If you’re worried your dog may be having a stroke, treat sudden neurologic changes as an emergency and contact an emergency veterinary hospital right away. The safest move is to call ahead, transport your dog carefully, and avoid giving any medications unless a veterinarian tells you to.
Seeing a dog suddenly lose balance, tilt their head, collapse, or seem “not themselves” is terrifying, especially when it happens at night or outside your regular vet’s hours. The challenge is that stroke-like symptoms can look like other urgent problems (such as vestibular disease, toxin exposure, or seizures), and it’s not possible to confirm the cause at home.
This guide covers dog seizure symptoms, what to do in the first minutes, what not to do, and what an emergency team typically does first to stabilize and diagnose your pet.
Can Dogs Really Have Strokes, And What Does That Look Like?
Yes, dogs can have strokes, and signs often appear suddenly (minutes to hours). A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted (commonly by a clot or bleeding), causing rapid neurologic changes.
What it can look like at home (common stroke-like signs):
- Sudden loss of balance or coordination (stumbling, falling)
- Head tilt (new, dramatic tilt)
- Circling, drifting, or falling to one side
- Rapid eye movements (eyes “flicking” side-to-side)
- Disorientation, confusion, “spacey” behavior
- Sudden blindness or bumping into objects
- Weakness on one side of the body, difficulty standing
- Collapse, extreme lethargy, unresponsiveness
- Seizures can occur in some cases
Key point for owners: You don’t need to “prove” it’s a stroke to act. Sudden neurologic signs = urgent evaluation.
How Do I Tell The Difference Between A Stroke And Something Else?
You often can’t tell at home, and that’s exactly why emergency evaluation matters.
Conditions that can mimic stroke signs include:
- Vestibular disease (inner ear/neurologic balance issue): can cause head tilt, nystagmus (rapid eye movements), and wobbliness.
- Seizures or post-seizure (postictal) state: confusion, weakness, odd eye movements, collapse.
- Toxin exposure: tremors, disorientation, seizures.
- Very low blood sugar, severe infection, head trauma, or blood pressure issues can all cause sudden neurologic changes.
Practical takeaway: If your dog has sudden neurologic symptoms, whether it’s stroke, vestibular disease, or seizures, the “what to do right away” plan is similar: keep them safe, call an ER, and get seen quickly.
What Should I Do In The First 5 Minutes At Home?
Use this quick action checklist:
1) Keep your dog safe (prevent injury)
- Move furniture or sharp objects away.
- Block stairs.
- Keep other pets/children back.
- If your dog is falling, support the body gently with a towel under the chest/belly.
2) Don’t put your hands near your mouth
- Confused pets may bite unintentionally, even if they’ve never bitten before.
3) Make a fast note (helps your vet)
- When did symptoms start (exact time if possible)?
- What did you see first (collapse, head tilt, circling, eye movements, seizure)?
- Any toxin risks (trash, human meds, cannabis, rodent bait)?
4) Call an emergency vet and describe the symptoms
- Ask: “Should I come in now?” (Most sudden neurologic signs: yes.)
5) Prepare to transport
- Keep the environment calm and quiet.
- Use a blanket as a stretcher for larger dogs if needed.
- Keep your dog warm, not overheated.
What Should I NOT Do If I Think It’s A Stroke?
Avoid these common (and risky) mistakes:
- Don’t give human medications (including aspirin). Many are toxic to pets or can worsen bleeding risks.
- Don’t force food or water. Neurologic impairment increases aspiration risk.
- Don’t wait to ‘see if it passes.’ Some stroke-like events improve, but others worsen; delaying care can reduce options.
- Don’t drive without calling if your dog is actively seizing, collapsing repeatedly, or struggling to breathe. Call for guidance en route when possible.
When Is This An Absolute ‘Go Now’ Emergency?
Go to an emergency vet immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Collapse or inability to stand/walk
- New severe head tilt + falling/circling
- Seizure activity (especially first-time, prolonged, or repeated)
- Sudden blindness, extreme confusion, or unresponsiveness
- Trouble breathing, pale/blue gums, or severe weakness
If you’re specifically searching for an emergency vet San Antonio option after hours, Night Watch Elite Animal Emergency is an emergency and critical care hospital in San Antonio that provides overnight emergency care (when many regular clinics are closed).
What Will An Emergency Vet Do First When I Arrive?
In most emergency hospitals, the first priorities are triage and stabilization:
Triage (who needs care first)
- More critical patients are seen first, even if they arrived after you (common ER process).
Stabilization
- Oxygen support if breathing is compromised
- IV catheter/fluids if needed
- Temperature, blood pressure, glucose checks (as indicated)
- Medications for nausea, dizziness, or seizures when clinically appropriate
Diagnostics to separate stroke from look-alikes
Night Watch Elite Animal Emergency highlights advanced diagnostics, including in-house lab testing and digital radiology/ultrasound, which can speed up answers when minutes matter.
This type of testing helps the team look for underlying triggers (for example: infection, metabolic issues, toxin effects, bleeding concerns) and determine next steps.
Does A Suspected Stroke Ever Mean Emergency Pet Surgery?
Sometimes, neurologic symptoms are caused by problems that do require urgent procedures, but stroke itself is often treated with supportive care and addressing the underlying cause.
Where emergency pet surgery may come into the picture:
- Head trauma with internal injuries
- Certain abdominal emergencies that cause collapse/weakness (not a stroke, but can look similar)
- Conditions like GDV/bloat, foreign body obstruction, or internal bleeding (again: can mimic collapse/instability)
Night Watch Elite Animal Emergency offers emergency surgery and other urgent surgical services (trauma, abdominal surgery, wound repair, C-sections, and more) if your pet’s emergency evaluation shows that surgery is the safest next step.
What If It’s Actually A Seizure—How Is That Different?
Seizures can look like:
- Body stiffening, paddling, loss of consciousness
- Drooling, urinating/defecating
- Confusion afterward (postictal phase), temporary blindness, wobbliness
Rule of thumb: First-time seizures, seizures lasting more than a few minutes, or multiple seizures close together are emergencies.
How Can I Make The Visit Smoother (And Faster)?
If you’re coming to Night Watch after hours, they recommend steps that can speed up check-in and care:
- Call ahead and be ready to describe symptoms.
- Fill out the patient information form before you call, if possible.
- Be prepared for triage and a partially curbside workflow.
- Keep pets leashed or in a carrier for safe handoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common stroke symptoms in dogs?
Common stroke in dogs symptoms include sudden loss of balance, head tilt, circling, rapid eye movements, confusion, weakness on one side, collapse, or sudden blindness. Seizures can occur in some cases.
Can a dog survive a stroke?
How can I tell if my dog is having a stroke or a seizure?
Should I go to an emergency vet even if symptoms seem to improve?
Conclusion
Sudden neurologic changes in dogs are always alarming, and it’s understandable to feel unsure in the moment. While strokes can happen in dogs, many other serious conditions can look similar, and it’s not possible to diagnose the cause at home. The safest response is to treat any sudden balance loss, head tilt, collapse, seizures, or confusion as an emergency. Acting quickly, calling ahead, and seeking emergency veterinary care gives your dog the best chance for stabilization, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
When Stroke-Like Symptoms Can’t Wait
If your dog is showing sudden neurologic signs and you need an emergency vet in San Antonio, Night Watch Elite Animal Emergency provides overnight emergency and critical care, advanced diagnostics, and emergency pet surgery when needed. Call ahead and bring your pet in right away so the medical team can assess and stabilize them as quickly as possible.