Dog Fainting: Causes and What to Do
When a dog suddenly loses its strength and falls to the ground, it’s called a collapse. It can happen with or without loss of consciousness. Dogs who collapse but remain conscious may feel anxiety or confusion.
Fainting or passing out is a collapse where dogs lose their consciousness. Fainting may happen due to disorientation, diarrhea, or general weakness. In such a situation, you must take your dog to the vet for immediate treatment.
The recovery depends on the cause of the collapse as they might recover quickly and start acting normal. In other cases, they may stay still and require assistance to move.
What To Do If Your Dog Collapsed
If your dog collapsed but recovered quickly, consult your vet once to check why it happened. Your veterinarian will let you know whether an examination is required or not.
What to Do if a Dog is Unconscious
When your dog is unconscious, make sure to remain calm and evaluate the situation. Keep your dog in a safe place, talk to your dog in a calm voice, and use a blanket to move the dog if required
During regular hours, call the vet right away and explain the situation. Arrange an emergency appointment and carefully take your dog to the vet. If the veterinary clinic is closed, make sure to reach out to your nearest animal emergency hospital for help.
Note: An unconscious dog may wake up feeling confused or anxious which makes them aggressive. Use extra care when taking your pup to the vet for care.
Possible Causes of Collapse in Dogs
If your dog has passed out it could be due to one of any number of problems. Below are a few common cardiovascular or neurological causes:
Cardiovascular Conditions
- Arrhythmias
- Heart Failure
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Mitral valve disease
- Pericardial effusion
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Congenital heart defects
- Bradycardia (abnormally slow heartbeat)
- Tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat)
- Low cardiac output
Neurological Conditions
- Vascular disease
- Narcolepsy
- Vestibular disease
- Brain tumor
Other Conditions
- Heartworm disease
- Kidney failure
- Cancer
- Bloat
- Acute blood loss or hemorrhage
- Low blood sugar
- Drug side effects
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Seizure
- Heatstroke
Treatment for Collapsing in Dogs
Before starting any treatment, the veterinarian needs to determine the cause of the collapse. Once the diagnosis is done, your vet will start with the necessary treatment to address the underlying issue. In many cases, medications to regulate heart rate are prescribed.
If your dog has passed out. Contact Mill Creek Vet right away for immediate assistance.