dog to the vet immediately. This is not the same as pressing against you for a pet or a treat. Head pressing is a sign of a disease or nervous system injury. It could be caused by a salt imbalance, a tumor, rabies, parasites, lead poisoning, a stroke, or a head injury.
Because you may not have seen any signs of these causes, you need to take your furry friend to the vet to find out why they are head pressing so you can resolve the issue quickly and get your dog back to a comfortable state.
Like humans, when a dog has a concussion, they can lose balance or be disoriented. If your pet is normally sure-footed but suddenly seems to fall over for no reason, head trauma may have occurred. If your dog friend is unsure of where they are and seems to lose track of the water or food bowl, make sure to go to your vet. Not only could these be signs of head trauma, it could also be signs of a stroke. The quicker you get your dog to the vet, the quicker you can get help.
Convulsions and muscular contractions are another sign of head trauma. If your dog has these, however, it could also be a sign of epilepsy, liver disease, brain tumors, toxins, or kidney failure.
Unlike the motions our dogs make when dreaming, these convulsions will look like seizures and your dog will not be in control of their movements. If this happens, call your vet and get an appointment immediately.
Your dog’s eyes are not just windows into the soul, they are a dead giveaway to a potential concussion. If you look at your dog’s pupils and one is more dilated than the other, your pup might have anisocoria, which is a symptom of head trauma, exposure to chemicals, or degeneration of the eye. While this may resolve on its own, each of these symptoms can be deadly for your furry friend if not resolved by a vet.
If your dog hits their head, and a lump appears, or if they get nosebleeds or have blood in their ears, it has a serious problem and needs to be seen by your trusted vet.
While your dog may have asthma, if a head injury occurs and they cannot breathe normally, this is a sign of a concussion. A dog whose heartbeat slows or quickens after a head injury is also at risk of a concussion and needs to be taken to the vet right away.
Just as you would take someone to the doctor who hit their head and fainted, you need to take your furry friend to the vet if your dog hits their head and faints. This is a clear sign that a concussion has occurred and the best way to help your dog is to get professional help immediately.