Home Treatment for Dog Stroke Recovery: Natural Remedies and Support

| Modified on Apr 18, 2023
Cayenne

Dogs can experience strokes, although they are less common than in humans. A stroke in a dog can be caused by a broken blood vessel or blood clot that disrupts blood flow to the brain. If your dog exhibits symptoms such as lethargy, loss of bowel or bladder control, balance issues, or changes in eyesight, consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

After stabilizing your dog, you can use natural remedies such as diet, exercise, and supplements to support their recovery.

Natural Herbs and Supplements for Stroke Recovery in Dogs

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is an affordable herb that can help with stroke prevention. Start by adding a small amount to your dog's food and gradually increase the quantity as they become accustomed to the heat. For a large dog, a maximum of 1/4-1/2 teaspoons per day should suffice.

Turmeric

Turmeric is another helpful herb with blood-thinning, blood-purifying, and anti-inflammatory properties. Like cayenne pepper, you can add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric to your dog's food daily, allowing them to adjust to the taste.

Serrapeptase

Serrapeptase is a supplement that aids in dissolving non-living tissue and is believed to help dissolve blood clots. With blood-thinning properties and minimal side effects, serrapeptase should be taken on an empty stomach according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Ginkgo Biloba 

This herbal supplement is known for improving blood circulation, which can help oxygen and nutrients reach the brain more efficiently. Ginkgo Biloba may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties supporting overall brain health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Found in fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and promote healthy blood circulation. They also support brain and heart health, which can be beneficial for dogs recovering from a stroke.

Vitamin E

This antioxidant can help protect brain cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E also supports healthy blood flow and can be found in natural sources such as nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) 

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps support cardiovascular health, including circulation and heart function. It may also improve energy production in cells, which can be beneficial for dogs recovering from a stroke.

Hawthorn

This herb is known for strengthening the heart and improving blood circulation. It may help to normalize blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart, which can be helpful for dogs recovering from a stroke.

Acupuncture 

Acupuncture can be an effective natural treatment for dogs recovering from a stroke. It involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and improve blood flow.

Share Your Experiences with Natural Remedies for Dog Stroke Recovery

If your dog has experienced a stroke, we would love to hear about the natural remedies you've used to support their recovery. Please share your experiences to help other pet owners navigate this challenging time. Continue below to learn which natural remedies have helped dogs recover from a stroke.




CBD, Salmon and Turmeric

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
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Posted by Moo (BREWSTER) on 11/13/2022
★★★★★

My 12 year old dog had a stroke and I have been giving her cbd oil...salmon oil..and turmeric...exercise and love...and she is doing great!


DMSO

1 User Review
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Posted by Concerned (Georgia) on 03/06/2023

My Blue (Dog) just had a Stroke we believe yesterday. He falls when he gets up. He actually did this before so I believe he was having mini-strokes before. I knew his hips in the rear end have arthritis. He won't eat or drink nothing now. I have given him herbs and health food his whole life of 13 years. I will try other herbs on his tongue.

Replied by DL
(NC)
03/06/2023
★★★★★

So sorry. Look into the DMSO remedy for strokes. You can part the fur on his neck and also apply it to clean paw pads to get it in his system if he's not eating or drinking. Cayenne might be another helpful remedy for strokes but that will be tricky if you can't get it in food. Be very careful if your dog is having problems swallowing.

Here is one review on Earth Clinic for DMSO. The dosage is for people, so you'd have to adjust down for your dog.

Posted by Jeroen van P. (Amsterdam) on 02/10/2021
5 out of 5 stars

For Strokes: DMSO - one tablespoon in 30cc water every 15 minutes for 2 hours, then one every hour for 2 days. Will fix circulation extremely fast.

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/stroke.html#dmso

Replied by Concerned
(Georgia)
03/07/2023

Thank you for Blue. He ate a little Basmatti White Rice yesterday night. No food this morning but I did forcibly put a drop of Arnica on his tongue this morning. My wife said yesterday Blue drank a whole bowl of water and walked slowly. He still reacts when cats are around him. He still barks when someone is at the door. I will try the DMSO. His balance is still no good because he can't shake his body without falling on the hardwood floor. I was giving him Coenzyme vitamins everyday. Thanks John


Homeopathy

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Posted by Maggie (Idaho) on 03/09/2016 36 posts
★★★★★

My little dog fell and had a stroke. Right after she fell she was walking around so I knew nothing was broken, in fact, I thought everything was fine. A few minutes later she had the stroke and at first I thought she had died. She got stiff and then couldn't walk, her head turned to one side and then she was limp. She's 15 years old so I just held her and waited for her to die.

She stayed with me so I went online to see if there were any home remedies and found one that used homeopathy. I didn't follow the online remedy exactly but used what homeopathic remedies they had used and I had on hand. She wasn't eating so I gave her electrolytes every hour but not at the same time as the homeopathic remedies.

The second day was about the same except that I spaced the homeopathic remedies out every 3 hours. The third day I gave her 1 dose of arnica around noon and one of aconitum in the evening. The fourth day she got 1 dose of arnica. From the beginning, she seemed to be cold so I put a dog sweater on her and even a heating pad under her bed and several layers of towels and covered her with a baby blanket. She also couldn't walk. {C}When she started eating again, she had diarrhea so gave her yogurt and sweet potatoes and winter squash since I didn't have pumpkin. It helped a little but she didn't want to eat so I added a little canned dog food to her yogurt and sweet potatoes and the diarrhea came back. It finally stopped when I gave her nothing but dried dog food. A week and a half later she's back to the way she was before her stroke. You would never know anything had happened to her.

  • 11 am - arnica montana 200c, 6-8 tiny pills
  • 1 pm - phosphorous 200c, about 6-8 tiny pills and arnica again
  • 2 pm - aconitum napellus 30c, 1 pill
  • 5 pm - arnica
  • 8 pm - aconitum
  • 11 pm - phosphorous
  • 1:30 - aconitum

Maggie

Replied by Deanna
(Ky)
02/25/2017

Where did u find these pills, my dog has just experienced the same thing.

Replied by Maggie
(Idaho)
02/25/2017
36 posts

You can buy the homeopathic remedies at a health food store or at the vitamin stores online. Just type homeopathic remedies on your computer and you'll find a lot of results.

Dissolve the pills in a tiny bit of water and give with a syringe without the needle. The tiny round pills take a while to dissolve but the flat pills dissolve fast. Good Luck.

Replied by KIMBERLY
(TX)
10/31/2022

Maggie - you mentioned you found a site that used homeopathy remedies as an alternative treatment and that you modified the remedies. Can you tell me where you found the original posting/website?

I have a dog that just a stroke as well that sounds very similar. He has underlying conditions as well (diabetes and cushings).

Thanks!

-kimberly

Maggie
(Idaho)
10/31/2022
36 posts

It's been so long ago that I'm not sure where I found the information but found this in my bookmarks and I think this must have been it. "Miraculous recovery from a stroke and paralysis" at https://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/AnimalWellness/Shasta2 If for some reason you can't access the site, let me know and I'll copy the article for you. Good Luck.


Milk Thistle

1 User Review
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Posted by Phyllis (Tuscumbia, Alabama) on 08/26/2017
★★★★★

Vitacost has a good selection of herbs in liquid. George my little Boston Terrier just had a stroke. He's had seizures for years and he was bad enough that I had to let the vet to give him a steroid injection and he'll be on Prednisone for 10 days. Of course I'll treat him naturally after that but considering his existing condition I'm not willing to take the risk of not having him under his vets care right now. I've had him and his daughter Tina on milk thistle since natural methods weren't enough to control their severe seizure conditions. I had to put them on Phenobarbital and I had liquid milk thistle ordered before the vet called the prescription in. Poor Tina has been on Keppra also since being in the hospital 4 days last year following nearly 28 hours of seizure activity. Now George will have to be to after the seizure that caused the stroke. But I'm very happy to know that the milk thistle is so effective. His blood work showed that his liver is functioning perfectly and the Phenobarbital has not caused any damage. Tina's blood work always comes back with the same results. I hate having to give them pharmaceutical meds but I'm glad that I can at least protect their livers.


Multiple Remedies

Posted by Cherie (California) on 04/09/2017

Aspirin bone broth coconut oil and kombucha so far. She won't take solids. She's staggering, eyes darting, drooling one side, one eye won't shut. Any advice before having a vet look tomorrow.

Replied by Winter
(Central Texas)
04/21/2017

We are trying DMSO. We put a capful in water dish off and on and the pets seem to love it. So trying that this morning but so far she is not wanting anything. Also, we will apply DMSO 50% dilution to her head. She has thick fur, so using an eye dropper to apply beneath the fur and rub in a bit. DMSO has shown to help elderly patients after a stroke. The sooner the better though. Best within 12 hours of onset. Also trying to get her to take a cayenne capsule wrapped in a bit of cheese as that has shown some benefit in people after a stroke. Now we are putting it in God's hands. She is elderly and she may be ready to go. Hope everything is looking up for your pet! Blessings