Angiostrongylus vasorum as a cause of strokes

Angiostrongylus vasorum is the most common cause of haemorrhagic cerebrovascular accidents in dogs.

Bleeding in the brain or spinal cord can cause neurological symptoms. Craniotentorial bleeding can cause epileptic seizures, paresis and abnormal postural reactions.

In cases of cerebellar bleeding, hypermetria, vestibular symptoms and opisthotonus are observed, and if the brainstem is affected, abnormalities of the cranial nerves can be seen.

Inflammation, hypoxia and parasitic emboli may cause neurological signs too.

It is worth treating any dog with a suspected stroke for A vasorum with Advocate (moxidectin and imidacloprid).