What are the causes and treatments for dogs to faint?

Pet 9:01am, 11 July 2025 99

There are many causes of fainting in dogs, but there is a greater chance of occurring in elderly dogs. There are many reasons for dog fainting, which are often related to cardiovascular diseases.

1. What is fainting?

Disia is a medical term for dizziness. When the dog's brain temporarily loses consciousness due to insufficient blood and oxygen supply, it is called dog fainting.

2. Causes of fainting in dogs

Dog fainting in dogs exists in many different forms, so there are many causes of fainting.

1. Cardiovascular system: Dog fainting may be related to problems in the heart or other organs of the body, and exercise-related fainting may be related to underlying heart problems. Heart problems include: abnormally low or high heart rate, damage to the myocardium or valve, heartworms and heart tumors, etc. Diseases caused by the heart will prevent sufficient blood oxygen from being delivered to the brain, causing fainting.

2. Vascular and vagus nerve fainting: Sudden stimulation or pressure causes a short drop in blood pressure and stimulates the vagus nerve, causing fainting.

3. Postural fainting: Dogs may faint due to coughing, defecation, urination or swallowing.

4. Other reasons: hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia) and drugs (special drugs that affect blood pressure).

3. Clinical symptoms of dog fainting

Dog fainting is a clinical symptom of an underlying disease. The dog may first appear weak, then fall down or suddenly fall, and it will lose consciousness for several seconds before regaining consciousness.

4. Diagnosis methods for dog fainting

1. First of all, the doctor must distinguish whether the dog is really fainting. Because some neurological disorders (such as epilepsy) may look very similar to fainting, once they are determined to be fainting, the doctor must determine the underlying cause. At this time, it can be diagnosed through a clinical history and combined with special laboratory tests, including blood tests, cardiopulmonary auscultation and pulse palpation.

2. In addition, heartworm test is an item that must be tested. In addition, electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound test and x-rays in the chest can be used to evaluate cardiac function. If you suspect that the dog has neurological abnormalities, you can do cerebrospinal fluid extraction screening and brain wave test to evaluate the brain and its activity.

5. Treatment of dog fainting

The treatment of dog fainting depends on the underlying cause. Treatment includes: reducing the likelihood of dizziness, minimizing exercise or irritation, and using stool softeners to reduce the irritation of bowel movement.

In addition, special drug therapy can be used to improve cardiac function and minimize vasovagal fainting. Any medication that may cause fainting should be discontinued or avoided.