Symptoms of a concussion in cats and what to do about it

All representatives of the cat family are distinguished by natural dexterity and grace, but this property is not always able to protect them from injury. In addition, the world is full of unkind people who may not like these furry fidgets, and therefore are quite capable of causing them intentional harm. Therefore, every responsible owner should be aware of what a concussion is in cats.

Veterinarians note that concussion is not an independent disease, but is only a consequence of the injury received. However, it should not be underestimated, since as a result of a head injury, the animal may experience hemorrhage in the brain or its compression inside the skull. All this leads to dangerous dysfunction of the motor and central nervous systems, which affects the entire life activity of the tailed friend.

The insidiousness of a concussion is that it may not manifest itself in any way for quite a long time, and then suddenly the cat begins to have seizures or develop chronic heart disease on its own. Therefore, owners should remember that even the most insignificant at first glance head injury to a mustachioed friend can have very serious consequences. The article will discuss the causes of a concussion in a cat, and will also discuss the symptoms and treatment of this disease.

Initial activities

MRI, CT (if available);
X-ray of the chest, skull in two projections, cervical spine; IMPORTANT! Every tenth patient with severe TBI also has damage to the cervical spine. Until spinal injury is ruled out, the animal should be managed as having a spinal injury.

Laboratory tests: complete blood count, blood glucose, blood gases and electrolytes, creatinine and blood urea, complete urinalysis; monitoring: general clinical – blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, ECG, blood saturation; neuromonitoring – ICP, EEG, transcranial Doppler echography.

First aid for concussion

If brain damage is suspected, the first thing the owner should do is provide rest to the pet. The cat should be placed in a quiet, darkened room without sources of bright light. It is best to lay the animal on its side.

If the cat is unconscious, you should not revive it yourself. Under no circumstances should you shake or apply ammonia.

If your tongue is retracted, you should take safety measures: place your tongue on its side with a clean napkin and clear the mouth of vomit.

If there is an open head wound, it is necessary to carefully rinse and treat the injury site with disinfectant solutions. Apply dry ice or a cold compress to the impact site.

It is best to transport a sick pet to the clinic on a hard surface. The carrier and lap of the beloved owner are not suitable for this purpose.

To learn how and what to treat a cat’s wounds, watch this video:

Concussions and contusions of the spinal cord

When a spinal cord injury occurs, conduction along centrifugal and centripetal pathways in one part of the brain weakens or disappears. When the brain is damaged in the cervical thickening, paralysis of the motor pathways of all extremities of the body and internal organs occurs, but the work of the brain and the cyphergram continues to ensure breathing. Damage to the spinal cord between the medulla oblongata and the 4th-6th pairs of cervical nerves is fatal, as paralysis of the respiratory center immediately occurs.

Symptoms.

In case of mild bruises, without damage to the substance of the splint, short-term paresis is noted; in severe cases, the presence of vertebral cracks, ruptures of the meninges and spinal roots, and complications of hemorrhages in the brain are recorded. In this case, there are signs of persistent spinal cord paralysis, decreased deep and superficial sensitivity of the tail and limbs, and prolapse of the rectum. Cats move only with the help of their front limbs, their hind limbs drag. The pelvic part of the body is lowered, the animal is characterized by a sitting position with elongated pelvic limbs. A hump forms at the site of injury.

Diagnosis.

Clinical signs of the disease appear in the animal within the first 5-6 days. With hemorrhage, movement disorders gradually decrease; with appropriate treatment, they completely disappear after 10-15 days. When the meninges are compressed, paraplegia slowly develops and symptoms of movement disorders appear, first on one limb, then on both, and disorders of urination and defecation occur. Preservation of the function of the thoracic limbs in case of pelvic paralysis is determined by a violation of the conductivity of the spinal cord in the anterior part of the lumbar region.

Injury to the sacral spinal cord is characterized by paralysis of the pelvic limbs, tail, sphincters of the rectum and bladder. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take x-ray pictures of the injury site and two projections.

Treatment.

The cat is given complete rest, the bleeding is stopped, and cold is applied. Then sedatives and pain-relieving drugs are administered. In the future, thermal procedures and spinal massage are prescribed. Darsonvalization of the spine is very effective in combination with vitamin Bi2 and strychnine (0.1% solution) - 1 ml for paralysis of the pelvic limbs.

For cracks and fractures of the spine, surgery is performed if possible. It should be borne in mind that the treatment is long and requires patience from the doctor and the cat’s owners.

Cats are very dexterous animals, but they do not always manage to avoid falls and bruises. Head injuries and severe concussions in cats are common.

The cause of a concussion in outdoor cats can be a fall from a height, being hit by a car on the road, an awkward jump from a tree, or being hit by a person.

Domestic cats receive head injuries as a result of heavy objects falling on them or hitting a wall if the animal is frightened or does not have time to brake in time. A concussion is accompanied by cerebrovascular accident and sometimes hemorrhage. This process results in disruption (temporary or permanent) of normal brain activity and activity.

First of all, you need to call a veterinarian. An experienced doctor will provide immediate assistance to the animal.

Treatment: which methods are effective?

To avoid severe consequences, the following treatment methods are used for traumatic brain injury in cats:

• Taking medications: To prevent edema, diuretics are prescribed - “Hypothiazide”, “Urotropin”, “Furosemide”, “Veroshpiron”.
• To maintain the functioning of the heart, injections should be made with drugs such as “Caffeine benzoate sodium 20%”, camphor solution 20%.
• Antishock medications - Prednisolone, Travmatin, Dexamethasone.
• Metoclopramide and Cerucal are effective in suppressing the gag reflex.

Causes of injury

A cat can get a concussion for a variety of reasons. The most common of these is falling from a great height.

. Despite their agility and ability to always land on their paws, which significantly softens the blow, cats do not know how to circumvent the laws of physics. When falling from a considerable height, they do not die, like other animals, but receive a severe blow, causing a concussion of the brain and spinal cord.

Unfortunately, it is often the person who causes the injury. It can be inflicted accidentally (a blow from a door being opened, a kick while walking) or deliberately. Not all people love these cute animals.

A cat can get a concussion by hitting an obstacle at high speed. This happens when an animal gets scared of something and rushes headlong away. At this moment, there may be an obstacle in its path that the cat, in a panic, does not notice.

Finally, these animals are causing trouble for themselves.

. While playing or exploring the surrounding area, animals can throw a heavy object onto themselves, the impact of which can cause a concussion.

Symptoms in an animal

If the injury occurred in front of the owner, then a characteristic sign of brain damage is the pet losing consciousness. The animal may be unconscious from several seconds to half an hour. Typically, the duration of unconsciousness is influenced by the severity of the injury.

By observing an animal that comes to its senses after being exposed to a mechanical factor, the owner may detect strange behavior. Inadequacy manifests itself in poor spatial orientation, the cat does not recognize familiar people, hisses, behaves aggressively, looks around in fear, and hides.

If the owner did not notice the moment of injury, veterinary experts recommend judging brain damage based on the following symptoms:

• Wounds, bruises, abrasions in the head area indicate that the animal has received trauma. With severe damage, hematomas can be detected.
• Change in color of mucous membranes. Both hyperemia and pallor are observed.
• Pathology of the eye lens in the form of dislocation. In this case, the pupil takes on an unnatural appearance, and different sizes may be observed. A careful examination reveals a trembling of the iris and a spot on the pupil.
• Trembling of the eyeball (nystagmus).
• Lack of reaction to light from dilated pupils.
• Temporary blindness.
• Unsteady, uncertain gait.
• Disorientation in space.
• The animal may rest its head against the wall.
• Drowsy, lethargic state.
• Loss of appetite.
• Vomit.
• Signs of aggression: the cat growls, takes threatening poses, attacks, tries to bite.
• Tremor of the limbs: twitching of the paws, facial muscles, ears. Convulsions.
• Paralysis of limbs.
• Tachycardia.
• Heavy, intermittent breathing.

The intensity of clinical signs is largely determined by the severity of the injury or mechanical impact on the animal. The hypothalamus and brainstem are most often affected. There is a disturbance in the blood circulation of the organ, swelling develops, and intracranial pressure increases. Hemorrhage is also a dangerous consequence of injury.

Diagnosis of the condition

In a specialized institution, the veterinarian will first of all collect a detailed medical history. A thorough clinical examination will help to suspect brain damage in a furry patient. During it, the specialist will assess the degree of damage to the eye lens, the condition of the mucous membranes, and the nature of neurological disorders.

If necessary, the animal will undergo an X-ray examination of the skull. Modern equipped veterinary clinics also use magnetic resonance and computed tomography.

Strange animal behavior

You should promptly consult a specialist if your cat exhibits the following signs:

1. Uneven pupils.
2. Lack of pupillary response to light stimulus.
3. Rapid and unnatural eye movements.
4. A cloudy spot on the pupil, trembling of the iris, an abnormal appearance of the eye associated with displacement of the lens or damage to the ligaments that support it.
5. Bruising on the head.
6. Too pale or, conversely, too reddened mucous membranes.
7. Dizziness (its sign is an unsteady and unsteady gait).
8. Headache is a sign of it: the animal rests its head on a hard surface and stands motionless.
9. Drowsiness.
10. Attacks of aggression.
11. Involuntary twitching of paws and facial muscles.
12. Paralysis of limbs.
13. Short-term loss of hearing or vision.
14. Difficulty in orientation.
15. Increased heart rate.
16. Intermittent breathing accompanied by wheezing.

You need to know that the intensity of the symptoms of a concussion in a cat directly depends on the severity of the injury and the area affected. The mechanism of brain damage during trauma is as follows: the place where the blow was directly received suffers, and after that the brain hits the opposite wall of the skull, also receiving injury. During a concussion, the hypothalamus and brain stem are most vulnerable. Brain hemorrhage is very dangerous

This condition can lead to paralysis of the animal, temporary or permanent, so it is very important to get help as soon as possible. Usually the main symptoms in animals disappear within 2 weeks

In any case, calling a veterinarian will not hurt.

Symptoms of Concussion in Cats

The most characteristic symptom for this injury is loss of consciousness immediately after the blow. The animal remains unconscious for several minutes, then comes to its senses. However, if there is a brain injury, the cat may fall into a coma. The severity of the concussion can be determined by the duration of unconsciousness. The longer the cat does not come to its senses, the more severe the injury and the more dangerous the consequences.

After the return of consciousness, the cat has poor spatial orientation for quite a long time. In some cases, memory loss may occur. The cat is afraid of the owner, does not recognize him, and can even show aggression.

You should contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat exhibits the following symptoms:

1. The pupils have different sizes.
2. The pupils react poorly or not at all to light.
3. There are rapid, unpredictable movements of the pupils.
4. A cloudy spot appeared on the pupil. The iris is shaking. This may indicate possible displacement of the lens due to ligament separation.
5. Bruises were found on the head.
6. The mucous membranes turned pale or, on the contrary, became excessively engorged with blood.
7. The cat moves with an unsteady step.
8. She has unmotivated attacks of aggression.
9. Limbs twitch involuntarily.
10. There is paralysis of the limbs.
11. The cat is poorly oriented in the surrounding space.
12. Breathing is intermittent, accompanied by wheezing.

It is important to understand that the intensity of symptoms depends on how severe the injury was to the animal. But this does not mean that if symptoms are mild, you do not need to take your cat to the veterinarian. It is necessary to consult a specialist in any case.

First aid at home

If your pet passes out after being hit right in front of you, don’t panic. Take heart and just follow the algorithm, which explains in detail what to do if your cat has a concussion:

Carefully turn your pet onto its side and try to eliminate all irritating factors. To do this, close the curtains tightly, turn off the TV and ask the children to move to another room. Do not use ammonia to revive you - it can burn your mucous membranes.

Examine the victim's mouth. If you find traces of vomit, quickly remove it with a clean cloth or napkin. The sunken tongue needs to be removed. This will help prevent suffocation.

Wash the open wound with warm water and treat it with an antiseptic, remembering to apply a cold compress to the bruised area.

Please note that the removal and repositioning of bone fragments is strictly prohibited.

Count your pulse. If it is missing, begin a rescue operation to restart the stopped heart

To do this, you need to inhale air directly into your nostrils several times or rhythmically squeeze your chest, clasping it with your fingers. Calculate the force of inhalation and pressing so as not to harm your pet. These actions can be alternated by checking your pulse every 2 minutes. Please note that only 20 minutes are allotted for rescue.

Use a flat, hard surface for transport to the veterinary clinic. Instead of a cloth carrier, it is recommended to use a regular cardboard box. It will reduce shaking during movement and protect the animal from sudden hemorrhage.

Cat care

A cat that has suffered a concussion needs careful care and attention from the owner. The following recommendations will help ensure a quick recovery:

1. The animal must be in a state of peace and quiet. Loud sounds and bright lights are contraindicated for him.
2. Feed your cat healthy food rich in vitamins and microelements.
3. Until complete recovery, you should not let your pet go outside.
4. Over the next 4-6 months, take your pet to the vet regularly.

There is little pleasure in brain injuries, and they are extremely dangerous for a furry fidget. Therefore, at the first sign of a concussion, the pet should be taken to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. It also happens that if the owner ignores even the slightest, seemingly insignificant bruises to the head of his pet, he remains disabled for life. Feel free to take care of your cat and take care of his health, and he will always be cheerful and energetic.

Traumatic shock

Traumatic shock is considered one of the most dangerous conditions in cats. It is the most common cause of death in animals.

Signs of traumatic shock

Shock in a cat can be determined by the following signs:

• change in heartbeat (increased or slowed down);
• breathing became faster;
• gums become pale (may become completely white);
• body temperature has decreased.

If you find no external damage to your pet, shock may be caused by bleeding or internal damage.

First aid for a cat with traumatic shock

An injured cat needs immediate help. To begin, place the cat on its side on a pre-spread towel (or diaper). If necessary, open its airways: place your palm under the animal's head so that the index finger and thumb are above its upper fangs. Then tilt your head lying on your palm so that the animal’s nose is directed upward. Squeeze your fingers very gently, after which the cat’s mouth will open slightly. Gently pull your pet's tongue with your other hand, thereby opening the airway.

Place a rolled-up towel or small pillow under the cat's hind legs and hips - the back of the cat's body should be elevated.

Carefully examine the animal, if you find external bleeding, stop it.

Treatment

It would be ideal if a dog’s concussion and its treatment are monitored by a veterinary specialist throughout the entire therapeutic course. The veterinarian assesses the animal’s condition and prescribes treatment based on personal observations and medical history from the owner of the four-legged patient. During the course, medications and their dosages can be replaced by one another, depending on the body’s response to the medication.

For a complete diagnosis it is recommended:

• take an X-ray of the skull to rule out fractures or splits of the cranial bones, as well as displacement of the cervical vertebrae;
• conduct a computed tomography scan to assess the extent of brain damage;
• Additionally, obtain advice from a veterinary ophthalmologist and neurologist.

Medications

Calcium chloride 10% Twice daily intravenously for 1-2 weeks, depending on the severity of the condition and the risk of developing cerebral edema. Manitol (Mannitol) 15% Administer slowly by drip (from 20 minutes to half an hour) at a rate of 0.25-2 g/kg daily for as many days as the situation requires, but at least 3 days. Furosemide 5% (diuretic) Intramuscularly from 0.5 to 2 ml 1-2 times a day for 3-5 days depending on the condition

Use caution if you have kidney problems.

Mexidol-Vet 2.5% Intravenously or into the muscle, 0.5 ml/kg during the first week, and then 0.25 ml/kg for another 2-3 weeks. Cerebrolysin 1 to 5 ml intramuscularly 1-2 times a day for at least a month. Piracetam Intramuscularly from 1 to 5 ml 1-2 times a day, depending on the severity of the condition. The course is at least 14 days. Cinnarizine ½ tablet

twice a day for a course of 1 month. Monitor the dynamics, the dose can be increased to 1 tablet in special conditions. Actovegin Intramuscularly, 1 ml 1-2 times a day for 1-3 weeks. The first week - daily, then every other day.

Papaverine Subcutaneously or intramuscularly 1-3 mg/kg twice a day or as required. Travmatin Subcutaneously or intramuscularly, 0.1 ml/kg, but not more than 4 ml at a time. Symptomatically. Baralgin 0.1 ml/kg intramuscularly in the morning and evening or on demand when the dog is clearly in pain.

Sereniya Subcutaneously at a dose of 0.5 ml/5 kg once a day and no longer than 5 days. Cerucal Intramuscularly (rarely subcutaneously) 0.2-0.4 mg/kg up to 4 times a day. Doesn't always help, because... There is individual sensitivity to vomiting of central action. Ondasetron 0.5 mg/kg intramuscularly or intravenously no more than 2 times a day for 3-5 days.

What is alcohol intoxication (alcohol poisoning)

Literally within 5 minutes after taking the first dose, ethanol is absorbed into the blood, penetrating the cells and tissues of the body. After two hours, the concentration of ethanol breakdown products reaches a physiological peak. If alcohol is drunk on an empty stomach, the absorption process will occur even faster.

The main burden of breaking down ethanol falls on the liver, but the central nervous system is most susceptible to the effects of alcohol and its breakdown products. Typical symptoms of poisoning are loss of consciousness, lack of reflex functions and natural muscle turgor. One of the most severe consequences of intoxication, characteristic of the deep phase of intoxication, is alcoholic coma. In this case, without the participation of an ambulance, a fatal outcome due to respiratory paralysis is guaranteed.

The severity of the condition depends not only on the amount of drinking. An important factor in possible complications is the duration of exposure to toxins. Judging by medical practice, the fatal dose of alcohol is 300 ml of pure 96% alcohol (on average, this is from 4 to 12 g per kilogram of body weight). There are other factors that influence the degree of intoxication:

• elderly age;
• overwork;
• stress;
• insufficient nutrition or cessation of diet;
• liver and pancreas diseases, diabetes mellitus;
• incompatibility of alcohol with certain medications.

Poisoning is aggravated by the toxic effects of alcohol on stable cellular activity. Many symptoms of intoxication are caused by an excess of acetaldehyde, one of the most dangerous breakdown products of ethanol. The higher the concentration of alcohol in the blood, the more acetaldehyde is produced, and poisoning in this case takes on particularly acute forms.

About the signs of pathology

First of all, you need to understand that a concussion is not a disease, but a consequence of an injury. If left untreated, complications will arise in the form of chronic diseases that undermine the pet’s health. The owner must be aware that any head injury, sometimes minor, can lead to a concussion. A cup that accidentally falls on an animal's head or a blow from a sharply opening door can provoke this pathology. After this, your animal may appear normal. And all because the milder the injury, the more difficult it is to notice with the naked eye the deterioration of the animal’s condition and, even more so, disruptions in brain function. After all, after minor injuries, a cat eats well and reacts adequately to the situation. But after a few months she may experience seizures, convulsions, and heart ailments. By that time, the owner has already forgotten about the injury.

That is why it is so important to show the patient to the doctor after it, even if the injury is mild. When it is strong, a short-term loss of consciousness may be a symptom of a concussion.

The animal comes to its senses after a few seconds or minutes. The longer the fainting state lasts, the more serious the injury. When the injured animal comes to its senses, it looks stunned, not understanding what happened to it. Sometimes short-term memory loss may occur. A cat does not recognize its owner, hisses at him, and hides in hard-to-reach places.

It often happens that animals are walking on the street and get injured there, and the owner is not present. You can suspect something is wrong based on the following signs: bruises, hematomas, bruises on the head and neck, pale mucous membranes. Problems with the head are clearly signaled by the animal's eyes. We are talking about an unnatural shape of the pupil, that is, a dislocation of the lens. A pale spot may appear on the pupil, and the iris may tremble. The eyes of cats after severe head injuries look unnatural because the lens capsule is displaced. Also, the visual apparatus can respond to injury with nystagmus - rapid movement of the eyeballs. Unsteady gait, twitching or paralysis of facial muscles, convulsions, loss of orientation and hearing, wheezing, rapid pulse are typical symptoms of severe head injuries in animals. Their headaches may manifest themselves by leaning against walls or corners and freezing in this position.

Signs of a concussion depend on the severity and location of the impact. Brain tissue is damaged not only in the place where the blow was struck, but also on the opposite side.

Independent methods of treating alcohol poisoning at home

When identifying the first symptoms and signs of alcohol intoxication, the following actions can help:

• Artificial vomiting.
• Taking sorbents, enveloping and diuretic drugs.
• Restoration of intestinal microflora.
• Symptomatic therapy.

Let us immediately note that if a person becomes worse, it is better not to do anything and call an ambulance.

To induce artificial vomiting using the “two fingers in the mouth” method, a person should be given 0.5-0.6 liters of lightly salted water to drink. Most likely, this will have to be done by someone nearby, since it is unlikely that in a state of intoxication the patient will be able to do this himself. The procedure must be repeated until clean water comes out.

There is no need to be alarmed if bile comes out with vomiting; in case of intoxication, this is a completely acceptable phenomenon - this is how the body gets rid of the remaining toxins. But if blood appears in the vomit, then this is a very bad sign. The procedure should be stopped and wait for the ambulance to arrive.

It is considered normal if spontaneous vomiting occurs no more than twice. However, uncontrollable vomiting is a clear signal that medical attention is needed.

Along the way, you can try to restore the person’s condition using available medications. So, to restore water balance, a person is given “Regidron”, “Hydrovit”, “Citroglucosolan”. For the same purposes, you can make a solution of salt and sugar: for 1 liter of water, 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 4 tablespoons of sugar.

Obviously, in this condition, a person cannot be fed until the stomach is completely cleared and the condition improves.

It is also permissible to use the following home methods:

• Pouring cool water over the head to maintain natural consciousness.
• Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, pentalgin, analgin, sorbents.
• Allow the patient to assume a “lying on their side” position so that vomit does not block breathing. Physical activity is undesirable.
• Give more fluids to drink, at least in small portions (you can use saline or soda solution).
• In case of a short-term loss of consciousness, a person can be revived by light blows to the cheeks.

If the degree of poisoning is insignificant, then these methods will most likely help bring the patient to his senses, and it will be possible to begin measures to restore the body from the consequences of poisoning. The fact is that it is not enough to simply provide first aid and get rid of the acute symptoms of poisoning. Ethanol, while in the blood, continues its destructive effect: cells and tissues are saturated with ethanol breakdown products, the liver is overloaded with the work of breaking down toxins, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, and the nervous system is depressed. Thanks to simple home methods, you can get rid of intoxication to some extent, but if the nervous processes are still slowed down, the symptoms of intoxication do not go away and the person gets worse, then it is very important to call specialists in a timely manner. Perhaps this is the only thing that can save a life.

Treatment

If your dog has a bad fall or accident and exhibits any of the above signs, it is very likely that he has a concussion. Now that you have identified the problem, you need to treat your concussion as quickly as possible. Just like humans, dogs also have a treatment protocol.

First, you need to calm your dog so that he doesn't get too excited. If she is scared or anxious, you will have a hard time determining whether she actually has a traumatic brain injury.

In some cases, your dog may not even be injured. You won't know until you calm him down and make sure he's okay. If there is a visible wound you should take your dog to the vet immediately. Even if there is no head injury, if your dog is showing symptoms, take him to the vet as well.

Since your dog may not report pain or confusion, in the event of a head injury, it's best to play it safe and take him to the hospital.

When it arrives, the veterinarian will run a series of tests on your dog. Basically, the veterinarian will draw blood and ensure that all of your dog's organs are working properly, eliminating the possibility of shock, before proceeding.

The shock is extremely severe and results in long-term damage and death. If you notice your dog is in shock, raise his head and watch his breathing in case he needs to perform CPR.

How to perform CPR on a dog:

1. Lay the dog on its side on a flat surface.
2. Place your hand on most of the dog's chest.
3. With your arms secured, squeeze your dog's chest to a quarter of its width at a steady rate of 80 compressions per minute.
4. Continue CPR until your dog is conscious, breathing on his own, or a trained veterinarian or staff can provide compressions.

Signs of shock are:

1. Limited mental performance or activity
2. blue gums
3. irregular heartbeat
4. low temperature
5. rapid breathing
6. shallow pulse
7. convulsions

After ruling out shock and evaluating the heart and lungs, your veterinarian may give your dog oxygen and fluid infusions to prevent nausea and relieve some symptoms.

Your dog may also be prescribed some anti-inflammatory medications to reduce and prevent brain inflammation and to make your dog more comfortable.

Certain neurological tests may be performed to better assess the severity of a concussion. Some severe cases require surgery to correct brain bleeding or other internal injuries that accompany a concussion.

Like people who suffer a head injury, your dog will likely be kept overnight for observation. In severe cases, your dog may remain in the hospital for several days.

This time allows the veterinarian to determine how severe the brain swelling may be, rule out any type of internal bleeding, and closely monitor any symptoms that arise.

It also prevents secondary injuries, which can be more traumatic and cause more serious long-term consequences than the initial head injury. Other than these few steps, there really isn't much that can be done for a head injury. Observation and rest are key aspects of the healing process.

Diagnostics

In cases where external injuries to the skull, bleeding from the ears or nose, neurological deficits, depression of consciousness, and loss of coordination are present, the diagnosis of traumatic brain injury is obvious. If the animal's history indicates that it is likely that it has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is necessary to immediately take the animal to a veterinarian.

Depending on the condition of the animal, medical history and clinical signs, the following should be carried out:

• history taking and general physical examination (assessment of general condition)
• neurological examination - to assess the location of the injury and its severity;
• ophthalmological tests, first of all, examination of the fundus of the eye using an ophthalmoscope, which allows us to identify signs of high intracranial pressure and the condition of the vessels of the fundus;
• in some cases, it is advisable to perform X-ray scanning of the skull to exclude fractures and foreign objects (shots);
• special diagnostic methods (CT and MRI) can be used if there is a suspicion of intracranial damage (subdural hematomas, hemorrhages directly into the brain tissue, skull fractures, secondary cerebral edema).

Additionally, the general condition of the animal is assessed:

• Using a plain X-ray, it is possible to exclude other injuries (limb fractures, pneumothorax, hemothorax);
• Using ultrasound, the abdominal cavity of the animal is examined to exclude bruises and rupture of internal organs, intra-abdominal bleeding;
• a general blood test is performed;
• a biochemical blood test is performed;
• measure blood pressure.

Forecast

The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease, the area of ​​injury and its degree. Coma that lasts more than 48 hours or a progressive deterioration of the condition is considered to have a poor prognosis.

Cats who have suffered a TBI should be regularly examined by a neurologist to monitor the dynamics and correct the prescribed therapy. Some patients recover quite slowly and the extent of their recovery cannot be predicted

Neurological signs can persist in cats for almost months and it is important to be patient, follow all recommendations of a veterinarian, provide a high-quality diet and good care

Read reviews about our veterinary center. Call the number and schedule a consultation right now or request a call back. (c) Veterinary center for the treatment and rehabilitation of animals “Zoostatus”. Varshavskoe highway, 125 building 1.

First signs

A dog that has suffered a concussion may behave normally with a minor injury. With more severe injuries, the following signs and symptoms of a dog concussion occur:

1. Lethargy, inert behavior, apathy. These are usually the first signs of a mild concussion.
2. Headache, due to which the animal either tries to keep its head unnaturally straight and still, or shakes it vigorously.
3. Impaired coordination of movements.
4. Nausea, vomiting.
5. Lack of appetite.
6. The dog sleeps a lot, tries to hide from everyone, even from its owners.
7. Loss of consciousness, unexpected fainting. Loss of consciousness is especially dangerous if the animal is constantly vomiting - it can choke on its own vomit.
8. Inappropriate behavior up to and including attacks on its owner and strangers.
9. In severe cases, breathing and heartbeat disturbances occur, and the pupils are dilated over the entire eye and do not respond.

Treatment of the disease

After examining the patient and establishing an accurate diagnosis, the veterinarian prescribes treatment. Primary therapy is aimed at reducing cerebral edema in a cat; the drugs Hypothiazide and Indapamide, as well as diuretics such as Furosemide and Veroshpiron, are excellent for these purposes. The pet is also prescribed pharmaceuticals with a pronounced analgesic effect, for example, Analgin, and injections that can support the functioning of the cardiac system (caffeine).

Immediately after swelling and the most painful symptoms are removed, the doctor prescribes nootropic drugs (Piracetam, Glycine) for the cat, which improve metabolism in brain tissue and nourish nerve cells. In addition, the cat is prescribed mild sedatives, such as Fitex and Xylazine, as well as those based on medicinal herbs - motherwort, peppermint. The duration of medication is determined by how severe the cat's concussion was. On average, complete healing takes from 7 to 14 days.

Never try to treat an animal at home. Even experienced veterinarians cannot always understand all the nuances of a concussion without the use of X-rays or CT scans. Caring for an injured pet on your own without first consulting a doctor will probably only aggravate the current situation and lead the cat to irreversible disorders of the functioning of the brain.