Paralysis in Dogs

The total loss of muscle function, of one or more than one group of muscles, that results in a loss of feeling and mobility in that particular area of the body, is known as paralysis. Paralysis occurs sue to spinal cord injuries that lead to damaged nerves. It can be either localized or generalized. This immobilizing condition is commonly seen affecting pet dogs. Paralysis is a major dog health problem, that is faced by many dog owners.

Paralysis in dogs can occur due to many reasons, like the age of the dog, dog breed, nerve damage, degenerative disks, ticks, bacterial or viral infections, etc. The most commonly seen paralysis in dogs is the back leg paralysis in dogs. The animal is normal from the spinal cord injury upwards, but becomes paralyzed downward from the point of damage or injury. Such animals, with hind leg paralysis, are known as 'downers'. Let us understand the various causes of paralysis in dogs. Know more on dog health.

Causes of Paralysis in Dogs
It is very important to identify the causes of paralysis in dogs as early as possible, to give appropriate treatment and pet care, to help the dog to overcome the paralysis, without affecting the quality of life the dog leads. Although, paralysis is mostly a permanent disorder, proper management of this condition can help reduce the stress and pain, the dog may be suffering from. The following causes of paralysis in dogs are commonly observed:

Facial Nerve Paralysis in Dogs
The abnormality of the facial nerve (the 7th cranial nerve) leads to improper functioning of the muscles that are associated with the facial expressions, and this condtition is known as the facial nerve paralysis in dogs. The causes are idiopathic in most cases of paralysis in dogs. The inflammation of the otitis media-interna (inner and middle ear) is the most common cause of facial paralysis in dogs. The other factors that lead to facial paralysis in dogs, is any trauma, surgery of the ear, neuromuscular diseases, cancer or inflammatory diseases affecting the central nervous system of the dog. A dog suffering from facial paralysis exhibits the following symptoms:

• Inability to blink
• Discharge and irritation in the eye
• Lips drooping
• The food is dropped from the mouth
• Excessive salivation
• Dropping of ears when in upright ear conformation
• Tilting of head
• The pupil size becomes asymmetrical
• Uncoordinated gait or Ataxia
• Generalized weakness
• Nystagmus, that is, abnormal movement of the eye
• The orbital fissures show asymmetry, that is, one eye appears larger than the other.

There is no specific treatment available to cure facial nerve paralysis in dogs. The vet may be able to treat the underlying disease that led to this paralysis in dogs. An eye lubricant may be advised to avoid corneal damage. You should administer all the medications and ophthalmic lubricants advised by the vet, to minimize any further complications. Facial nerve paralysis in dogs is commonly observed in cocker spaniels. Proper ear care is advised to minimize the chances of facial nerve paralysis in dogs. Know more about cocker spaniels.

Ischemic Myelopathy
The spinal cord requires permanent and non-stop blood supply to carry out the various functions it does, just like any other organ of the body. Arteries supply blood to the spinal cord and any blockage in the artery may result in stopping the blood supply to the specific region of the spinal cord. This blockage may be due to a tumor, fat or fibrocartilaginous fragment of the invertebral disc. Ischemic myelopathy is the main reason for acute paralysis in dogs. This condition can lead to back leg paralysis in dogs, on either side or both sides, depending on the portion of spinal cord affected.

Ischemic myelopathy in dogs has no specific treatment. It is possible that many dogs recover within a few weeks, as soon as they regain the ability to feel pain in their feet. Complete paralysis in dogs may take a couple of weeks to improve or the dog may even never recover. This is a type of sudden paralysis in dogs that may not exhibit any symptoms and may take about 24 hours to completely immobilize the dog.

Degenerative Disk Disease
The rubber-like cushions between the vertebrae allow the bones in the back to move up, down and sideways. The disk is made of two parts, the outer thick shell-like covering of tough fibers and the central part with a consistency of thick toothpaste. The degeneration of the outer shell, causes the disk to rupture. This is a spontaneous effect known as degenerative disk disease and affects dogs of different breeds, like dachshunda, poodles, pekinese, Lhaso apso and cocker spaniels. There is a low incidence of this disease in dog breeds like German shepherds and doberman pinscher. Degeneration occurs gradually, causing a lot of pain to the dog. The dog becomes reluctant to move and lies in one place for few days to allow the body to heal itself. Degenerative disk disease may cause total paralysis in some dogs within an hour or some dogs may be able to walk around normally.

This disease occurs in stages with different repercussions, as the stages advance. In stage I the dog may feel pain which may get healed by itself. In stage II, there is severe pain in the lumbar and neck region. Stage III leads to partial paralysis with an uncoordinated gait of the dog. Stage IV causes paralysis in dogs, without losing the ability feel. Stage V is the advanced stage with complete paralysis in dog and total loss of feeling. These stages vary dog to dog and the advancement may take a period of few hours to few days. Anti-inflammatory drugs, pain killers or surgery may be advised to treat degenerative disk disease.

Tick Paralysis in Dogs
A dog infected with the Dermacentor tick found in America, can fall prey to paralysis. This is because the female ticks have a neurotoxin in their saliva, that leads to tick paralysis in dogs. The symptoms of tick paralysis in dogs are:

• Loss of control of throat and voice box
• Regurgitation and vomiting
• With the progression of disease, back leg paralysis in dogs is observed.
• The weakness or paralysis spreads from the spine towards the head.
• There is complete paralysis in dogs at the later stage, leading to respiratory problems.

You should take good care regarding the hygiene of your dog and use anti-tick products to keep your dog tick free. Consult the vet regarding the various available options to keep ticks away. The best way to prevent hind legs paralysis in dogs is to carry out a monthly flea and tick treatment for your dog. Know more on dog care.

Bacterial and Viral Infections in Dogs
Meningitis is the most common bacterial infection that causes back leg paralysis in dogs. Rabies and distemper are viral diseases that lead to inflammation of the brain and cause hind leg paralysis in dogs. If you observe vomiting, fever or respiratory disorders in your dog, consult a vet immediately and take proper treatment to prevent paralysis in dogs.

A owner with a paralytic dog needs to be patient and understanding with the suffering animal. This is the time when your best friend really, really needs your support. Just as your dog loved you selflessly in his good days, this is the time for you to give back the love you received. You have always treated your dog as a part of family, continue taking care of a paralytic dog just as you would for a human family member. Make sure you feed him regularly, help him when he needs to urinate and defecate, give his medications on time and take him for his regular physical therapy and exercises. As the dog has always given you his commitment and dedication, do not feel weary of showering your affection and support, on your loyal and faithful paralytic dog.