What can cause fainting in dogs- When to go to the vet

The moment when our dog suddenly loses consciousness is one of those “freezing” moments. We see our own creature, full of life and energy, fall to the ground and for a few seconds we feel that we too are losing the “earth beneath our feet.”

It is perfectly normal to be afraid. But even so, calmness and proper information are our most powerful “weapons”. Our dog at that moment is relying on us and needs our calmness to recover and feel safe.

The swooning, known in medicine as swooning, is a sudden and usually brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporarily reduced flow of blood to the brain. The dog may recover quickly and appear to us that “it was nothing serious”, but it is not a symptom to ignore, because in many cases it may be hiding something that needs monitoring.

Causes of fainting – Which dogs are most at risk

There are many causes that can lead to such an episode, with cardiac conditions being among the most common. arrhythmias, problems with cardiac valves or other cardiovascular disorders can reduce the blood supply to the brain and cause fainting.

Also, metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia, electrolyte disorders and anaemia can lead to severe weakness or syncope-like episodes. dehydration and overheating, particularly in high temperature and humidity conditions, stress the body, and respiratory problems that limit oxygenation may contribute to such episodes.

In some cases, collapse is associated with intense physical activity, especially in highly active breeds such as Lambradors. It is not always a classic syncope, but a form of collapse that also needs veterinary investigation.

At the same time, it is very important to distinguish between fainting and an epileptic seizure, because they are different conditions that are often confused. In epilepsy we may see intense spasms, involuntary limb movements, spasms or even loss of urine and stool, and after the episode our dog may remain disoriented for longer after the episode. In contrast, in fainting, the loss of consciousness is usually brief and recovery is usually quicker. In either case, only a veterinarian can make the correct distinction.

Some dogs exhibit increased predisposition. elderly dogs are more likely to develop cardiac problems, small breeds are more commonly associated with heart valve disease, while large breeds may develop cardiomyopathies. Particular attention is also needed for brachycephalic breeds, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, which have more difficulty breathing, especially in hot weather.

What to do – When the incident is considered an emergency

An episode of fainting usually occurs suddenly, with our dog falling to the ground as if his legs are “cut off” and remaining motionless for a few seconds. In most cases he will recover quickly, although he may briefly appear confused before he fully recovers.

If it happens to us, we first try to take a breath. What should we do?

• We place the dog in safe place
• We lay him on his side
• We check if he is breathing normally
• Remove the perilium
• If it’s hot, We We don’t give him any We don’t give him food or water until he has recovered