Dogs can at one fallone collision with a conspecific or with another application of force one on the head concussion suffer.
The dog may appear fit at first while the symptoms are slowly developing.
How to recognize a concussion in your dog and how you First aid do? You will find out in the following guide.
Symptoms – How do I recognize a concussion in a dog?
The symptoms get a concussion often time-delayed and slowly increase in strength.
The dog should be observed for several days after a severe headbutt.
The following symptoms can indicate a concussion in your dog:
Important!
Symptoms can develop with a time delay!
Dogs generally have one strong skullcapwhich protects them from impact injuries.
However, it is not uncommon for a dog to suffer a concussion. If you noticed that your dog bumped into itself or hit his head against something watch him.
Will your dog after a head injury unconsciousit is one acute emergency and he needs immediate veterinary care!
Dog concussion first aid
It often happens that dogs after an accident with a concussion as a result appear lively and healthy at first.
Still, you should signs watch out for a concussion. One of the clearest symptoms of a traumatic brain injury is the change in the pupils. In a healthy dog, the pupils dilate as the light levels get darker.
Many dogs with a concussion vary also easy or have balance problems.
If you suspect your dog has a concussion, keep calm and call your dog to give notice vet at. A concussion should always be treated by a competent veterinarian.
Try, stress for you and especially for your dog avoid. To calm him down, you can wrap him in a warm blanket.
take care of yours self protection. Dogs that are stressed or in pain may bite.
To improve blood flow to your dog’s brain, you can remove his collar and possibly the flea collar.
My tip: don’t leave your dog unsecured
Dogs that are in pain or even in shock can react erratically. It is best to secure your dog with a harness. Otherwise, he can run away with the situation out of sheer panic and overwhelm.
transport
Try one if possible 2nd person to find which drives you to your vet. In an emergency, you can also take a taxi. So you can fully concentrate on your dog.
During the entire transport the dog should be like this minor vibrations be exposed as possible. A wooden board works well as an emergency stretcher.
Make sure the Head of the dog higher lies than the rest of his body.
A Pillow under the Head helps your dog and supports him while driving.
Because the head is higher than the rest of the body, the pressure in the head is reduced and a Worsening of the concussion can be prevented.
Will your dog while driving unconscious, leave him in this position. It is important that you open his mouth and gently pull his tongue down and forward.
This allows your dog to breathe freely, even if he is momentarily unconscious.
Diagnosis & treatment at the vet
By describing how the accident happened, the vet can get a good picture of it extent of the event and, if necessary, a craniocerebral trauma in advance exclude.
The vet uses a flashlight to guide the pupil test through. The veterinarian can use the reaction time of your dog’s pupils to determine if he has a concussion. Furthermore, the vitals checked.
To accurately diagnose the severity of the head injury, a X-ray examination to be necessary. The X-rays show whether there was another concussion in addition to the concussion skull fracture present.
Your vet may keep your dog at the clinic overnight for a check-up.
So can with one rapid deterioration of the state of health quickly and competently the necessary Help be guaranteed and you have the certainty that your dog in good hands located.
A concussion, what recognized quickly and treated is without consequential damage for your dog.
One full recovery after a concussion can be up to 6 months duration, but varies from case to case.
Your vet will discuss this with you in detail.
Avoid concussion
Since dogs often furious and fast are on the move, concussions are not uncommon.
However, they can often be avoided.
A traumatic brain injury does not result from a light slap on the dog’s head, but from one massive collision or through falls from great heights.
concussions avoid can you, not your dog. Make sure there are no dog fights.
Don’t let him explore anywhere out of sight on his own, and don’t let him climb unsecured on any tall obstacles where he could fall.
Puppies, young dogs, and smaller dog breeds are more prone to concussion.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a human or a dog: A concussion is very painful, requires urgent medical treatment and, depending on the severity of the craniocerebral trauma, it also takes a relatively long time to heal.
If you suspect your dog has a concussion, you should always consult a veterinarian.
Often, giving your dog a concussion can be avoided. It really is better to be safe than sorry in this case.
Has your dog already had a concussion? how did you react Feel free to leave us a comment and share your knowledge with the other readers.