In dogs, concussions are most often the result of a traffic accident, a fall from a ladder or from a height. This is always associated with loss of consciousness.
We can talk about three degrees of concussion. In the case of the first, a temporary disturbance of consciousness is observed, which disappears within 15 minutes. In the case of the second, it takes more than 15 minutes. The third stage is characterized by loss of consciousness.
Due to the lack of verbal communication between you and your dog, it is important that you pay attention to his behavior and monitor him closely if he is involved in an accident. If left untreated, a concussion can lead to long-term brain damage and, in worst cases, death.
Symptoms of Concussion in Dogs
Seeing your dog hit his head, or even if you find him exhibiting these symptoms, requires immediate action. Most symptoms appear within the first few hours after the accident, sometimes even minutes, but others can take days.
- difficulty walking
- standing problem
- paralysis
- vomit
- loss of appetite
- loss of bowel function
- disorientation and confusion
- lethargy and sleeping much more than usual
- loss of consciousness or in more serious cases coma
- dilated pupils or changes in the eyes
- any signs of shock
- convulsions and trembling
- bleeding from the nose or ears
- acting strange, distant, or depressed
- any kind of cut or bruise on the head
- labored breathing
Any of these symptoms could indicate a head injury, which means it is highly recommended that you call your veterinarian immediately.
Symptoms of head injuries in a pet
Very often, symptoms of a concussion may not appear immediately or may be absent altogether, so in the event of an injury, owners need to closely monitor the condition of their pet.
The most common symptoms:
- Strong headache. The dog tries not to move its head or, on the contrary, shakes it violently.
- Your pet may experience nausea or vomiting.
- The animal loses coordination. He staggers, spins on the spot, and sometimes cannot rise to his feet due to severe dizziness.
- The dog may periodically faint or not regain consciousness at all.
- No appetite.
- Looks lethargic, confused, nervous and whines.
- Dilated pupils, pale mucous membranes.
- The pet can behave very aggressively, bite and lunge at others, and behave inappropriately.
- If a dog has a severe concussion, there may be temporary loss of vision or hearing, and the pet may involuntarily leak urine or feces. Diarrhea or constipation may occur.
- Drowsiness.
- Does not respond to commands or calls.
- Refuses treats.
The lung will not harm the dog; it will quickly recover on its own. A moderate injury will affect the pet’s well-being and overall activity. The dog will become lethargic and passive for several days. Severe ones are the most dangerous due to their consequences. Failure to provide timely assistance may result in the death of the pet.
When a dog has a concussion, symptoms may include the following.
- Vomit. The animal feels sick and vomits. And if the dog has recently eaten, he will definitely vomit.
- Unsteady gait. A head injury will cause you to lose your balance. The pet's paws become tangled and coordination of movements is impaired. The dog can spin in place or walk in a circle.
- Lack of response to the owner's voice. The dog may not respond to the call or refuse to follow commands.
- Appetite often disappears.
- Drowsiness. The animal is lethargic, sleeps a lot and does not respond to games. Or the dog will hide from family members in a quiet and darkened room.
- Shiver. The owner can observe how the limbs shake and the eyelids twitch.
- Headaches in a dog. This will manifest itself in a constant desire to rub your forehead on an object. Or the animal will hold its head unnaturally straight and without movement.
- Fainting.
- Inappropriate behavior. There were cases of attacks on the owner.
- Breathing problems. The dog will gasp for air and stick out its tongue.
- Whining, quiet howling or hoarse barking.
- Disorders of the cardiac system.
Not all symptoms can be determined independently, but if your pet exhibits 3-4 signs, you should contact your veterinarian.
Causes of concussion
- car crashes;
- being hit by a car on the street;
- being in a vehicle during a traffic accident;
- falls from great heights (mainly in smaller dogs that are carried in a purse or in the arms);
- hitting walls or trees;
- attacks by other dogs.
Although dogs have thicker heads, some smaller breeds are more susceptible to concussions through the shape of their skull. Some breeds have open fontanelles, the space between the bones of the skull, which makes a concussion much more likely.
This can be associated with the soft and underdeveloped skull of a small child. In these breeds, it is best to take the dog directly to the vet rather than wait for symptoms to develop.
Types of Concussion in Dogs
There are four common types of brain injuries in dogs, concussions being just one of them.
- A concussion is a severe injury to the brain caused by a strong blow. This is the most common type of traumatic brain injury in dogs.
- Contusion is a blow that is delivered directly to the brain, causing internal bleeding.
- Impact-reaction - characterized by two contusions: one at the site of impact, and the second on the other side, caused by a contusion of the brain into the skull as a result of a direct blow.
- Diffuse axonal syndrome is a tremor or rotation that destroys nerve tissue and causes severe brain damage.
Treatment
If your dog has a bad fall or accident and exhibits any of the above signs, it is very likely that he has a concussion. Now that you have identified the problem, you need to treat your concussion as quickly as possible. Just like humans, dogs also have a treatment protocol.
First, you need to calm your dog so that he doesn't get too excited. If she is scared or anxious, you will have a hard time determining whether she actually has a traumatic brain injury.
In some cases, your dog may not even be injured. You won't know until you calm him down and make sure he's okay. If there is a visible wound you should take your dog to the vet immediately. Even if there is no head injury, if your dog is showing symptoms, take him to the vet as well.
Since your dog may not report pain or confusion, in the event of a head injury, it's best to play it safe and take him to the hospital.
When it arrives, the veterinarian will run a series of tests on your dog. Basically, the veterinarian will draw blood and ensure that all of your dog's organs are working properly, eliminating the possibility of shock, before proceeding.
The shock is extremely severe and results in long-term damage and death. If you notice your dog is in shock, raise his head and watch his breathing in case he needs to perform CPR.
How to perform CPR on a dog:
- Lay the dog on its side on a flat surface.
- Place your hand on most of the dog's chest.
- With your arms secured, squeeze your dog's chest to a quarter of its width at a steady rate of 80 compressions per minute.
- Continue CPR until your dog is conscious, breathing on his own, or a trained veterinarian or staff can provide compressions.
Knowing these steps can save your dog in an emergency!
Signs of shock are:
- Limited mental performance or activity
- blue gums
- irregular heartbeat
- low temperature
- rapid breathing
- shallow pulse
- convulsions
After ruling out shock and evaluating the heart and lungs, your veterinarian may give your dog oxygen and fluid infusions to prevent nausea and relieve some symptoms.
Your dog may also be prescribed some anti-inflammatory medications to reduce and prevent brain inflammation and to make your dog more comfortable.
Certain neurological tests may be performed to better assess the severity of a concussion. Some severe cases require surgery to correct brain bleeding or other internal injuries that accompany a concussion.
Like people who suffer a head injury, your dog will likely be kept overnight for observation. In severe cases, your dog may remain in the hospital for several days.
This time allows the veterinarian to determine how severe the brain swelling may be, rule out any type of internal bleeding, and closely monitor any symptoms that arise.
It also prevents secondary injuries, which can be more traumatic and cause more serious long-term consequences than the initial head injury. Other than these few steps, there really isn't much that can be done for a head injury. Observation and rest are key aspects of the healing process.
First aid
Symptoms of a concussion may appear 2-3 hours after the dog is injured. In some cases, they appear after 1-2 days.
After mechanical impact on the head, you should not pet the animal. Due to stress, the dog's behavior can be unpredictable. To avoid bites, you need to wear a muzzle or tie the mouth with bandages until the pet comes to its senses.
If the owner observes symptoms of a concussion in his pet, he should immediately take him to the veterinarian, after first providing him with first aid:
- remove the collar to make breathing easier;
- pull out your tongue to prevent choking;
- place a cold compress on your pet’s head;
- place the animal on its right side. It is necessary to bring your pet to the clinic in this position.
If a concussion is accompanied by loss of consciousness in a dog, cessation of breathing and heartbeat, it is necessary to place it on a hard, flat surface. The animal requires artificial respiration and cardiac massage.
Long-term effects of concussion
If treated promptly and correctly, the long-term effects of your dog's traumatic brain injury may be minimal. Immediate consequences may include loss of consciousness, confusion and, in severe cases, loss of heartbeat and breathing.
Typically, with proper care, there are no real long-term consequences and your dog will return to normal. If a concussion is left untreated or if a secondary injury occurs, your dog may experience low mental alertness in the future.
Caring for your dog after a concussion is critical to keeping your dog healthy and the dog you've always loved.
First aid
If you suspect an injury, it is important to provide your dog with the necessary assistance in a timely manner.
The animal needs to unfasten the collar and free its muzzle. If the dog is wearing clothes, they must also be removed.
Lay on the mat on its side. It is better to choose a hard surface, or lay a flat board.
If you lose consciousness, you need to take out your tongue so that the dog does not suffocate.
It is better to place a towel soaked in cool water on your head.
Be sure to check if there is a pulse and if the animal is breathing.
If possible, you should immediately take the dog to a veterinary clinic. Even with a mild concussion, a pet can suffer internal damage that is invisible to the human eye.
The diagnosis must be made by a specialist
If you can’t take him to a specialist, you can call him home. But it is imperative to show the dog to a doctor.
If there are symptoms from the list presented earlier, the animal should be quickly taken to a veterinarian. If you lose consciousness, you must also provide first aid; to do this, lay your pet on its side and unfasten the collar, if it was worn. If possible, apply a cold compress to your dog's head.
When your pet gets to the veterinarian, he will have to immediately conduct an examination. It is worth mentioning that this diagnostic method is sufficient in most situations, but sometimes it will be necessary to assess the extent of the injury using computed tomography.
This method is also used in the presence of controversial and ambiguous symptoms. Often an ordinary x-ray is also taken to study the bone tissue. This way, the doctor can rule out a fracture due to injury. It is also worth looking at the pet's fundus and performing reaction tests.
Care
Once your dog leaves the hospital, you will be instructed to continue monitoring him in your own home. You may need to reduce your activity and ensure that no secondary injuries occur within two weeks. You need to keep your dog in a dim and quiet area of your home so that he can relax and recover without any problems.
Each case is different, and depending on how aggressive the concussion is, the rest period may be longer. In more serious cases, there is an obvious injury that will also need to be tended to, so ask your veterinarian about how often the bandage should be changed.
A simple bandage and antibiotic cream should prevent infection. Ultimately, listen to your veterinarian and care for your dog for the recommended amount of time.
Therapy and treatment
Treatment of a concussion in a dog should only be done by a professional. Self-medication can lead to unpredictable consequences, including the death of the dog. Only a veterinarian can treat such a dangerous lesion. He will determine his patient’s condition and select individual treatment methods based on the level of damage, age, weight and breed of the dog.
In the case when a head injury causes disturbances in consciousness, if the dog does not respond to external stimuli, you should urgently contact a veterinarian.
Delay can be extremely dangerous. Doctors prescribe treatment that is very similar to the same actions for concussions in humans, but with the adjustment that the drugs must be intended for veterinary purposes.
Self-medication carries a huge danger, so you can use any drugs only at the discretion of the veterinarian and judging by the condition of the dog. It must be remembered that some “human” drugs can lead to extremely undesirable consequences.
If your pet has suffered a head injury, then the first thing that needs to be done for him at home is to provide complete rest, warmth, absence of drafts, a sufficient amount of clean water, and light food. If the animal's condition does not improve for several days, it must be taken to the clinic.
Pet owners are concerned about how long it takes for a concussion to heal. This depends on the severity of the damage. For minor injuries, this will take a few days to a couple of weeks, moderate concussions require a longer recovery period, and rehabilitation after severe injuries takes months.
How to Prevent Concussions
Because concussions, except in very severe cases, usually occur as a result of accidents, they are difficult to prevent. Keep your dog away from high places, away from falling objects, and keep a close eye on him when walking around town to make sure he doesn't get hit by a car.
You can keep her tied up, away from angry animals, away from high-profile performances, and confined to your home to keep her out of trouble. Being a good pet owner depends on being vigilant and avoiding injury to your dog.
However, accidents are an inevitable part of pet ownership, but being prepared to deal with brain injuries can help your dog receive the best treatment.
