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When considering the numerous health problems that can affect your dog, it is most important to remember the problems that require urgent care. Brain injuries are one such example. What causes brain trauma in dogs? What are some of the signs of brain trauma, and what can you expect when you bring your pup to see his vet?
Brain injuries can be broken down into two categories. Primary brain injuries occur when there is a direct injury or problem with the brain. Secondary brain injuries occur as a result of a primary injury. Hemorrhaging and swelling are examples of secondary injuries while blunt force head trauma is an example of a primary brain injury.
The most common type of primary brain injury that emergency veterinarians might see is a patient who has been hit by a car. The force from this kind of injury can cause concussions or even contusions on the brain. In some cases, blood vessels around the brain can start to bleed, and soft tissues can begin to swell. Bleeding and swelling will increase pressure inside of the skull and results in severe clinical signs such as seizures. If your dog has been hit by a car or has experienced any other type of head trauma, he needs to get to his emergency vet right away!
Too much or too little minerals and nutrients can also cause brain injuries. For example, very small young puppies run the risk of having unsafe drops in blood glucose when they don’t eat, and the brain uses up about half of your pup’s energy stores. Without enough glucose in the body, the brain cannot function, and this can result in severe depression, seizure activity, and death. Another important nutrient, sodium, can cause brain swelling and seizures if there is too much of it in your dog’s bloodstream. This kind of brain injury is commonly seen after a dog has been to the beach and ingested too much saltwater.
Anything that alters blood flow to the brain can result in a brain injury. Blood is comprised of red blood cells which are oxygen carriers. When the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen, it can become irreversibly damaged. Blood clots to the brain can obstruct blood flow, and chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure can reduce blood flow to the brain. In the case of bleeding disorders like hemophilia, blood can still flow but the risk of bleeding into the brain becomes increased.
Like in humans, dogs have very tight junctions between cells that line the inside of the blood vessels in the brain. This is called the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and it is responsible for filtering things like toxins and bacteria away from the brain. In some cases, like with viral infections such as West Nile Virus, things can pass the BBB and cause infection and swelling. Prolonged fever (and prolonged hypothermia) can also cause brain injuries.
Dogs can also have problems with their blood-brain barrier directly. Collies and Australian Shepherds are at a higher risk of having a genetic mutation that affects their MDR1 gene. This is known as the multi-drug resistance gene, and when this gene is mutated, it deletes certain parts of the genetic code that are important to have a functioning BBB. This means that medications generally safe for other dogs like ivermectin, loperamide, and sedatives can cause significant neurologic problems in dogs with the MDR1 gene mutation.
Certain toxins are also known to cause brain injuries. Some can cause direct brain injuries while others can contribute to conditions that result in secondary brain injuries. For example, xylitol is a compound that is found in products like sugar-free gum. If a dog is exposed to xylitol, it can result in severe drops in blood glucose. Without supportive care, severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures and brain damage.
Dogs with brain injuries may show changes in their personality or attitude. They can seem lethargic and may not want to walk. If they do, they may stumble as they walk and appear dizzy. Some may circle in place or seem very disoriented.
With trauma cases, you may notice signs of external injury or bleed around the head and from the nose or ears. In some cases, a dog’s pupils may appear to be different sizes. This is calledanisocoria. And in severe brain injury cases, seizures may occur.
Your vet may suspect that your dog has experienced a brain injury based on the clinical signs above. Obtaining an accurate medical history is important, so be sure to report if your dog has experienced a traumatic brain injury or if he could have ingested anything that he shouldn’t have. Hypoglycemia is almost always suspected in a very small young puppy, and so your vet may recommend checking blood work to rule out problems with blood glucose. For all dogs, blood work can also help to rule out exposure to toxins or signs of organ failure.
For internal bleeding and swelling, your vet may need to send you to a specialty hospital for more advanced imaging such as CT or MRI. This is because x-rays, while useful for ruling out skull fractures, are not able to visualize the brain because the skull is in the way.
Treatment for brain injuries will be based on the suspected cause. Dogs with brain trauma will likely need hospitalization and supportive care. Diuretics like mannitol can help to relieve brain swelling due to trauma or high sodium levels in the bloodstream. Anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids are contraindicated in these cases, but pain can be safely mitigated with other medications. If your dog is having tremors or seizures, medications can be administered intravenously to help with this. In severe cases where seizures are constantly occurring, an induced coma may be necessary until the cause of the seizures has been identified and treated.
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Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, but regardless of severity, it is important to have your pup evaluated by his veterinarian right away. If your vet is unavailable, this means you will need to contact your nearest emergency vet. Without immediately addressing your dog’s clinical signs, primary and secondary brain injuries can cause irreversible damage or can even be fatal. Quick action can make a huge difference in your canine companion’s recovery!
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Meet The Author
Dr. Erica Irish
Erica has worked in the veterinary field since 2006, starting out as a veterinary technician before graduating from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. As a general practitioner in an animal hospital, she has many interests and is especially interested in dermatology, cardiology, internal and integrative medicine.
