Hattie's Had a Mini Stroke :’(

[Charlie]

Sometime after 4.00 am this morning Hattie has had a mini stroke. I was awake and she was absolutely fine. She is unable to stand up, her head is tilted slightly and her eyes are flickering (Nystagmus). This has happened so very suddenly from yesterday enjoying a 5 mile walk, playing tug with Charlie, outside with my sons, eating, drinking, toileting everything normal to this. We went straight to the vet who took bloods and gave her Vivitron. She said she could return to normal so we have to wait and see over the coming days. She is snuggled up with me in bed, we are snug as bugs.

We know that if there's no improvement we will have to make the kindest decision for our beautiful girl. We're heartbroken. xx

 

[HAH]

Oh @Charlie , I’m so so sorry - what a heartbreaking thing to happen. Keeping all crossed for an upturn in Hattie’s condition; sending massive hugs xxx

 

[Boogie]

I’m so sorry to hear this @Charlie

 

[Ashley]

Omg, I'm so sorry Helen. Hoping there is some improvement after some rest. Is she able to eat? Thinking of you

 

[Charlie]

Omg, I'm so sorry Helen. Hoping there is some improvement after some rest. Is she able to eat? Thinking of you

She wouldn't touch her kibble but ate a tin of tuna no problem. xx

 

[JES72]

Hope she improves. Sending lots of

 

[Stacia]

I had my dog put down because of this, I just wish I had waited longer, it may well get better. I understand that dogs do not have strokes, so my vet told me. I do hope Hattie recovers.

 

[jazzmynn]

Thinking of you, and praying you see some improvement...

 

[Jessica]

So sorry to hear this. Hopefully the vet's best case situation will happen and she will recover to her normal self. In the meantime, she will know that she is safe and loved.

 

[Cath]

Oh I am so so sorry Helen. My old dog had a stroke, but he got better. We had him another 2 years after.
I am thinking of Hattie, you and your family xx

 

[Heidrun]

I’m so sorry Helen. It does sound like Vestibular syndrome rather than a stroke. Alice suffered an attack last summer. The head tilt, wobbly gait and eye flicking are all classic symptoms. I would ask the vet to check her ears. Sometime vestibular can be brought on by an inner ear infection. Most dogs make a good recovery from vestibular given time. I kept Alice confined in a big play pen so that she couldn’t hurt herself when she tried to walk around. I also bought a sling that was enormously helpful in the early days helping her to walk outside to go to the loo. With regards to feeding I handled Alice soft, wet, smelly food. Forthglade do very good trays of wet food. A dog with vestibular will have problems locating a food bowl, it is a very similar feeling to vertigo. So hand feeding will make it possible to eat. If she is still refusing to eat she is probably feeling nauseous. There is a drug you can get from the vet to stop the nausea. Some dogs are so nauseous they don’t even want to drink which can create a big problem. I raised Alice’s water bowl which made it easier for her to access it. Fingers crossed Hattie will make a good recovery.

 

[Heidrun]

Did the vet give you any other medication apart from the vivitonin?

 

[Charlie]

@Heidrun Thank you so much, I have just been reading about Vestibular syndrome. The vet did not check her ears or take her temperature. I have a sling so that's good to help her. The only problem with other food is Hattie has early kidney disease so is on renal kibble with tinned tuna and cooked chicken once a week, I have to be very careful not giving her high protein or phosphors. Raising the water bowl - done. No the vet didn't give any other medication, she is on Leventa for her thyroid. How long did it take Alice to recover? xx

 

[Heidrun]

It took Alice about a week to recover. Sadly she had a second attack several months later and never made a full recovery but went on to have seizures. But I believe far more dogs make a good recovery without any lasting problems. I had a previous springer who had one attack of vestibular. She made a very good recovery and it never happened again. I think poor Alice had an underlying neurological problem which triggered her vestibular. If you do have to return to the vet I would ask them to check her ears just in case it is an inner ear infection which would need antibiotics. Alice was given a steroid injection, an anti nausea shot and some diazepam when she was first seen by the vet. I believe most dogs will show some marked improvement in 2-3 days.

 

[kateincornwall]

I am terribly sorry Helen , you must be distraught . I hope upon hope that Hattie can get over this , and send hugs for you xxx

 

[Charlie]

@Heidrun Hattie does have Perhipheral Neuropathy so this could have triggered it. She had two illnesses last year 3 months apart, the latest one was November 2020 but this seems worse and different. Last year again this all came on very suddenly, she had heavy panting, rapid heart rate, temperature, she was given AB shot and recovered within a week both times although it took some weeks to get back to normal exercise. The blood tests showed nothing so these 'bugs' were inconclusive. This time she has the problem standing, head tilting and flickering eyes. I will be asking the vet about this. xx

 

[MellowYellow]

I am very sorry this is horrid for you. Fingers crossed Hattie makes a full recovery.

 

[Selina27]

Helen @Charlie I'm sorry to read this about Hattie, I hope her condition stabilises and she is able to go on enjoying life. xxxx

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Oh Helen, I'm so sorry. You must be in a complete state.

I was encouraged to read the replies of others that it could be something besides a stroke and could be recoverable. Thinking all the good thoughts for you and Hattie.

 

[Anne123]

Oh no Helen! So sorry!! What a fright you must have had when it happened! As @Heidrun said, possible vestibulair syndrome should be ruled out.