Diagnosis of Feline Strokes

A variety of diagnostic tools is available to diagnose a feline stroke.  Diagnostic testing begins with a thorough physical examination of the patient, after which further testing can be done to rule out the possibility of another disease with similar symptoms.  Feline strokes present a very serious condition and require immediate veterinary care.  They present very different symptoms than those exhibited in humans. 

Feline strokes fall into two categories; ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes.  Ischemic strokes occur when there is a reduction in blood supply to the brain.  Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a vessel within the brain bursts.  The course of treatment depends upon the type of stroke.  

At the present time, the possibility of a stroke can only be ascertained through the use of a brain scan or a brain image.  This type of testing requires a computed tomography scan (CT scan) or a magnetic resonance image (MRI) test.  This level of testing may require the services of a specialist.