Dog paralysis

The dog's paralysis causes very impressive symptoms, but unfortunately these symptoms do not tell the owner much about the origin of the problem.

In general, paralysis in dogs is indicative of spinal cord damage. These are not always irreversible, and it is essential to seek prompt veterinary care to give your dog the best chance of regaining mobility, when possible. Today, I propose to learn more about paralysis in dogs, its common causes and the best way to react when your four-legged friend seems to be affected.

 

What is paralysis in dogs?

Paralysis in dogs is a symptom consisting of a decrease or complete disappearance of the animal's ability to control part or all of its body. Generally, it occurs when the spinal cord has been damaged. The spinal cord is essential to the control of movement and sensation in the dog.

It can be compared to an electrical cable that runs from head to toe, transmitting information directly from the brain to every muscle in the body. The dog's spinal cord is commonly exposed to two types of injury that can cause paralysis: compression and infiltration.

In compression, the spinal cord is compressed by an external component. In the case of infiltration, it is an internal element that alters its tissues and its functioning. The axons, the nerve fibers that make up the spinal cord, are then destroyed or partially damaged, which can deprive the dog of its balance, its ability to move and/or its sensitivity to varying degrees: this is paralysis.

When a dog's spinal cord is damaged, the paralysis often affects its limbs and the symptoms are mainly motor. However, paralysis in dogs can be caused by other neurological disorders and does not only concern the dog's mobility, but also the muscles of its face, its esophagus, its larynx... and many other organs.

 

 

 

Why is my dog paralyzed?

The spinal cord does not deteriorate without a reason, and there are so many different causes for compression or infiltration of its tissues that it would be impossible to list them all here. It should be noted that spinal cord compression is more common than infiltration in dogs. They are most often manifested by a paralysis of the limbs, generally of the hind legs. Finally, some paralysis is caused by neurological damage and not by damage to the spinal cord.

Limb paralysis in dogs: the main causes of spinal cord compression
Disc herniation is the most common condition seen in dogs with compression paralysis of the hind limbs. It occurs when the discs in the spine deteriorate and lose their elasticity. The annulus of the disc eventually ruptures, and the nucleus escapes from its cavity and compresses the spinal cord. A herniated disc can cause acute symptoms when it occurs suddenly, for example after a jump, a false move or following a trauma, or it can cause chronic symptoms when the discs deteriorate slowly.

It is a condition that is mostly seen in long-backed dogs, such as the gentle Dachshund or the adorable Corgis. Trauma, whether it is a herniated disc, fractured vertebrae or other types of injury, is also a common cause of limb paralysis in dogs. A violent shock, a fall or even a rough jump in a fragile dog can cause enough trauma to damage the spinal cord.

Usually, the onset of paralysis is very sudden and the owner can relate it to a recent incident or a runaway of his dog during which he could have been hit by a car or suffered any other injury. Less commonly, dogs may have spinal tumors, either cancerous or benign, that can compress the spinal cord and cause paralysis. Dogs are also prone to painful intervertebral disc abscesses that can affect the spinal cord and result in paralysis.

Dog paralysis: the main causes of spinal cord infiltration in dogs
There are two types of disorders that can infiltrate the spinal cord and damage its tissues from the inside: infectious diseases, and non-infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are caused by an external pathogen, such as a bacterium, virus or parasite, which destroys the axons of the spinal cord. However, this type of pathology is still quite rare in dogs.

Non-infectious diseases are usually of autoimmune origin and are still very mysterious. The tissues of the spinal cord are usually destroyed by the dog's own white blood cells, which turn against the dog's body. Finally, there are infiltrating tumors of the spinal cord that can cause total or partial paralysis, usually in a progressive way.

Dog paralysis: the main causes of neurological damage
Some neurological diseases can also be involved in the appearance of partial or total paralysis in dogs. They can be caused by infectious diseases (botulism, rabies, distemper, etc.), but also by parasites or neurotoxics.

Tick paralysis is a very serious parasitic syndrome that manifests itself by a temporary (but potentially fatal) paralysis in dogs hypersensitive to the saliva of this parasite. Finally, many poisons contain neurotoxins that can cause total or partial paralysis in our four-legged friends.

 

Symptoms of paralysis in dogs

Paralysis in dogs is not always as easy to diagnose as one might imagine. A simple limp may indicate a spinal cord injury, which the owner may simply mistake for a sprain. A cough, breathing difficulties (dyspnea) or an intolerance to effort can indicate a paralysis of the larynx, the organ of the respiratory tract.

In the case of poisoning, paralysis may be accompanied or preceded by digestive disorders, tremors, convulsions or episodes of fever. In most cases, however, the symptoms are equivocal: the dog can no longer use the muscles of its body as usual, which visibly affects its motor functions.

When the limbs are affected, the dog tends to drag its paw as if it were a piece of rag. When the paralysis affects vital organs, the dog may have difficulty breathing, and when the digestive organs are affected, he may have difficulty eating, regurgitate his meals and/or make false trips.

 

 

Treatment and prognosis

If the treatment and prognosis of paralysis in dogs depend systematically on the disorder in question and its severity, there remains one fact that almost never varies: the earlier the dog is treated, the better his chances of recovery. Herniated discs, for example, are well treatable, but can leave lasting damage when the spinal cord has been compressed for too long (more than 48 hours).

Indeed, it should be noted that nerve tissue is not only very fragile, but also has the defect of not healing, which means that any injury is permanent. In case of poisoning, it is also necessary to run to the veterinarian so that the dog can receive anti-poison or be put on respiratory assistance while the effects of the neurotoxins wear off.

Tick paralysis, for example, usually leaves no after-effects unless the lungs have been paralyzed and the brain has been deprived of oxygen. In any case, the duration of the paralysis plays a major role in the dog's prognosis. Treatment can also be risky, as it may involve surgery to remove the cause of the problem, especially in the case of herniated discs, the most common disorder involved in paralysis in dogs.

 

FAQ

My dog is paralyzed, what should I do?
If your dog is paralyzed, don't wait to take him to a veterinarian: every minute counts to avoid him suffering from lifelong after-effects and/or succumbing. Indeed, in case of acute paralysis due to a neurotoxic agent, for example, the lesions can quickly evolve, starting with the extremities, then the limbs, and finally the vital organs (lungs, heart...). In the case of chronic paralysis, such as that caused by a degenerative herniated disc, it is also essential to act urgently: the longer the paralysis lasts, the more the damage to the spinal cord, which does not regenerate, spreads.

Why is my dog suddenly paralyzed?
If your dog is suddenly paralyzed, he has probably suffered a trauma (car accident, violent fall, etc.) that has damaged his spinal cord. It is also possible that he has been poisoned or is having an allergic reaction to a parasite bite. Whatever the origin of the problem, it is urgent to take him to a veterinarian who will diagnose the causes of his misfortune and propose an appropriate treatment.

Why is my dog paralyzed in the back legs?
There are many conditions that can cause paralysis of the back legs in dogs, but the most common is herniated discs, which can occur suddenly or gradually. Herniated discs are extremely painful for dogs, so don't wait to take your dog to the veterinarian to alleviate the pain and provide early treatment that will usually allow him to regain his mobility without sequelae.

How do I know if my dog is paralyzed?
Paralysis in dogs is a loss of control of some of their functions. If your dog limps without any apparent injury or pain, for example, he may have paralysis. The same is true if your dog regurgitates its meals or has respiratory distress: its lungs, trachea, esophagus, or larynx may all be affected by paralysis.

Paralysis in dogs is a frightening condition, but it is not necessarily fatal or irreversible, and it is essential for the owner to keep his cool in order to act correctly and offer his companion the best prognosis.

While it is important not to lose hope, it is also important not to neglect this condition which can leave lasting damage if not treated in time.