Can dogs get a head concussion like humans do? There are really no home remedies for severe head trauma in dogs, if your dog sustained severe head trauma, please see your vet at once! There are a few things though you can do at home for mild cases such as when your dog hits his head against a coffee table and develops a little bump on his head. In this article, we will look at signs of head concussions in dogs and what you can do for those minor bumps that may pop on your dog's head.
Hard-Headed Dogs
When it comes to dog skulls, dogs are quite hard-headed creatures. When your dog bumps his head against the coffee table of bed, he might just shake his head once or twice and then life goes back to normal, as if nothing ever happened. In these cases, dogs must thank their heavy temporal musculature and thick skull, which makes them less likely to develop traumatic brain injuries compared to cats, explains veterinarian Michael Schaer, in the book "Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat, Second Edition."
While a small bump against the table or chair may not cause any major complications other than an innocent bump, in some cases though it's important to recognize signs of trouble so to see the vet at once.
"In my 16 yrs of practice, I have never met even one dog or cat who did serious damage to themselves by hitting a table of chair or other object. Fortunately, the skull is very strong, and the worst I have ever seen has been a tender bump for 1 - 2 days." Dr. Fiona
What to Watch For
[adinserter block="4"] In many cases, it takes much more than hitting the head against a table for a dog to develop worrisome symptoms suggesting a serious head trauma. Most worrisome incidents involve head trauma deriving from a car accident, being kicked by a horse, or a blow to the head from something like a baseball bat.
Signs of trouble suggesting a serious concussion includes: loss of consciousnesses, lethargy, less interest in surroundings, pupils of unequal size, tilted head, abnormal eye movements, changes in breathing pattern and blood loss from the ear canal or nose. Seizures may also arise after a blow to the head.
According to a study, dogs who sustained a severe head trauma were found to have a higher incidence for developing seizures, especially in the immediate or early post-traumatic period. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, please see your vet at once.
"You'd be surprised how much force it takes to really cause head trauma in a dog. Just hitting her head on a coffee table may cause a bit of a bump and some pain but I would not worry about any brain trauma. Worst case scenario that there is head trauma, these are the signs you'd look for- different size pupils, difficulty walking, muscle tremors, seizures. If you notice any of those, then she should be seen right away." ~Dr. Gary
Use a Flashlight
Since one of the signs of brain injury involves the eyes, it can be helpful to check them out. Serious blows can can cause injury to the dog's optic nerve, interfering with the pupil's (black portion of the eye) ability to dilate. By looking at the dog's pupils carefully, once can check if they are of the same size. Pupils that are unequal are a warning sign of trouble and a vet should be sought at once.
A test to see whether the pupils are working properly is getting a flashlight and shining its bright light into the dog's eyes about 1 or 2 inches away, suggests veterinarian Dr. Fiona. This is best done in a dark room, after a minute or so of staying in the dark. It is best to check each eye separately and to wait about 10 seconds between checking each eye, suggests Vetmom4, a veterinarian with 28 years as practice owner.
Normally, the pupils should decrease in size upon detecting the light flashing. If the pupils don't react by shrinking, a vet should be consulted at once.
Pass the Peas Please
[adinserter block="7"] For minor head injuries limited to just a bump on the head and no worrisome accompanying symptoms, dog owners can help the bump on the head heal and shrink faster. Generally, the bump tends to go down within 48 hours, but dog owners can try a home remedy to expedite the healing process. Simply, grab a bag of frozen peas and place it on the swelling, suggests veterinarian Dr. Christian.
Don't Hesitate to See The Vet
The above tips may be fine for mild cases, where the dog just bumps his head and then is back to normal in no time, but serious cases such as car accidents or serious blows to head warrant an immediate trip to the veterinary emergency center. The reason being that not always are the signs of a traumatic injury obvious. Unfortunately, brain swelling and bleeding can occur even hours after the accident, so it's always best to see the vet if in any doubt.
Upon seeing the dog, the vet will perform a neurological exam and evaluate signs of potential damage such as loss of balance, abnormal looking eyes and altered levels of alertness. X-rays or a CT scan can reveal any fractures or signs of brain injury. There are no home remedies for serious head trauma in dogs as treatment consists of supportive care, intravenous fluids, providing pain relievers and giving the dog important medications which aim to decrease the swelling of the brain (mannitol).
"Head injuries can worsen significantly over the first 24-48 hours after the accident as swelling and bleeding increase within the cranium."~Dr. Laura Devlin
*Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you suspect your dog has a concussion or some other type of head trauma, please see your vet immediately for proper diagnosis and treatmen
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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.
Lethargy
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
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.
Disorientation, Loss of Balance
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
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.
Pupil Dilation
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.
Bleeding or a Lump
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.
Difficulty Breathing or Faltering Heartbeat
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.
Fainting
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.
Expert Treatment for Concussions in Your Pet
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posted on October 21, 2020 at 6:21 pm by Doctor Ron