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Cerebrovascular disease in dogs and cats
1Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm Business Park, SG5 3HR Higham Gobion, England, UK. lsg@vetspecialists.co.uk
Insights
Cerebrovascular disease, including stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA), affects brain blood supply. Diagnosis is crucial for identifying and treating underlying causes of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cerebrovascular disease encompasses brain abnormalities due to impaired blood supply.
- Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the primary clinical sign, categorized as ischemic or hemorrhagic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increasing recognition of cerebrovascular accidents in veterinary medicine.
- To emphasize the importance of diagnosing and managing stroke in animals.
Main Methods:
- Review of cerebrovascular disease definitions and classifications.
- Discussion of diagnostic advancements, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main Results:
- Cerebrovascular accidents are diagnosed more frequently in veterinary patients.
- Magnetic resonance imaging has improved the detection of stroke.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke is essential.
- Identifying and treating the root cause of cerebrovascular disease is critical for patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Cerebrovascular disease is defined as any abnormality of the brain resulting from a pathologic process affecting its blood supply. Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the most common clinical manifestation of cerebrovascular disease, and can be broadly divided into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke results from occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel by a thrombus or embolism, depriving the brain of oxygen and glucose, whereas hemorrhagic stroke results from rupture of a blood vessel wall within the brain parenchyma or subarachnoid space. Previously considered uncommon, CVA is being recognized with greater frequency in veterinary medicine since magnetic resonance imaging has become more readily available. Once the diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke is confirmed, potential underlying causes should be sought after and treated accordingly.
