What are Leg Paralysis?
Peripheral spinal nerve damage is often the cause of leg paralysis. This can have a spiral effect, causing secondary damage, pain, and loss of nerve connection to the muscles, leading them to wither. Conditions that can affect the nerves and cause paralysis include injuries, infections, muscle or spinal conditions, or severe toxic exposures to certain chemicals. Paralysis can be partial or full, affecting one or all four legs. While some conditions can be remedied through surgery, others may not be able to be treated and will require supportive, lifelong care as the limb will not be functional.
Leg paralysis in dogs occurs when one or more legs lose the ability to function. Often seen as limping or dragging of the limb in dogs, it can point to nerve or muscular damage. This can lead to destruction of the nerve sheaths, tissue decay, joint and muscle damage, or atrophy as the affected dog loses the ability to flex or move that limb.
Leg Paralysis Average Cost
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Average Cost
$5,000
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Symptoms of Leg Paralysis in Dogs
Symptoms of leg paralysis in dogs include:
- Inability to flex joint in affected leg
- Inability to bear weight on affected leg
- Pain
- Lameness
- Weakness
- Abnormal gait
- Shift in weight
- Limb dragging
- Horner’s syndrome, or issues with the eye on the same side as affected limb
Types
- Front leg paralysis is often caused by damage to the neck and shoulder nerve roots, or in the radial, median or ulnar nerves in the affected leg
- Hind leg paralysis is associated with nerve root damage in the tailbone or lower back, or in the tibial, femoral, peroneal, or sciatic nerve in the affected leg
Causes of Leg Paralysis in Dogs
Conditions that can cause leg paralysis can include:
- Neurological condition
- Musculoskeletal condition
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Tumor
- Viral diseases, including distemper and rabies
- Fungal diseases
- Protozoal diseases, such as neosporosis
- Tick toxicity
- Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis
- Injuries and trauma
- Severe exposure to pesticides and insecticides containing organophosphates
Diagnosis of Leg Paralysis in Dogs
Cases of leg paralysis can offer a myriad of causes, and your veterinarian will take into consideration many factors when coming to a positive diagnosis of this condition. Observations including your dog’s gait and posture, any pain present, conditions of muscles in the affected limb, and spinal reflexes can help to locate the source of injury. Recovery is better the closer the associated nerve damage is to the muscle. Your veterinarian will also look at how well your dog can flex an associated joint, reflexes in other places in the leg, and how well he can bear weight on that limb. Electrical stimulation can be used to see if the nerve is still intact.
Information that can help guide your veterinarian to a correct diagnosis of the cause of the paralysis can include any signs noticed, exposure to pesticides or insecticides, exposure to other animals, exposure to tick ridden areas, and medical history. Other tests that can provide valuable information include CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, myelography, surgical biopsies, blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid tests, tissue samples, physical examination, and the visible presence of a tick or skin crater.
Treatment of Leg Paralysis in Dogs
Treatment of leg paralysis is often targeted at the underlying cause. Many joint and muscle issues can be remedied through surgery and supportive care. When the cause is nerve related, recovery will depend on the nerve sheath condition and the distance between the injury and where the nerve ends. While some nerve damage can resolve over many weeks or months, more severe cases can require surgical reattachment. A light bandage is often applied to the affected limb during recovery, and a sling can be added to prevent the leg from dragging. Supplementary care includes giving your dog massages, applying heat and stretching the tendons to keep them healthy while the nerve regenerates. Acupuncture may be prescribed.
In the case of tumors, surgery might be used for removal. Nerve sheath tumors can affect many nerves at once, and can be more difficult to remove. Recovery for this type of tumor is poor.
Viral diseases have no treatment, and recovery is poor in affected animals. Fungal infections can be difficult to treat, and recovery might be uncertain. Very severe cases of tick toxicity can call for artificial ventilation. Treatment involves tick removal and antibiotics, and recovery is often good.
With granulomatous meningoencephalo-myelitis, dogs can temporarily improve with drug therapies, but long term recovery is guarded. There are no treatments for degenerative myelopathy, and often supportive care is all that can be done. This is through physical rehabilitation, pressure sore prevention, monitoring for conditions like urinary infections, and creating an increased mobility with harnesses and carts.
In some cases, amputation of the paralyzed leg may be recommended. Many three-legged dogs can live happy and functional lives.
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Recovery of Leg Paralysis in Dogs
The recovery of leg paralysis in your dog will depend entirely on the underlying condition and the state of any damaged nerves involved. While there is a good chance of recovery in many cases with supportive care, surgery and other treatments, there are conditions without treatments available. In cases of a viral infection, prevention through vaccination is the best course to ensure your dog is not affected.
Your veterinarian will create a treatment and recovery plan based on your dog’s specific condition, which may include home supportive care and monitoring. In the case of degenerative myelopathy, efforts will be focused towards creating a better quality of life for your dog during the progression of the disease.
Leg Paralysis Average Cost
From 450 quotes ranging from $800 - $10,000
Average Cost
$5,000
Top
Leg Paralysis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Golden Retriever
Fourteen Years
25 found this helpful
25 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Painful Urination
Right now when she walks she moves her back left back leg limping on it and her right leg can’t put pressure on it..
Feb. 6, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
25 Recommendations
Hello, She could have arthritis or other hip or joint issues. If she is not able to walk, it would be best for your dog to see a vet right away. Some issues require immediate treatment for them to be able to walk again. There are not any good over the counter pain medications for dogs. You can make him rest and not allow him to move much to see if this is just a pulled muscle.
Feb. 6, 2021
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Labrador Corso
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Semi Paralysis
1)what is healthy for a semi paralyzed dog to eat for fast recovery?
2)How to heal a semi paralysed dog?
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Without knowing why your dog is paralyzed, or what part of the body is not functioning, I cannot comment on how to help It would be best to have your dog seen by a veterinarian, as they can assess your dog and see what might help.
Oct. 7, 2020
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Labrador Retriever
Three Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Left Hind Leg Not Using
He is not using his back legs... weakness is there...and while sitting it is difficult to yse back legs( partcularly left) though when initiated walking...walking slowly
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 16, 2020
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Cane Corso
Five Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Paralyzed
My boy already has problems with his hips and while turning around in our van yelped and ever since then his left hind leg doesn't work. He is peeing without realizing it and sometimes pooping without knowledge.
Aug. 2, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
So sorry to hear about your dog. There are many reasons that your dog could have these issues. Not walking should see a vet right away as the quicker you start treating these issues the more likely that your dog will return to normal.
Aug. 2, 2020
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Border Collie
Thirteen Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Paralysed Front Leg
my dog got all of the sudden paralyzed. Her front left leg has a snake bite. She is very alert and calm, she just can't walk.
July 27, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Good morning-
Thank you for your question. I would recommend taking her to the veterinarian immediately. They can assess the leg, perform x-rays, and get her medication to help with her pain and a treatment plan for you. I hope she feels better soon.
July 27, 2020
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Shih Tzu
Luca Toni
4 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain When Lifted
My dog (Toni) fell over his back trying to jump, he didn't presented any pain or problem during the first 12 hours, the next day he slowly lost all mobility over his back legs and also was in a lot of pain, since I'm out of town in a very small city (due to the quarantine) I wasn't able to take him to a clinic, so I took him to the closest vet, he was injected complex B and corticosteroids, they also gave me antiinflammatories.
It's been 4 days, the pain doesn't go away and now he lost 100% sensation plus he can't control his bladder.
I really don't know what to do, since here there're traffic restrictions, should I get surgical attention as soon as I can? What are the odds of my dog regaining any mobility or control over his bladder? Is therapy a good option?
Thank you much to whoever has the time to read this :)
English Mastiff
CC
8 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hind Leg Paralysis
I just got an 8 week old English mastiff puppy and the day I got her, the owner I received her from had other puppies too and placed them all together on her way to the vet to get their shots. Apparently one of the other puppies was lying on top of CC’s hind leg the entire drive to the vet (which could’ve been anywhere from 20-40 minutes) and after they got the puppies out of the vehicle, CC could not move her hind since. She does not walk or put pressure on it at all. The vet took an x ray and said nothing is broken. It has been almost a day and she is still not attempting to walk on it at all. Is she going to recover fine or could something more serious be wrong?
Pomeranian
Baby
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Leg
Limp Legs
So a the moment my dog (7 years) was brutally hit by a truck right outside my house :'( and his legs are swollen and limp. It seems as though he doesn't feel any pain (which is why i'm worried about any spinal/nerve damage). He is secured in one of our laundry baskets and in company of my sister who is blabbering on what to do. We had recently paid a large bill for another pet of ours that was taken to the emergency room and money is in a tight spot/ which is why we haven't taken him to the vet yet. Is there anything to suggest on what we should do? Are his limp legs are a sign of something or if this will affect his need to release his inner demons?
Leg Paralysis Average Cost
From 450 quotes ranging from $800 - $10,000
Average Cost
$5,000
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
