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There are 3 posts contained here, and they are
forwarded with the express permission of the author. She has also stated, that
since she is not a member of this list, that anyone wishing to discuss this
further may contact her privately. Consequently, I have left her email address
attached to her original posts. If you do decide to discuss this further, please
remember that this woman is a Vet and a professional, and even if you disagree,
please do so politely. TIA
<<Stroke
has a specific medical definition which describes a specific
pathological condition. It does not occur in dogs. The pathology causing the symptoms we see in dogs is not the same as a stroke. One more way in which dogs are not little humans and cannot always be treated the same way. If the list-mom does not mind, I would recommend that those of you with veterinary medical concerns keep the following web address handy: www.vetmedcenter.com . This website is very informative. It has information for pet owners and veterinary professionals. It is my favorite on-line veterinary reference. Check it out. Share with your vet. Lisa Kaylene Powell, DVM LKPDVM@hotmail.com >> <<
Your dog had vestibular syndrome. Many vets will use the term 'stroke' because people are familiar with it and feel they have an understanding of it. 'Vestibular syndrome' is unfamiliar and vague. Vets will also say a dog had a 'heart attack', when that is also impossible by medical definition. Of course, we seem to use that one for any time a dog drops over dead unexplained. Sometimes people find comfort in an explanation, even when we know it is false. We treat the owners, too, you know. Lisa Kaylene Powell, DVM LKPDVM@hotmail.com >> <<Strokes
are the result of a burst blood vessel or aneurism in the brain.
Damage is often profound and recovery is long-term. Vestibular syndrome is thought to be due to cerebravascular accidents, which are due to microthromboemboli (tiny blood clots) which lodge in the capillaries of the brain, and cause an ischemic episode. Recovery is rapid. By the way, I just read that CVAs and/or other vascular problems may not be the cause of vestibular syndrome, and the cause remains unknown. Heart attacks are due to the accumulation of plaque in heart vessels which eventually occludes blood flow. Plaque formation does not occur in the dog. The average person does not know what causes a stroke, but they 'know' what one is. Your vet could spend and hour or more trying to explain something to you, at a time when you are upset, or he/she could say 'stroke'. It is not a deliberate attempt to dupe anyone or treat anyone like a simpleton. Chris is right. It's like when the doctor says you have the 'flu'. This is a subject for another time. Perhaps we will someday have an author who has written a book about veterinarians. Why build a watch when someone asks you the time? Lisa Kaylene Powell, DVM LKPDVM@hotmail.com >> Barb Bowes
Bo & Chelsea (Pyrs), Flopsy (Pyr Shep) & Machin (Doxie) The more people I meet, the more I like my dog! bamb@monmouth.com |