| Definetly does sound like a stroke, seriously. But hey I am not a vet. I would definietly be keeping a close eye on her eating and drinking. Question: Did the coughing start before the eye drooping. From a medical point of view (human)..if she did stroke...it could affect her swallowing reflex..hence aspirating fluids and food into the lungs...causing pneumonia. Usually when strokes are a possibility the head should be CT scanned and an MRI performed (of the head). And if positive for CVA..I would definitely want a doppler ultrasound of the caroids..and a chest Xray should be done as well. It will rule out aspiration and any asymptomatic PEs. In humans, if they even suspect CVA, you are NPO until these tests are done and then a swallow evaluation is performed to prevent possible aspiration...b/c that would just really suck to develop pneumonia on top of a CVA and its deficits. Unfortuately there are no labs that specifically will indicate problems in the brain..I mean, if it was a MI then cardiac enzymes could be done..But this is different.. Labs could show an increased WBC (which indicates infection somewhere)..or low Hemocrit and hemoglobin (which is bleeding somewhere)..So I would depend on labs so much unless it is for a specific test for a specific diagnoses. How did vet conclude these diagnoses? Any diagnostics? Or just a conclusion from looking at dog?..... So, all in all, I am glad you are going to see a neurologist...but in the mean time..keep an eye on her respirations..if she starts sounding junky (lungs sounding wet...maybe wheezey-which indicate different problems), get her to the vet ASAP. Good luck..PLEASE keep us upadated. |