Dog Showing Signs of a Stroke? Seek 24/7 Emergency Vet Care Immediately

If your dog suddenly loses balance, develops a head tilt, or collapses, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

These signs may indicate a stroke or another neurological emergency that requires immediate care.

Only a veterinarian can determine the underlying cause, so do not wait to see if the symptoms improve.

Getting your dog to an emergency veterinarian as quickly as possible gives them the best chance of a successful recovery.

CASE Animal Hospital provides 24/7 emergency care for dogs with suspected strokes and other neurological emergencies in Anaheim.

Our emergency team is ready to care for your dog as soon as you arrive, and no appointment is required.

What Should You Do If You Think Your Dog Is Having a Stroke?

While arranging emergency veterinary care, follow these steps to protect your dog until you arrive at the hospital.

These recommendations are only intended to keep your dog safe until our emergency team can examine them.

① Head to CASE Animal Hospital Immediately

Do not wait to see if your dog’s symptoms improve. If you suspect your dog is having a stroke or another neurological emergency, head to CASE Animal Hospital immediately.

② Call Us on Your Way (If Possible)

If possible, call CASE Animal Hospital while you’re on your way so our emergency team can prepare for your arrival. If you cannot call safely, come directly to the hospital without delaying treatment.

③ Keep Your Dog Calm and Prevent Falls

Keep your dog as quiet as possible and away from stairs, furniture, or other hazards. Support them gently if they are unsteady.

④ Transport Your Dog Carefully

If your dog cannot walk, carefully lift and support them with a large towel, blanket, or sturdy board to help keep their spine as straight as possible during transport.

📋 Before You Arrive (If Possible)

If you know the answers, be ready for questions such as:

• When did the symptoms begin?

• How have the symptoms changed?

• Is your dog taking any medications?

• Has your dog had seizures before?

• Has your dog experienced recent trauma or possible toxin exposure?

If you don’t know the answers, don’t delay your trip to the hospital. Bring your dog in immediately.

What Not to Do During a Dog Stroke

When your dog is showing possible stroke symptoms, avoid these common mistakes that could delay treatment or worsen their condition:

❌ Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.

❌ Do not force your dog to stand or walk.

❌ Do not offer food or water (choking risk).

❌ Do not give any human medications.

❌ Do not attempt home remedies.

Stroke symptoms require immediate action. Bring your dog to CASE Animal Hospital right away for life-saving emergency care.

Call Us Now

657-999-1150

Visit Our Hospital

1400 N Burton Place
Anaheim, CA 92806

Signs Your Dog May Be Having a Stroke

If your dog suddenly develops any of the following signs, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. While these symptoms may be caused by a stroke, they can also indicate another life threatening neurological emergency.

  • Loss of balance or staggering

  • Walking in circles

  • Sudden weakness

  • Dragging one or more legs, usually on one side

  • Complete inability to stand

  • Severe head tilt

  • Rapid side to side eye movements (nystagmus)

  • Unequal pupil sizes

  • Facial drooping on one side

  • Sudden confusion or disorientation

  • Collapse

  • Loss of consciousness

⚠️ Important

These signs do not always mean your dog has had a stroke. Similar symptoms can also be caused by:

✓ Vestibular disease

✓ Seizures

✓ Toxin exposure

✓ Low blood sugar

✓ Brain disease or inflammation

Although these conditions can produce nearly identical neurological signs, the underlying cause cannot be determined based on symptoms alone.

Your dog should be examined by an emergency veterinarian immediately so the correct diagnosis and treatment can begin as quickly as possible.

What Happens When You Arrive at the Emergency Vet

Once you arrive, our emergency team will begin caring for your dog immediately. Our first priority is to assess your dog’s condition, stabilize any life-threatening problems, and begin determining the underlying cause of their neurological signs as quickly as possible.

Our emergency team will quickly assess your dog’s:

✓ Airway, breathing, and circulation

✓ Neurological status

✓ Level of consciousness

✓ Blood pressure

✓ Blood glucose

✓ Body temperature

If your dog is unstable, treatment will focus on stabilizing their condition before additional testing. Depending on your dog’s condition, stabilization may include:

✓ Oxygen therapy

✓ IV catheter placement and fluids

✓ Blood pressure support

✓ Anti seizure medication, if needed

✓ Pain management

✓ Continuous monitoring

Once your dog is stable, we’ll ask when the symptoms started, review your dog’s medical history, current medications, and any possible toxin exposure.

This information helps our emergency team select the most appropriate diagnostic tests and begin planning treatment.

Your veterinarian may then recommend tests to identify the underlying cause of your dog’s neurological signs.

These may include:

✓ Bloodwork

✓ Blood pressure measurement

✓ Neurological examination

✓ X rays, if indicated

✓ CT scan or MRI, if appropriate

✓ ECG and oxygen monitoring

Because several conditions can mimic a stroke, treatment is based on your dog’s diagnosis rather than symptoms alone.

Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, our emergency team will begin the most appropriate treatment for your dog’s condition.

Not every dog needs to stay in the hospital after emergency treatment. Dogs with severe neurological signs or unstable conditions may require hospitalization for ongoing supportive care.

During their hospital stay, our team will closely monitor your dog’s neurological status and overall condition, adjusting treatment as needed.

Depending on your dog’s condition, monitoring may include:

✓ Continuous neurological assessments

✓ Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring

✓ Oxygen monitoring

✓ Seizure monitoring and control

✓ IV fluid therapy and supportive care

Why Choose CASE Animal Hospital

CASE Animal Hospital provides 24/7 emergency, critical, and specialty veterinary care under one roof in Anaheim, our team eliminating delays caused by transfers between hospitals.

Our emergency veterinarians and board-certified specialists provide rapid diagnosis, advanced imaging, emergency treatment, and intensive monitoring for dogs with suspected strokes and other neurological emergencies.

Contact Our Emergency Team

📞 (657) 999-1150

📍 1400 N Burton Pl, Anaheim, CA 92806

🕒 Open 24 Hours

✅ Walk-In Emergencies Welcome

Meet Our Emergency Staff

Dr. Sam Rafia, DVM - CASE Animal Hospital in Anaheim

Dr. Sam
Rafia

DVM, DVSC, ECFVG
Dr. Ali Haghnazary, DVM - CASE Animal Hospital in Anaheim

Dr. Ali
Haghnazary

DVM
Dr. Esther Yang, DVM - CASE Animal Hospital in Anaheim

Dr. Esther
Yang

DVM
Dr Cristina Winslow, DVM

Dr. Cristina
Winslow

DVM
Dr Cristina Guijon DVM

Dr. Cristina
Guijon

DVM
Dr Kyla Arreola DVM

Dr. Kyla
Arreola

DVM
Emergency Care

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions, or wish to speak with someone, please contact our office today.

Yes. Some dogs recover well with prompt treatment, but the outcome depends on the underlying cause and how quickly emergency care begins.

Not always. Your veterinarian will recommend a CT scan or MRI only if advanced imaging is needed to identify the underlying cause of your dog’s neurological signs.

Recovery time varies depending on the underlying condition and your dog’s response to treatment. Some dogs recover within days, while others may require weeks of ongoing care.

Yes. Seizures can cause sudden neurological signs that closely resemble a stroke. An emergency veterinarian can determine the underlying cause through an examination and diagnostic testing.

Costs depend entirely on your pet’s specific needs, from basic triage to ICU support. We provide a transparent estimate before any major procedure and partner with CareCredit, Scratchpay, and Cherry for flexible financing.

Dogs and Cats Helped

89,626

Immediate Emergency And Specialty Veterinary Care

Walk in 24/7 or Call 657-999-1150 Now

CASE Animal Hospital

1400 N Burton Pl
Anaheim, CA 92806
657-999-1150

Office Hours

Monday through Sunday
Open 24 Hours a Day