Re: [pyrnet] Fwds. from Vet as promised on Strokes and heart attacks.

[JGentzel@aol.com]

You will see from the posted info there is quite a difference from the information posted by these Vets.  I will give only part of the article(s) due to space, but give you the URL's for complete reading.  This first one is done by John N. Case, DVM in an article he wrote titled "Neurological diseases in Dogs and Cats"

The URL is:
www.pettribune.com/2000/030100/petpost.html 

"Vascular disorders which produce nervous system impairment are stroke (cerebrovascular accidents and cerebral vasospasm), cerebral arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries in the brain), cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral vascular clots or emboli. Some of the conditions may be alieviated with medical/surgical intervention. Frequently, the patient is left with some form of impairment. "

Mike Richards, DVM gave the following answer in part to a question on 5/4/2000.  

"Strokes (cerebrovascular accidents) are rare in dogs. There is some chance 
that dobermans are more prone to this problem than other breeds, though. 
Dobermans sometimes develop similar atherosclerosis problems to those that 
affect human coronary arteries,  making the possibility of stroke higher, I 
would guess. Other dog breeds have this condition but much more rarely. 

URL is :

http://www.vetinfo.com/dvestib.html

Here is part of an article on geriatric problems in dogs and cats:

"Loss of bone and muscle mass, with proportional increased fat mass occurs, along with arthritis and sometimes, degenerative spinal changes, which lead to weakness, stiffness, and difficulty in rising. Eyesight and hearing may diminish. Cataracts, glaucoma, and nasal/ocular discharges occur more frequently. Tumors and cancer are diagnosed much more frequently in older animals. Senility may develop in older animals-possible exacerbating causes may include less oxygen in the blood secondary to heart and lung problems, toxins present in the blood secondary to diminished liver and kidney function, chronic ear infections affecting the inner ear, and cerebrovascular accidents otherwise know as strokes."

Put on the web by the Morena Pet Hospital.  URL is:

http://www.morenapethospital.com/seniorcare.htm

There are others.

Joe