Is it common with strokes and heart attacks in older dogs? Can dogs get high cholesterol?

Strokes and heart attacks are very rare but can occur in dogs. Strokes are either due to a vessel in the brain that bleeds, or one that has clogged shut. The most common cause in dogs is when a blood vessel in the brain has clogged shut/stopped working, but the reason behind this clog is often unknown. It can be due to inborn deformities of the blood vessels in the brain or chronic diseases such as Cushings disease or kidney failure. Greyhounds seem to be at larger risk of strokes than other dog breeds.

The symptoms of stroke depend on what area of the brain has been affected. Examples include, but are not limited to, a change in behaviour/consciousness, fits, circling, paralysis, loss of vision and vestibular signs. An MRI is required for diagnosis.

High cholesterol is seen in dogs, but not in the same way as in humans. Certain hormonal diseases such as Cushings disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes and kidney diseases can result in an increased blood cholesterol. This can lead to atherosclerosis (clogging of blood vessels) and in turn increase the risk for stroke. Dogs can have heart attacks, but atherosclerosis is a very rare cause. Heart disease, on the other hand, increases the risk for blood clots, which subsequently can result in a heart attack.