DTP Vaccine and Mortality

Early diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination associated with higher female mortality and no difference in male mortality in a cohort of low birthweight children: an observational study within a randomised trial
(13 Feb 2012)Arch Dis Child doi:10.1136/archdischild-2011-300646

open access

Background: Studies from low-income countries have suggested that diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine provided after Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination may have a negative effect on female survival. The authors examined the effect of DTP in a cohort of low birthweight (LBW) infants.

Methods: 2320 LBW newborns were visited at 2, 6 and 12 months of age to assess nutritional and vaccination status. The authors examined survival until the 6-month visit for children who were DTP vaccinated and DTP unvaccinated at the 2-month visit.

Results: Two-thirds of the children had received DTP at 2 months and 50 deaths occurred between the 2-month and 6-month visits. DTP vaccinated children had a better anthropometric status for all indices than DTP unvaccinated children. Small mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was the strongest predictor of mortality. The death rate ratio (DRR) for DTP vaccinated versus DTP unvaccinated children differed significantly for girls (DRR 2.45; 95% CI 0.93 to 6.45) and boys (DRR 0.53; 95% CI 0.23 to 1.20) (p=0.018, homogeneity test). Adjusting for MUAC, the overall effect for DTP vaccinated children was 2.62 (95% CI 1.34 to 5.09); DRR was 5.68 (95% CI 1.83 to 17.7) for girls and 1.29 (95% CI 0.56 to 2.97) for boys (p=0.023, homogeneity test). While anthropometric indices were a strong predictor of mortality among boys, there was little or no association for girls.

Conclusion: Surprisingly, even though the children with the best nutritional status were vaccinated early, early DTP vaccination was associated with increased mortality for girls.

HBOT and Breast Cancer

James Slaby, MD, discusses hyperbaric oxygen therapy's (HBO's) effect on breast cancer cells.

Photo: James Slaby, MD

The total metastatic load in the lung is reduced after HBO --— that’s one of the most significant new findings from a 2007 study. Despite the misconception that HBO could actually have cancer-enhancing effect, HBO is frequently administered to cancer patients.

In the 2007 study, Haroon, Patel, and Al-Mehdi decided to evaluate the growth of murine breast cancer cells in the lung after hyperbaric oxygen treatment in an experimental metastasis assay. To do this, young nu/nu mice were injected intravenously with 3x 10(3) 4T1-GFP tumor cells per g body weight followed by lung isolation, perfusion, and intact organ epifluorescence microscopy 1 to 37 days after injection. A group of animals (n=32) was exposed once daily for five days a week to 45 minutes of 2.8 ATA hyperbaric oxygen in a research animal chamber.

Control animals (n=31) were not subjected to HBO, but received similar intravenous administration of 3x 10(3) 4T 1- GFP tumor cells. Single tumor cells and colonies were counted in the subpleural vessels in areas of about 0.5 cm2 of lung surface [Haroon et al]. What Haroon et al found was that HBO treatment did not lead to an increase in the number of the large colonies or small colonies in the lungs. Instead, there was a significant reduction in the number of the large colonies when observed at varying periods of the time after hyperbaric treatment.

Most importantly, there was a significant decrease in large colony size in the HBO group during all periods of observation. The results indicate that HBO is not prometastatic for breast cancer cells, but, instead restricts the growth of large tumor cell colonies [Haroon et al]. One of the most significant new findings from the study was that the total metastic load (the combined mass of large colonies, small colonies, and the single cell colonies in the target organ) in the lung is reduced after HBO. What’s more, HBO treatment did not lead to an increase in the combined number of metastic foci in the lung. The load reduction was accomplished because the size of the colonies was limited states Haroon et al.

Studies reveal that there is no adverse effect of HBO on tumor growth. In fact, the research suggests that HBO may have an anti-cancer effect with breast cancer cells. Use of HBO in human breast cancer patients did not have any adverse effects in a recent long-term follow up study and is even considered for treating lymphedema associated with breast cancer surgery.

These findings represent good news for patients that have cancer and other issues that would benefit from HBO therapy. In the past we were hesitant to use HBO on patients with cancer for fear of encouraging tumor growth. Now, for example, a patient with breast cancer that needed radiation therapy and developed soft tissues radiation neurosis would benefit from HBO therapy. As a result, her healing ability after breast reconstruction would improve.

Dr. James Slaby is a plastic surgeon specializing in wound care and a panel physician at the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Oxygen Center at Wooster Community Hospital.

Horses and HBOT

Equine Vet J. 2012 Feb 15. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00536.x. [Epub ahead of print]

(photo from http://www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com)

Equine peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Isolation, identification, trilineage differentiation and effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Dhar M, Neilsen N, Beatty K, Eaker S, Adair H, Geiser D.

Source

Departments of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA GE Healthcare Cell Therapy Division, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.

Abstract
Reasons for performing study: Two studies report variability in proliferation and limited adipocyte differentiation of equine peripheral blood-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells, thus casting doubt on their adipogenic potential. Peripheral blood can be a valuable source of adult mesenchymal stem cells if cell culture conditions permissive for their adherence, proliferation and differentiation are defined. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been reported to mobilise haematopoietic progenitor stem cells into the peripheral blood in humans and mice, but similar experiments have not been done in horses. Objectives: To optimise cell culture conditions for isolation, propagation and differentiation of adult stem cells from peripheral blood and to assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on adult stem cell concentrations. Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from the jugular vein of 6 research mares, and mononuclear cells were isolated. They were subjected to cell culture conditions that promote the adherence and proliferation of adult stem cells. The cells were characterised by their adherence, expression of cellular antigen markers, and trans-differentiation. Each horse was subjected to 3 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, and stem cells were compared before and after treatments. Stem cells derived from adipose tissue were used as controls. Results: One-third of the horses yielded viable stem cells from peripheral blood, positive for CD51, CD90 and CD105, and demonstrated osteocyte, chondrocyte and adipocyte differentiation. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment resulted in a significant increase in CD90-positive cells. Horses that did not yield any cells pretreatment did so only after 3 hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Conclusions and potential relevance: Peripheral blood can be a valuable source of adult stem cells, if one can identify reliable equine-specific markers, provide methods to increase the number of circulating progenitor cells and optimise cell culture conditions for growth and viability. Our findings are important for further studies towards technological advances in basic and clinical equine regenerative medicine.

Wounded Troops and HBOT, news articles

Wounded Troops and HBOT, news articles

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE AND READ.

“AMERICA’S VETERANS HAVE EARNED MORE THAN OUR GRATITUDE!”

“AMERICA’S VETERANS HAVE EARNED MORE THAN OUR GRATITUDE!”

December 15, 2011

By Becky Murphy

It was recently announced that returning Veterans will no longer need to document the specific event which traumatized them, and caused them to experience symptoms of PTSD. This is definitely a start in the right direction to helping returning troops in adjusting to returning Stateside. Eliminating some of the red tape they have to deal with will be a welcome relief; and will enable veterans to focus on their health, and their families. It will hopefully enable them to quickly access whatever help they need to recover from their injuries. Trauma induced injuries are a natural response to traumatic experiences; which can have a devastating impact on a person’s overall health long-term, if not swiftly and effectively treated. PTSD is a never a sign of weakness; it is simply evidence of one’s humanity—like bleeding when cut open.

I have had a link to the International Hyperbaric Medical Association for quite some time in the Veterans section here on Involuntary Transformation, this type of treatment is known to assist in the recovery from PTSD and TBI which are extremely devastating injuries and more unfortunately, common injuries inflicted upon soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. I urge you to check out this site; on the main page there is a link to send and email to your State Senator and State Representatives asking that they support this legislation. I pray you will find this cause worthy of your support. Let’s give our returning Veterans a fighting chance for a full recovery from the invisible injuries of TBI and PTSD! These injuries are devastating and can prevent their successful return to civilian life; or a continued career serving in the United States Military.

AMERICA’S VETERANS HAVE EARNED MORE THAN OUR GRATITUDE!

an excerpt:

“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been requested for veterans by Commanders and Veterans Service organizations alike. General Conway, when Commandant of the Marine Corps, reported to the House Armed Services Committee about sending some of his most injured Marines to Dr. Harch in New Orleans to receive Hyperbaric treatment. General Chandler, as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force requested Chairman Levin provide hyperbaric treatments to his Airmen in the SASC hearing on Suicide in 2010, and Chairman Levin agreed. The American Legion asked for this treatment in their Senate testimony last year. The TBI Treatment Act is the only provision in the Senate Armed Services bill that will permit the Chairman to keep his pledge to General Chandler, and does so in real time.”

via Alliance for Natural Health:

New Study Reaffirms: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Should Be Standard Treatment for Veterans

December 6, 2011 Research from health pioneer (and former ANH-USA board member) Dr. Paul G. Harch published in the Journal of Neurotrauma indicates that hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, is able to dramatically help veterans with post-concussion syndrome (a form of traumatic brain injury) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Harch is an associate clinical professor of medicine at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. Since January 2007, ANH-USA has been bringing attention to a project to have veterans treated with HBOT.

In HBOT, the patient is put in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which saturates the tissues with twelve times more oxygen than can be absorbed by breathing. This greatly enhances the body’s own healing process. Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all of the body’s fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone, and can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked.

In this way, extra oxygen can reach all of the damaged tissues and the body can support its own healing process. The increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria, reduces swelling, and allows new blood vessels to grow more rapidly into the affected areas. It is a simple, non-invasive, and painless treatment. According to Dr. Harch’s new study, even three years after the vets sustained brain injury, one month of HBOT was able to induce improvements in brain blood flow, cognition, symptoms, and quality of life, while the veterans experienced fewer suicidal thoughts. Specifically, improvements were seen in 92% of vets experiencing short-term memory problems, 87% of those complaining of headaches, 93% of those with cognitive deficits, 75% with sleep disruption, and 93% with depression.

There were also improvements in irritability, mood swings, impulsivity, balance, motor function, IQ, and blood flow in the brain, as well as the reduction in PTSD symptoms and suicidal thoughts. And there was a reduction in—or complete elimination of—psychoactive and narcotic prescription medication usage in 64% of those previously prescribed the medication. One major problem is that the HBOT treatment is currently “off-label.”

In other words, it is an FDA-approved treatment for some conditions—but not for traumatic brain injury (TBI) or PTSD. Because of this, the Department of Defense does not allow HBOT to be prescribed for its veterans—they say they don’t prescribe off-label medications and treatments for these diagnoses, and claim that they can only use HBOT after it has been approved by the FDA for this use. This is a completely false and misleading statement! The Department of Defense often uses off-label antipsychotic drugs for treatment of TBI and PTSD. This should not surprise us.

The FDA receives a large proportion of its budget from pharmaceutical manufacturers. And the government turns to drugs, often very inappropriate and damaging drugs, to treat damaged veterans without even considering alternatives. Nearly 280,000 individuals received antipsychotic medication in 2007. Yet over 60% of them had no record of a diagnosis for which these drugs are approved. Antipsychotic drugs were prescribed off-label for PTSD (42% of the patients), minor depression (40%), major depression (23%), and anxiety disorder (20%)—with about 20% having more than one condition.

About 20% of veterans diagnosed with PTSD—or nearly 87,000 patients—are prescribed an antipsychotic each year even though it is an off-label use. TBI and PTSD severely and disproportionally affect military who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan—approximately 546,000 have TBI, post-concussion syndrome (PCS), and PTSD, and yet their treatment options are limited. HBOT is an effective and economical treatment for PCS and PTSD, without the very dangerous and negative side effects of antipsychotic medication. The off-label use of HBOT is a huge freedom of choice issue in medicine. But even more important, if we really want to support our troops rather than just pay lip service, don’t we need to give them the safest, most economical, and most effective treatment for their traumatic brain injuries and PTSD? photo credit

WHAT WE TREAT

The content and information provided within this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Consult a doctor before pursuing any form of therapy, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The Information provided within this site is not to be considered Medical Advice. In Full Support of the F.D.A., Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is considered Investigational, Experimental, or Off Label. Please consult with your Treating Medical Physician

Who do we treat?
Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics treats all ages, infants to the elderly. Our clients have come from all over the world to be treated at our facility. We believe that everyone should have access to safe, Gentle, Private, and Productive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

What Conditions do we treat?
At Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics we treat many different types of health conditions. Any condition that benefits from increased circulation / oxygen can benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Many are listed below in alphabetical order. Please contact our office if you do not see your condition listed.
Studies indicate that following Conditions may greatly benefit include (but are not limited to):

Acute acoustic Trauma (Tinnitus)

Acute and Chronic Anemia

Anti-Aging

Aid to cardiac surgery and rehabilitation

Aid to prosthesis rehabilitative care

AIDS

Air or gas embolism

Autism

Autistic spectrum disorders

Auto- immune disorders ( SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anoxic and Hypoxic brain disorders

Aneurysms

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Alzheimer's Disease

Bell's Palsy (Facial Palsy)

Bone Grafts

Brain Injury / Closed Head Injury

Burns

Candida and fungal infections (yeast infections)

Carbon monoxide poisoning and CO poisoning complicated by cyanide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning and CO poisoning complicated by cyanide poisoning

Cerebral edema

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral Palsy

Chemical Poisoning/ Pesticide

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Closed Head Injury

Clostridal myositis and myonecrosis, (gas gangrene)

Colitis

Crohn’s Disease

Crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemias.

Decompression sickness

Diabetics disorders ( circulatory, nerve and wounds)

Degenerative Joint disease

Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis)

Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis)

Diabetes

Enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds

Epilepsy seizures

Exceptional blood loss (anemia)

Fractures (Non healing and non union)

Fibromyalgia

Flesh eating bacteria

Fracture repair, delayed and non-union

Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers

General Health

Guillain-Barre syndrome

Headaches, Cluster

Health Enhancement and Prevention

Heart attack, Myocardial ischemia

Hypoxic birth disorders

Inflammatory arthritis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)

Intracranial abscess, actinomycosis

Liver disorders ( Hepatic)

Lupus

Lyme Disease and co-infections

Macular degeneration

Retinitis Pigmentosa *

Memory Loss

Mercury Poisoning

Migraine and Cluster headaches

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis

Mycoplasma

Near drowning

Near hanging

Near-drown

Necrotizing soft tissue infections

Neurovascular compression

Non- healing post surgery, reconstruction and cosmetic surgery

Non-healing wounds

Neurological disorders

Optical And Eyesight Macular degeneration

Osteoporosis

Parkinson’s disease

Peripheral nerve injury and neuropathies, demyelization

Post surgical instability

Post surgical soft tissue infections

Pre and Post Surgery healing, reconstruction and cosmetic surgery

Radiation Necrosis ( soft tissue, brain or bone)

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) CRPS Complex Pain Syndrome

Refractory osteomyelitis (Infected bone)

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ringing in the ears

Sacroiliac Syndrome

Scleroderma

Silicone induced disorders

Skin grafts and flaps (compromised)

Spider bite

Spinal Cord injury

Sports Injuries

Stem Cell Therapy

Stroke

Sudden Deafness tinnitus *

Thermal burns

TOS (Thoraxtic Outlet Syndrome *)

Vegetative coma

Wounds and Ulcers

And more!

Susan Rodriguez CHT

Dr Underwood, DO, MD, JD
Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics, LLC
9439 Archibald Ave. Suite 104
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
909-477-4545

www.hbot4u.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rapidrecoveryhyperbarics
Yahoo: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/hyperbaricoxygen/join
Linked in: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3891715&mostPopular=&trk=tyah
Blog: http://hbot4u.blogspot.com/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/rapidrecovery02
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hyperbaric02

Danielle's Foundation is giving away a Nintendo Wii to a child with cerebral palsy or brain injury

Danielle's Foundation is giving away a Nintendo Wii to a child with cerebral palsy or brain injury. Many therapists have been using the Wii as a therapy tool for children with physical disabilities and motor coordination issues. Now one lucky child will have the chance to win a Wii for use at home. To receive an application, call 1-800-511-2283. We've just extended the deadline to March 1, 2012.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of post cardiac surgical strokes--a case series and review of the literature.

Anaesth Intensive Care. 2010 Jan;38(1):175-84.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of post cardiac surgical strokes--a case series and review of the literature.

Gibson AJ, Davis FM.

Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Strokes remain an uncommon but significant complication of cardiac surgery. Cerebral air embolism is the likely aetiology in the majority of cases. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the recognised treatment for cerebral air embolism associated with compressed air (SCUBA) diving accidents and is therefore also the standard of care for iatrogenic causes of air embolism. It follows that there is a logic in treating post-cardiac surgical stroke patients with hyperbaric oxygen. The aim of this retrospective review was to examine the outcomes of 12 such patients treated in the Christchurch Hospital hyperbaric unit and to appraise the evidence base for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in this setting. Despite delays of up to 48 hours following surgery before the institution of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 10 of the 12 patients made a full neurological recovery or were left with mild residual symptoms, with nine returning to their previous level of care. One patient remained hemiplegic and there was one early neurological death.

There is a paucity of prospective data in this area, but based on sound pathophysiological principles and clinical experience, we believe that patients suffering a stroke following open cardiac surgery should be considered for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

From Medscape Medical News

Probiotic Effects in Infants Last Until 4 Years of Age

Jennifer Garcia

Authors and Disclosures

Other Health Care Provider Rating: ( 0 Votes ) Rate This Article:

Print This Email this Share Facebook Twitter

processing....

Like this article?

Read medical news in 32 specialty
areas with our Medscape App.
Choose the specialties you want
to follow.

Learn More

February 10, 2012 — Infants exposed to Lactobacillus rhamnosus through diet supplements from 35 weeks' gestation through 2 years of age had a significantly lower risk for eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis. The protective effect lasted until the children were at least 4 years of age, according to a study published online February 6 in Clinical and Experimental Allergy.

The researchers, led by Kristin Wickens, PhD, from the Wellington Asthma Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand, and colleagues, followed 425 infants for 4 years after daily supplementation with L rhamnosus (HN001; 6 × 10⁹ colony-forming units [cfu]/day), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis (HN019; 9 × 10⁹ cfu/day), or placebo. Mothers received supplements from 35 weeks' gestation until their child's birth, continuing to 6 months after birth if they were breast-feeding, and all infants received supplements from birth until age 2 years.

The cumulative prevalence of eczema by age 4 years was significantly reduced in the children taking HN001 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 - 0.83) compared with in the children in the placebo group. The prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis at age 4 years (relative risk, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18 - 0.83) was also significantly reduced in the children in the HN001 group compared with in the children in the placebo group. HN019 did not affect the prevalence of any outcome relative to placebo.

"There have been a number of primary prevention studies investigating the effects of different species of probiotics taken by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers and/or their infants on the prevalence of eczema and sensitization by age 2 years. Reaching a consensus on the role of probiotics as primary preventers of allergic disease has been hampered by heterogeneity between studies in probiotic species and dose, duration and timing of intervention, and definitions of outcomes measured," the authors write.

The researchers previously published the initial results of their double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, in which they evaluated the effect of the probiotics on allergic disease and atopic sensitization in children in the first 2 years of life, in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2008;122:788-794). That analysis demonstrated a 49% reduction in eczema prevalence in children receiving HN001 supplementation.

The current analysis demonstrates that the benefits of HN001 persist to age 4 years, despite cessation of therapy 2 years earlier, suggesting that this probiotic might be an appropriate preventative intervention for high-risk infants.

The researchers collected data regarding the presence (since the child turned 2 years old) of eczema and any history of asthma or hay fever. They assessed eczema severity using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) scale, with a cutoff of 10 or higher, and performed skin-prick tests on the child's forearm in accordance with the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy guidelines. They also evaluated the prevalence of current asthma symptoms, using standard International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questions.

In addition to significantly reducing the risk of eczema by 4 years of age, the use of the HN001 probiotic also provided some protection against SCORAD≥10, wheeze, and atopic sensitization by age 4 years. However, the protective effects did not reach statistical significance.

Fecal samples from a subset of children (n = 153) were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction for the presence of L rhamnosus and B animalis. The researchers noted that HN019 was not detectable in the feces, but HN001 (or HN001-like strains) was detected in 33% of children.

The researchers had previously shown that there was no difference between study groups for sex, ethnicity, delivery, birth weight, length and head circumference, breast-feeding duration, smoking in pregnancy or in the household, pet ownership, family history of allergic disease, or antibiotic use before age 2 years.

Some of the children (24%) had received nonstudy commercially available probiotic supplements; however, exclusion of these children from the analysis did not alter relative risk estimates.

The authors acknowledge study limitations such as the unblinding of participants after 2 years of age, which may have biased responses to questions about eczema frequency and severity. The misclassification of infectious rhinitis as allergic rhinitis and asthma at 4 years of age may also have affected the results, but the authors report that this would not have had a significant effect on the study findings.

"Ours is the only study to separately evaluate two different probiotics, and show an effect for HN001 but not HN019. The different effects we found for each probiotic at age 2 years persisted to 4 years, highlighting the importance of the particular probiotic in allergic disease prevention. Another strength of our study is the high response rate (>86% of eligible infants in each group) and follow-up beyond infancy," Dr. Wickens and colleagues write.

"The precise pathways for effects [of probiotics] on allergic disease remain elusive and require more work, including the possibility that effects are mediated via epigenetic mechanisms," conclude the authors.

Support for this study was provided by Fonterra Cooperative Group, New Zealand. One coauthor is supported by Cure Kids. The other authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Clin Exp Allergy. Published online February 6, 2012. Abstract

DOGS can have a stroke too! and Dogs can have HBOT

DOGS can have a stroke too!

and Dogs can have HBOT

Now that sophisticated diagnostic tests are routinely used at veterinary clinics, it’s increasingly clear that dogs can suffer from many of the same health problems as their owners.

These problems include stroke, which until recently was thought to be rare in dogs. In both humans and dogs, there are two types of stroke:

• Ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blocked artery prevents blood from reaching the brain.
• Hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when blood vessels in the brain start to leak and blood pools around and in the brain.

Both types of stroke are medical emergencies and warrant an immediate call to your veterinarian. Although dog strokes can cause permanent disability or death, the good news is that they are usually not as serious as human strokes. With the right care and treatment, the odds are good that your dog will make a full recovery within a few weeks.

Causes of Dog Stroke

The main causes of ischemic strokes in dogs include:

• Kidney, liver, heart or Cushing's disease.
• Diabetes.
• Parasites.
• Tumors.
• Obesity.
• Dislodged spinal cartilage.
• High blood pressure.
• Over or under active of thyroid glands.

The main causes of hemorrhagic strokes in dogs include:

• Diseases that lead to high blood pressure such as Cushing’s disease, and kidney, heart, and blood clothing diseases.
• Head trauma.
• Brain tumor.
• Accidental consumption of rat poison.
• Inflammation of the arteries (vasculitis).
• Lung worm (angiostrongylosis).
• Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
• Abnormal blood vessel development in the brain.

Regardless of age, sex, or breed, any dog can suffer a stroke. But some reports suggest that stroke may be more likely to affect either very young dogs or very old dogs, and that greater precautions should be taken to avoid exposing such dogs to extreme temperatures.

Other reports suggest that stroke is more common in breeds with extremely thick coats, and in breeds with flat faces such as pugs and bulldogs which have unusually narrow airways for their size..

More than half of the time, a definite cause of dog stroke is never identified. These are known as idiopathic strokes. Regardless of the cause, it’s essential that you take your dog to a veterinarian or emergency clinic as soon as you notice any of the signs or symptoms of a stroke.

Symptoms of Dog Stroke

The signs of dog stroke are usually very different than the signs of human stroke. Only rarely do dogs show signs of human stroke such as a drooping face or total paralysis on one side of the body.

The most common signs of dog stroke include:

• Head tilt.
• Loss of balance, moving in circles and falling over.
• Eating out of one side of food bowl.
• Turning the wrong way when called.
• Confusion.
• Depression.
• Loss of sight or blindness.
• Lethargy.
• Abrupt or drastic change in behavior.
• Loss of bowel or bladder control.
• Seizure.

Initially, such symptoms may not be particularly noticeable, especially if your dog is already likely to do such things as turn the wrong way when called or eat out of only one side of the bowl. But as the condition worsens, the symptoms will become more severe.

Diagnosis of Dog Stroke

A veterinarian may be able to identify a dog stroke from a physical examination. Because the clinical signs of dog stroke are similar to those of other diseases, however, tests may be necessary to make a positive diagnosis.

Such tests may include blood and urine tests as well as advanced imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Standard X-rays are not useful in the diagnosis of stroke.

Because the dog must be absolutely still during an MRI or CT scan, he or she must first be anesthetized. While the dog is unconscious, your veterinarian also may take a sample of spinal fluid (spinal fluid) to check for other conditions such as inflammation or infection that could be causing stroke-like symptoms.

Treatment of Dog Stroke

Once a dog stroke has occurred, there is no way to reverse or repair the brain damage. With proper care, however, dogs almost always survive a stroke and usually recover their motor functions and movement control within several weeks after even a severe stroke.

Sometimes, however, a stroke leads to permanent behavioral changes.

After your dog suffers a stroke, you may need to encourage him or her to eat, drink, and take regular bathroom breaks outside. Initially, all exercise – especially strenuous exercise –should be avoided.

After your dog has fully recovered from a stroke, the best way to prevent another stroke is to ensure that he or she has a healthy diet, and gets plenty of attention and exercise. It’s important to be vigilant for any signs of a new stroke.

It’s also important for your veterinarian to address the underlying cause or causes of the stroke. For example, a low-phosphorus diet may help control chronic kidney failure. A high-protein, high-fiber, and low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may help control diabetes.

Dogs with diabetes also may require regular insulin treatments.

Your veterinarian will be able to prescribe the optimal regimen to keep your dog healthy and happy after a stroke. Don’t forget to schedule an annual checkup, which is important for all dogs.