Concussion

I just picked up my puppy from the vet, She hit her head in a fall last night and from was very disoriented. She never lost stopped breathing or threw up. Her vet explained that she had a mild concussion and wanted to keep her over night for observation and to administer medication. I picked her up and she seemed like her normal self she was playing and running around. She is very young and is wobbly in general but I noticed that she is very sleepy and a little more wobbly than usual. I want to know if this is part of the recovery and will she continue to get better. The emergency  vet wasn't very helpful when I asked her questions.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Dear AlyssaLuvsAbbi,

A blow on the head is capable of bruising the brain and this is especially true in a young animal which still has unfused skull bones. Moreso, in breeds with skulls shaped as that of a Chihuahua, the fontanelles, or spaces between the unfused skull bones are larger than in some other more typically conformed dogs (like a lab or poodle say).

Signs of concussion may include depression (sleepiness, lethargy) "cranial nerve signs" which include abnormalities of muscles and structures supplied by nerves that leave the brain directly (rather than the spinal cord as in the rest of the body). Such structures include eyes, ears, lips, tongue, eyelinds and others. Seizures may occur if the concussion has been severe enough. Brain swelling may lead to a variety of signs and may have long term consequences.

I would not delay in having a followup, detailed neurologic examination ASAP.
In people, MRI is often used to rule out serious brain injury. This is possible in pets, but is often less available in some areas and even less often recommended.

Ideally, see a Board certified neurologist, or at least an internist.
One may be near you in the list below from the ACVIM website:

Dr. Janice McIntosh Bright Colorado State University Ft. Collins CO
Dr. Karin L. Cannizzo Southern Colorado Vet. Internal MedicineColorado Springs CO
Dr. Kelly J. Diehl Veterinary Referral Ctr. of Colorado Greenwood Village CO
Dr. Kristy L. Dowers Colorado State University Bellvue CO
Dr. Brad Linn Hines Southern Colorado Vet. Int. Med. Colorado Springs CO
Dr. Steffanie Garlock Jacobson Gunnison CO
Dr. Leonard David Jonas Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists Denver CO
Dr. Michael R. Lappin Colorado State University Ft. Collins CO
Katharine Lunn Colorado State University Laporte CO
Dr. Dennis W. Macy Cancer Care Specialist Ft. Collins CO
Dr. Michelle L. Marsh Animal Emergency & Specialty Center Parker CO
Dr. Christopher McReynolds Colorado Springs CO
Dr. Ellen Miller Fort Collins CO
Dr. Carrie J. Miller Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists Denver CO
Dr. Jennifer M. Pearson Highlands Ranch CO
Dr. Lauren C. Prause Peaks Veterinary Internists Windsor CO
Dr. Ji-Yeun Rha Denver CO
Dr. Rod A. W. Rosychuk Colorado State University Ft. Collins CO


Very best regards and good luck,
Please let us know how it turns out.

Sincerely

Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS
MedHelp