Unconscious Pet: What Happened?
Loss of consciousness occurs on various levels and has multiple causes. Amazement, for example, is a state of unconsciousness in which the animal responds only to strong stimuli. Coma, on the other hand, is a state of unconsciousness in which the animal does not wake up, even with painful stimuli. So when a pet is unconscious, what happened?
In order for the animal to recover, it will be essential to establish the gravity of the situation and the cause of the loss of consciousness and, starting from there, try to make it recover.
Unconscious pet: how to act?
Of course, the first thing to do is take him to the vet. Especially since it could be something serious that can endanger the life of the animal. It is advisable to contact a veterinarian and follow his advice.
Step one: find the cause
A neurological exam will allow you to identify the cause that led to the coma. The animal has lost the ability to walk and passed out, which means that reflexes have also failed.
- If the lesion is located in the cerebral hemispheres
When the state of health is altered, it is necessary to observe the eyes. For example, there may be a lack of response in the face of direct light or it could even be blindness.
- If the lesion is in the brain stem
In this case, it can also affect the cranial nerves, as we saw in the previous section. Once again, the eyes will provide us with the necessary clues. Dilated pupils, strabismus, absence of physiological nystagmus, etc. may appear.
Step Two: Investigate the Cause
- Due to a brain dysfunction
Inflammatory or metabolic diseases, intracranial neoplasms and hydrocephalus can cause brain dysfunction. In most cases, the animal will show some degree of unconsciousness.
The treatment of cerebral dysfunction will be twofold: on the one hand it aims to intervene on the initial cause and on the other it aims to lower intracranial pressure.
- Due to a problem in the brain stem
Again, neoplasms, inflammation, etc. can lead to acute or progressive brain stem dysfunction. Treatment may require chemotherapy, antimicrobials, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Due to a brain hernia
Again, cancer, inflammatory brain disease, or trauma can cause an increase in intracranial pressure. They can also cause brain tissue to herniate, potentially compressing the brain stem.
- For metabolic causes
Metabolic diseases can generate widespread brain dysfunction with progressive symptoms. This becomes evident first with the alteration of vision, until the arrival of loss of consciousness and coma.
This is the case, for example, of diabetic coma, heat stroke, encephalopathies of hepatic or renal origin, hypoglycemia, hypothyroid coma, hypoxia, etc. Toxic agents such as heavy metals, barbiturates, narcotics, ivermectin or tranquilizers can also cause it.
- For vascular causes
Loss of consciousness or coma can be the result of a stroke or brain hemorrhage, which again causes an increase in intracranial pressure. Causes of strokes in animals include:
- trauma
- neoplasms and metastases
- bleeding disorders
- heart disease and hypertension
- thrombosis due to the presence of parasites in the blood (for example, heartworm disease).
Although most of the time no underlying cause is identified, cardiovascular disease, so common in humans, is rare in animals.
If cardiovascular disease is suspected, blood pressure and clotting tests should be done. Cerebral infarction is addressed by:
- supportive treatment,
- control aimed at identifying any underlying disease,
- lowering of intracranial pressure.
What to do when a pet is unconscious?
Although the causes of unconsciousness, as we have seen, are generally serious, early diagnosis and quick action can restore the animal to its normal state.
Everything will depend on the speed and readiness with which you act and on the information that the owner provides to the veterinarian on the health of his pet, but, above all, on the severity of the underlying cause.
