Why do cats and dogs experience fainting, what does this symptom mean and what the owner should do if fainting occurs, says Anastasia Anatolyevna Zayats, a cardiologist at the Biocontrol clinic.
—How often do owners come to see you complaining that their pet lost consciousness the day before?
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Brief loss of consciousness in dogs and cats is one of the most common reasons for owners to consult a veterinary cardiologist. This formidable symptom requires careful differential diagnosis, since it can be a manifestation of a number of pathologies.
— What is "fainting"?
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Fainting (syncope) is a sudden short-term loss of consciousness associated with a decrease in the blood supply to the brain. This condition is characterized by rapid development, short-term course and full recovery.
- Which of the following reasons is the most dangerous?
- Each of these causes is dangerous and requires treatment.
- Why is it dangerous?
- Any episode of loss of consciousness is potentially life-threatening, but rhythm and conduction disturbances are the most life-threatening cause of fainting.
- What should the owner do first when a pet faints?
- Fainting lasts a few seconds, and most often the animal wakes up on its own. If this does not happen, then it is necessary to change the position of the animal's body so that the head is lower than the body. You can stimulate the respiratory center by sipping on the tongue and ventilate the room. In this case, the owner should note the parameters important for the veterinarian:
- the color of the visible mucous membranes (tongue, gums, conjunctiva);
- events preceding fainting (cough, emotions, physical activity, etc.);
- the duration of the attack;
- recovery time after an attack.
Well, and, despite the complete restoration of the normal state of the pet, do not postpone the visit to.
- What diagnostics will be carried out in the clinic?
- If a cardiogenic cause of fainting is suspected, a comprehensive cardiological examination is performed, including blood pressure measurement. If arrhythmia is suspected, especially in predisposed breeds, 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring is performed. With the exclusion of cardiac diseases, consultation of other specialists is often required: a neurologist,.
- What is the prevention of syncope in pets?
- There can be only one prevention - constant monitoring of your pet's health. Especially close attention is required by the breeds of dogs predisposed to the development of life-threatening arrhythmias: Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, German Shepherds. For them, even one episode of loss of consciousness is the basis for an early consultation with a cardiologist.
Cardiological examination is an important part of the overall diagnostic work, along with the consultation of a neurologist and.
It is generally accepted that impressionable and nervous people tend to faint. It is all the more unexpected to find out that our pets can do the same too. What to do if your dog fainted, and what could this unusual phenomenon indicate at all?
GENERAL INFORMATION
The term "fainting" refers to a short period of unconsciousness due to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. It lasts, it can be from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. What are the causes of fainting in a dog?
Most fainting occurs due to hypoxia, often with reduced pressure. This phenomenon is not a disease, but it often indicates the presence of some kind of pathology. So, if your dog constantly and for no apparent reason "turns off", this may indicate the presence of a tumor in his brain.
Blood pressure readings depend on the condition of the heart and vascular bed. Accordingly, diseases of the heart or blood vessels (cardiovascular system) are the most common causes of fainting. It is not uncommon for a dog to "move away" due to problems with the conductive structures of the heart (bundle blockade). Some structural heart disease (cardiomyopathy) or pericardial disease that interferes with the normal heart rate process may also be to blame.
Please note! Fainting of cardiac etiology is extremely dangerous, as it can lead to severe morphofunctional disorders of the brain (they last for a long time).
Like humans, some dogs are characterized by increased nervous excitability, and fainting in their case may be due to "physiological" reasons. So, some dogs faint with joy. Of course, such cases are rare, but they should not be completely ruled out.
Other causes that can lead to fainting in dogs include: severe respiratory illness (in some cases, even a severe cough may be to blame), metabolic diseases, endocrine gland disorders, vegetative dystonia, anemia (this is a very common predisposing factor) and some medications. The less a dog is in a swoon, the less dangerous it is for the animal's body.
SYMPTOMATICS AND DETECTION OF CAUSES
What can you watch for a dog that, for one reason or another, is prone to cases of fainting? There are no specific symptoms, but predisposed pets often behave somewhat strangely:
Sudden weakness. Fainting often begins with sudden weakness, which in some cases reaches ataxia (uncoordinated movements are observed). If your dog is experiencing something similar, show it to your veterinarian. It will definitely not be superfluous.
In some dogs, before fainting, "musical abilities" are cut through: the dog begins to squeal, whine, wheeze. It looks scary, especially in those cases when immediately before "dumping" the animal literally rolls its eyes.
Stiff neck muscles. Simply put, the muscles are very relaxed so that the head of the dog literally "falls through". Sometimes it looks like the pet is having an epileptic seizure, after which the dog faints.
In many cases of fainting or light-headedness, the dog will unknowingly empty the bowels and bladder. The dog should not be blamed for this, since he cannot control his actions at the moment the cerebral cortex is disconnected.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION INFORMATION
Treatment for fainting is to find and eliminate the root cause. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Fainting in an animal is often considered idiopathic. In this case, the owner can only rely on some opportunities to prevent seizures. In particular, try to protect the dog from stress, regularly treat worms, etc.
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The reasons why a dog loses consciousness can depend on both internal and external factors. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. In the event of an episode of fainting, the main task of the pet owner is to provide first aid to the animal. In the future, it is necessary to show the dog to the veterinarian, since this condition is only a symptom and indicates a certain malaise.
Syncope (syncope) in a dog is characterized by temporary loss of consciousness. The dog stops responding to external stimuli, reflexes are inhibited. He does not perceive sounds, does not feel touch.
The condition usually occurs spontaneously. Often, it may be preceded by intense excitement associated with a positive or negative event. During an attack, a weakening of the tone of the muscles of the front and hind legs is noted and the animal falls on its stomach or on its side. In rare cases, consciousness is retained. However, at the same time, coordination is lost and the perception of the external world is disturbed.
Loss of consciousness may last for several seconds, and the dog will wake up on its own. In other cases, consciousness is absent for several minutes and does not return without the provision of appropriate assistance.
Fainting should not be confused with a breakdown that occurs during a period of illness as a result of intoxication or exhaustion. In this case, the animal retains reflexes and reactions to external stimuli. Although, they are not as pronounced as in a healthy pet.
The reasons
Fainting is most often caused by a violation of the blood supply to the brain, which can be caused by various pathological processes in the body. In addition, the collar can be too tight, which squeezes blood vessels in the neck and disrupts the blood supply to the brain.
In most cases, loss of consciousness in a dog is associated with pathologies of the heart and circulatory system. The factors provoking this condition may be:
- cardiac arrhythmia;
- ventricular tachycardia;
- heart failure;
- heart defects;
- damage to the valve apparatus;
- violations of vascular tone;
- narrowing of the pulmonary artery;
- ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
In neurological pathologies, loss of consciousness is observed in the following diseases:
- epilepsy (in this case, fainting is usually preceded by an epileptic seizure);
- disruption of neurons (which may be a consequence of cerebrovascular accident);
- stimulation of the tone of the vagus nerve in response to external stimuli.
In addition, the causes of loss of consciousness can be:
- toxic poisoning;
- overdose or negative reaction to drugs;
- low blood sugar;
- low blood sugar;
- lack of trace elements in the body.
Diagnostics
To determine why a dog is losing consciousness, it needs a comprehensive examination at a veterinary clinic. Episodes of fainting should not be ignored, as they signal the development of a serious illness.
First of all, the doctor assesses the behavior of the animal, muscle tone, the presence of various abnormalities. The doctor may ask you to walk with the animal around the office. Depending on the dog's gait, its movements, the doctor may suspect the development of a characteristic pathology. For example, the presence of paresis (weakened voluntary movements) may indicate abnormalities in the brain stem. Involuntary muscle contractions indicate motor nerve damage.
During the examination, the veterinarian will be able to see if the dog has muscle weakness, which often accompanies intoxication (poisoning or a consequence of an illness). The presence of a tremor may be due to damage to the cerebellum. Abrupt changes in pet behavior (for example, unreasonable attacks of aggression) can be the result of pathology of the cerebral cortex.
In addition to visual examination, reflexes and pain sensitivity are assessed. They allow you to determine in which part of the brain the disease develops.
To clarify the diagnosis, an electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the heart and blood vessels, MRI or CT can be prescribed. In some cases, Holter monitoring is used, which allows you to assess the circadian rhythm of the heart and changes in blood pressure.
A blood test is a poorly informative study in this case. It is prescribed to determine the lack or excess of any trace elements in the body.
What to do first
During an attack, it is essential to do the following:
- Lay the dog on its side.
- Lay the animal so that the head is on a level below the body (this way you can ensure the flow of blood to the head).
- Stick out your pet's tongue.
- Put a cold compress on your head in the back of the head.
- After the dog comes to his senses, give him cold water.
Fainting cannot be ignored. Inaction will only lead to the progression of the pathology, which causes fainting, which is dangerous for the pet's life.
It will be useful, if possible, to film the episode of loss of consciousness itself. So the doctor will be able to see the attack, which will help him choose the most optimal tactics for further action.
Treatment
Treatment for syncope will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Depending on the type of pathology, the veterinarian will use the following therapeutic methods:
- elimination of intoxication;
- removal of an object that interferes with the normal penetration of air into the body;
- restoration of glucose levels in the body;
- prescribing drugs that compensate for the lack of micronutrients;
- the introduction of intravenous drugs that thin the blood;
- normalization of pressure.
In rare cases, more complex manipulations (such as blood transfusions) or surgery are required.
Fainting is a sudden loss of consciousness that occurs in a dog due to insufficient filling of the cerebral vessels with blood (hypoxia), combined with a decrease in blood pressure.
This condition can be short-term or long-term.
Causes of fainting in dogs
There are many reasons for fainting. So,
- overwork (especially as a result of long-term transportation in a stuffy and cramped car),
- hypothermia
- stuffiness,
- hunger for more than a week,
- or intoxication of the body
lead to vascular disorders. The vessels of the brain expand or contract sharply, and fainting occurs. Other causes of fainting in a dog can be neurogenic changes in the central nervous system or a sharp drop in blood sugar. In any case, the causes of fainting must be sought in the work of blood vessels, heart or blood.
The most dangerous are fainting that occurs as a result of cardiac dysfunction. They can be quite long (up to half an hour), which often leads to the sudden death of the animal.
Symptoms
It can be a harbinger of fainting.
- The dog cannot stand
- coordination is disturbed,
- the animal weakens and lies down.
- The mucous membranes turn pale
- breathing becomes shallow, barely noticeable,
- limbs get cold
In case of a sudden fainting, the dog falls, a weak pulse is felt, the animal does not respond to commands and nicknames.
First aid for a dog with fainting
The owner of the dog should be able to provide first aid for fainting, as it is needed very quickly. If the dog faints, move it immediately to fresh air, cool place or shade. If this happened in winter, you cannot lay it on bare ground, you need to spread something or find a wooden bench, a platform or something like that.
- The animal must be freed from the collar, muzzle, harness, leash and put on its side.
- The dog should be laid down so that the head is lower. This will provide blood flow to the brain.
- To ensure this position, you need to raise the back of the body and put rolled clothes under it.
- You also urgently need to pull out your tongue and check for vomit in the airways. If they are found, then you need to clean the mouth with your finger.
- You can put a cold, damp cloth on the dog's head, and in winter, snow or ice wrapped in a scarf or towel.
- In the heat, you can simply pour water on the animal's head.
- After the dog comes to his senses, he needs to give him a drink of cold water.
- If she is too weak and cannot drink on her own, then water should be poured behind the cheek in small portions. Having moved the animal to a more convenient place, it is worth giving it warm sweetened water.
You can feed it no earlier than an hour after the restoration of normal condition. To stimulate the work of the heart and respiration, if the animal has a heart disease, it can be given Corvalol, Cordiamine and other similar medications. Even if the dog fainted once, it needs to be examined, since such a condition could be caused not only by environmental factors (transportation, stuffiness, etc.), but also by serious pathologies and diseases of the heart.
Update: December 2019
Brief loss of consciousness in dogs is called fainting or syncope. This is such a sudden condition when the animal suddenly falls on its side or stomach, stops responding to external stimuli, and there may be a lack of basic physiological reflexes, including reaction to its own owner.
In addition, the rhythm of breathing and heartbeat may be disturbed. Most syncope are associated with impaired cerebral circulation and the supply of oxygen to cells and tissues. From what the dog loses consciousness, and what to do in such cases to the owners - we analyze in the article.
Reasons why an animal may lose consciousness
The dog faints for one reason - due to hypoxia (or oxygen starvation) of brain cells. But the very state of the brain is provoked by numerous external and internal factors.
External:
- Excessive squeezing of the neck collar, which disrupts blood circulation in the blood vessels of the neck and head as a whole.
- Overheating or hypothermia... In the first case, blood pressure drops against the background of excessive expansion of blood vessels, in the second, a spasm (constriction) occurs from low temperatures. In both cases, blood flow is impaired.
- Any stress- fright or some kind of emotional shock can provoke an unfavorable vascular reaction and loss of consciousness.
- Poisoning- drugs or poisons / toxins.
Internal (associated with pathologies of internal organs or systems):
- Shock states- pain, dehydration, extensive blood loss, single head injuries or polytrauma, etc.
- Hypoglycemia or a sharp drop in blood sugar. It is often observed in starving and dehydrated individuals, as well as in those who have problems with the functioning of the liver and pancreas.
- Any pathology of the respiratory system, against the background of which respiratory failure develops (severe and / or chronic, chronic pneumonia, bronchitis, chest trauma, pulmonary edema, etc.).
- Emaciated dogs, especially the elderly.
- Pathology of the course of pregnancy when the volume of blood and circulating oxygen is not enough for everyone - for puppies and for a pregnant bitch.
- Any diseases of the cardiovascular system... The most common and most dangerous reason why a dog loses consciousness. Especially when any excessive physical activity is performed with cardiac pathologies. Any irregularities in the work of the heart can provoke fainting.
- Situational syncope associated with irritation of the vagus nerve - for example, painful urination or bowel movements, vomiting, prolonged cough, etc.
- Vascular spasm, provoked by a sharp change in the position of the body in space(is called "vasovagal syncope" and is very rare in dogs).
- Ischemic diseases(heart attacks, hemorrhages) cerebral vessels (rare).
- Epilepsy / status epilepticus.
Syncope specialists are globally divided into cerebral and cardiovascular. The former appear against the background of any abnormalities in the brain, the latter against the background of cardiac pathologies.
What happens to a dog when it faints
The animal may lose consciousness suddenly, or after a series of previous symptoms, against the background of a deterioration in general health.
If the fainting is sudden (everything happens very quickly):
- the dog is in one position;
- there is no reaction to the owner and to what is happening around, the pet does not respond to the nickname;
- pupils are dilated, do not react to light;
- eyes roll;
- the muscles of the neck relax (stiffness) and the head seems to fall down;
- the dog loses consciousness and falls on its side or stomach, the body is relaxed, there is no muscle tone;
- the body temperature drops sharply (this can be understood by the cold extremities);
- occasionally, involuntary urination and / or bowel movements may occur.
Signs of a deteriorating health condition before a spontaneous fainting spell:
- nausea with profuse drooling and sudden vomiting, not associated with food intake;
- lethargy, weakness, apathy;
- breathing is frequent, shallow (not deep);
- pallor of the mucous membranes;
- staggering, further falling on the side or on the stomach.
Important: do not confuse loss of consciousness with a breakdown! With general weakness, the dog retains a reaction to external environmental stimuli, but it is slightly inhibited. The pet also reacts to its nickname, but due to the loss of strength it is physically limited in movement.
Often the animal wakes up after losing consciousness on its own, after just a few minutes.
What the owner should do
The most important thing is that it is strictly forbidden to give anything from medications! There are a lot of reasons for syncope and in each case the help will be individual. The owner's task is to immediately call the veterinarian at home or wait for the dog to come to his senses and carefully deliver it to the veterinary clinic on his own.
What you need to do right away:
- Free the pet from all leashes, collars, harnesses, muzzles.
- Transfer to a cool place if heatstroke is suspected, and to a warm room if hypothermia.
- Lay on a flat surface with your head slightly lower than body level to ensure blood flow to the brain. You can apply a cool compress to your forehead.
- Make sure that there are no obstacles to the flow of air into the respiratory tract.
- Check for pulse and breathing. If neither one nor the other is felt, and there are no skills to provide resuscitation measures, you should urgently call a veterinarian!
- If there is a pulse and the dog is breathing, you should try to remember the breathing pattern (often / rarely, deeply / shallowly) and the heart rate (fast / slow, whether there are irregularities in the rhythm). This is very useful information for a veterinary specialist, who will be one of the first to access the animal for first aid or examination after.
- Count the time during which the animal was unconscious. The duration will also need to be reported to the veterinarian.
- When the dog regains consciousness, give it cool, slightly sweet water. It is forbidden to do this when the pet is fainting and cannot swallow!
- If this is not the first time that fainting occurs, you can try to film the episode of loss of consciousness with your phone camera, so that you can then show it to the veterinarian.
Veterinarian actions
The veterinarian at the time of admission of a patient with fainting immediately examines him and takes measurements of all vital indicators of the heart and respiratory system. If the dog was brought in already conscious, then initially a detailed survey of the owner is conducted about what happened, then an examination is carried out.
The main groups of drugs required for loss of consciousness in a dog:
- anti-shock;
- supporting the work of the heart;
- stimulating the respiratory function of the lungs to enhance their ventilation;
- glucose-containing infusion solutions.
There is no diagnosis of fainting / syncope! This is always a consequence of some pathology of the brain, heart or other internal organs. Symptom. And for an accurate diagnosis, a number of additional examinations should be carried out.
The list of necessary examinations is made by the veterinarian after examining the patient and taking a thorough history. The specialist is guided by the direct need and capabilities of the clinic.