Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVAs)

What are the signs of a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)?  A CVA is very much like a stroke and it is also reminiscent of Vestibular Disease the difference being a CVA will generally not have nausea attached and will take a longer recovery time. Signs of strokes in dogs are different to the signs in humans. In humans a drooping face or partial paralysis of one side of the body are common signs. Such signs are rarely associated with strokes in dogs.

In the case of a CVA the dog generally appears mildly drunk and uncoordinated. They may circle and fall down. They may loose the function of their rear or front legs generally the other set of legs is affected later so they dog is completely unable to get up. In Basenjis these symptoms seem to me much worse than with other breeds. They might look severely drunk, like a new born Bambi with a head injury. They are prone to knuckle over and fall down regularly. As Dr Aine Seavers writes 'they truly look horrendous'. Dr Seavers is concerned that Basenjis showing these signs may be put to sleep, when normally even the most horrendous cases will fully recover given the right medication and time.

The other thing to note is that unlike other breeds, elderly Basenjis can have more than one episode. The CVA's usually occur either around Easter as they strut their old bodies like they are 2 years old. They are not 2 years old, so they have an episode or if the weather suddenly turns cold or there is an extended cold period. They recover and the newer medications we have make them more comfortable and appear to return to normal faster as well. Unlike with a stoke a second episode doesn't mean anything. Often a dog will go many months to several years without further episode. If however if you get multiple episodes in a short space of time then that case needs to be looked at differently.

I think my dog has had a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) what can I do?

Firstly take your dogs to your vet. Once diagnosed your vet will give you some medication. Be sure to advise your vet that Basenjis often look really bad when having a CVA - Dr Aine Seavers advises that the vet should not euthanise a Basenji with this condition because given time and medication (if required) they normally recover very well.

It may be worth explaining to the vet that Dr Aine Seavers has treated a number of Basenjis when in practice in NSW. She explains that her go to medications are Cerenia with is an anti-nausea drug. This family of drugs helps with cranial disease, cranial trauma and infection Aine uses Cerenia as a multipurpose medication.  Vivitonin is another go-to medication for Dr Seavers - this drug stabilises platelets and improves blood supply. Some vets will also use the Epley manoeuvre which helps some dogs.

Dr Seavers also suggests that a class 4 laser - if any vets in the area have one. She says that the most recent work out is that is has efficacy on vestibular disease and some intracranial issues. "I would wait 48hrs to do this - and have the dog on vivitonin for at least those 48hours before I tried that" she says.

In addition to the medications prescribed by your vet there are a few other things that you can do to assist your dogs speedy recovery:

• Place the dog in a room with a comfortable temperature, i.e. not too hot or too cold;
• Crate the dog if possible so the dog can't do more damage by wandering off when so dizzy;
• Keep lights dim and minimal stimulation re noise etc.;
• Avoid extremes of temperature;
• Syringe teaspoons of water into mouth every 2-3 hrs first day – don't worry too much about them eating for the first 24-48hrs but on the second day you can try them with food;
• Avoid any fatty or high meat diet meals for a while;
• If the dog has lost the use of its front or rear legs (or both) you will need to take the dog to the toilet. A Balto body lift will assist owners with taking the dog outside. This device can also be used to keep the dogs legs moving even if he is not putting any weight on them.
• Vegies and some boiled chicken or white fish usually the second day. Serve in small balls handed to the dog for a few days as eyes moving so fast and the dog so dizzy that they can't work out how to get the head in the bowl and pick up the food.

Recovery time - please note:: it can take 4 days for a dog to begin to improve. They are normally back to normal by about day 10. However, owners need to fully aware that depending on the overall health of the Basenji, some Basenjis with this condition can take up to 4-6 weeks for the Basenji to be back on its feet and this may only be for a few seconds. Once the dog is up on its feet the return to normal function will quicken as the dogs muscles rebuild.