What is Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury?
Injury to the spinal cord is not uncommon in dogs, and it usually the herniation of a disc in the back caused by an accident. The injury may not seem like much at first, with moderate pain but your dog may still be able to get around just fine. This can progress to paralysis with time or the next time your dog gets a little too playful. Think of it like yourself having a slipped or herniated disc in your back. If you ignore it and think it will go away, but continue doing your regular daily activities without resting, it may get better on its own for a while. However, it will only get worse eventually when you turn the wrong way or maybe without any obvious reason at all. If you ignore your dog’s back injury, he can end up permanently paralyzed or it can even lead to death.
A spinal cord injury can be a dislocation, compression, fracture, impact, laceration, or crushing and all of these can cause enough damage to produce paralysis. The damage depends on the type of accident or trauma so your dog’s symptoms will vary. In addition, any kind of nerve damage can be complicated so even if your dog seems okay after an accident there may be an underlying spinal cord injury hiding and getting worse with every movement. With these kinds of injuries, there can be a compressed nerve, pressure on the blood vessels, or herniated disc that will get worse with time and movement.
Paralysis due to spinal cord injury is usually the result of an automobile accident, dog bite, or gunshot wound causing spinal cord tissues to be destroyed and blood vessels to rupture. Once this happens, the connection between the brain and the spinal cord is gone, causing paralysis. Whether it is permanent or temporary depends on the severity and extent of the damage to the spinal cord as well as the treatment the dog is given. Even if the dog’s primary injury is minor, the movement afterwards can cause the damage to the spinal cord to be severe. One of the most important things in a motor vehicle accident is to make sure the dog’s back and neck is kept straight and supported to decrease any additional damage.
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Symptoms of Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs
The symptoms of spinal cord injury paralysis can vary greatly depending on the type and place of injury, age and health of your dog, how long ago it happened, and the amount of movement after the accident that causes secondary damage. Some of the most common symptoms of spinal cord injury are:
- Arching of the back
- Pain when back is touched
- Inability to walk
- Not moving hind legs
- No sensation or feeling of pain in areas below the injury site
- Muscle softening in back legs
- Stiff neck
- Not turning the head
- Weakness in legs
- Dragging of the feet
- Elevating one leg
- Muscle spasms
No matter whether you see symptoms of spinal cord damage or not, if your dog has been hit by a motor vehicle (or any other traumatic incident involving the back), you should immobilize him with a board or some other hard surface to prevent any further injury to the spinal cord. Take your dog to the vet or animal hospital immediately. Do not wait to see if your dog gets better because he cannot tell you what hurts. Similar to a baby or young child being hit by a car, better to be safe than sorry. Spinal cord injuries can become fatal suddenly if your dog moves wrong or if you delay treatment.
Causes of Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs
The causes of spinal cord injury paralysis are:
- Motor vehicle accident
- Animal attack or fight
- Gunshot wound
- Any other traumatic injury
Diagnosis of Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs
The veterinarian will need to stabilize your dog and provide medical treatment immediately so the preliminary examination may be done quickly in a hospital setting by someone other than your family veterinarian. For this reason, you have to be able to provide as many details as possibly of what happened and your dog’s medical history. This includes any illnesses or injury that have happened recently, whether your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, and whether he is allergic to anything.
The veterinarian will want to take radiographs (x-rays) of your dog’s entire body to see what damage has occurred and whether emergency surgery is needed. A CT scan, ultrasound, and MRI may be necessary as well for more detailed imaging. Once your dog is stable enough the veterinarian will do blood work (i.e. CBC, blood chemistry), urinalysis, heart rate, blood pressure, and possibly a sample of spinal fluid for evaluation.
Treatment of Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs
If your dog has spinal cord injury paralysis the veterinarian may refer you to a neurologist or other specialist to perform surgery to repair the damage, if possible. If the damage is not repairable with surgery, they may decide to put your dog on cage rest while the injury heals. Previously, it was thought that any form of paralysis from spinal cord damage was permanent and unable to be repaired. Recently though, studies have shown that it is possible for the central nervous system to heal itself without any treatment besides cage rest and stabilizing the injured area. Depending on the amount and area of damage, it is possible that the spinal cord tissue can regenerate and repair the damage on its own.
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Recovery of Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs
The veterinarian will send your dog home with detailed instructions of how to care for your dog to prevent the damage from getting worse. You have to be invested in the aftercare because taking care of a paralyzed dog is similar to taking care of a child. You have to be available 24 hours a day when needed to help your dog recover from this serious injury. Your dog will be frightened and anxious, so your veterinarian may prescribe some kind of mild sedative with instructions on how and when to use it. Be sure to follow all the directions the veterinarian gives you and report anything you may think is important.
Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury Average Cost
From 35 quotes ranging from $2,000 - $12,000
Average Cost
$8,500
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Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Shih Tzu
nine
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Leg Bending When Standing
Yesterday evening during the walk he was walking slow. He looked to be walking like a person with hip issues.
This morning he woke up breathing heavily, we walked him, but when he stood still to urinate his back right leg would seem to bend and "give out". He walks on the legs but when standing for a while even to eat the leg"gives way". I've picked him up and carried him, but he has not made any noise to indicate pain.
Oct. 11, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
2 Recommendations
Hello-
Thank you for your question. Without examining him it is difficult to say exactly what is going on. Unfortunately dogs tend to be quite stoic so they don’t tend to tell us when something is painful unless it is extremely painful. The weakness is his limb could be due to a neurologic disease or an orthopedic issue. I would recommend having seen by your veterinarian for an exam and some x-rays. Once a diagnosis is reached he or she can provide an appropriate treatment plan. I hope he feels better soon!
Oct. 11, 2020
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Chihuahua
unknown
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fully Paralyzed
dog started out hunched over. Would yelp randomly sometimes when I picked her up or tried to pet her. Now she's fully paralyzed from the neck down. Tail is the only thing that kinda moves a bit. Won't hardly drink water, eats a bit when spoonfed.
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I'm sorry that is happening to your dog. She probably needs to see a veterinarian immediately, as there may be therapy that can be given to try and help her.
Oct. 9, 2020
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Indian Desi
One year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Accident Half Body Is Not Work
How can I do this so please help me
Sept. 25, 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.
I hope that your pet is okay. If they are still having any problems, 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 any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 20, 2020
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American Bully
11 weeks
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Can’T Use Back Legs In Full Effect
My puppy had trapped herself in her cage whilst trying to get out whilst I was at work. Half her body was out and the rear end of her body were trapped in against the cage. When I came to her she couldn’t use her back legs at all. After taking her to the vets we were given medication and within 2 days she has started to use one of the rear legs but the other rear leg she is starting to drag and has no real movement in it. Although when I pinch her behind the leg (weak rear leg) she does yelp so that gives me some indication that she has some feeling. What is the chances of recovery ?
July 10, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
6 Recommendations
Hello,
It is a good sign that he legs are slowly starting to get better and that she yelps when you pinch her toes. This can take a long time to recover if ever. Most do not recover to 100% but will recover enough to be able to live a normal life. Nerve issues can take months to get better. Continue giving the medication prescribed by your vet and I hope that your dog does make a full recovery.
July 10, 2020
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Pekingese mix
GracieLou
11 Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lower Limb Paralysis
My 11 yr old pekingese was hit by a car a few weeks ago. She has been unable to use her rear legs since. She has deep pain sensation, and has controlled use of her bladder and bowel movements. Her appetite is good and she is back to her usual temperament (she has an attitude!). I use a sling to "walk" her to keep her active and to do her business, and do basic physical therapy on her legs daily (massage; moving legs in a walking/bicycle movement; rolling her from side to side, etc). She seems to be improving a little every day, and I'm wondering if getting a wheelchair for her would be beneficial, or should I wait to see if her legs get more strength and/or she begins walking on her own? She is mainly on "bed rest" unless she's out doing her business or we're doing therapy. Should we continue with status quo or invest in a wheelchair? Would wheels help or hinder her in terms of wanting to use her legs?
Aug. 26, 2018
7 Recommendations
A wheelchair will help with mobility without a doubt, but will make Gracie Lou dependent on it and she may not be encouraged to use her legs; without examining her myself I cannot determine whether she has a chance of using her legs again or not so you should discuss with your Veterinarian. Also, think about the cost, proper wheelchairs for dogs are not cheap as they are usually custom made. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 27, 2018
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Dachshund
Molly
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Partial Paralysis In Hind Legs
My 8 year old dachshund was showing symptoms of a hurt back we took her to the vet they injected anti inflammatory and sent her home with meds later that night she tried to get up and her back legs gave out at that point she was crying out in pain we took her to the er they injected her with pain medication and gave her x rays that showed she has mineralization, narrowing and arthritis in her disc spaces they sent her home with more pain medication and anti inflammatories. She has since then lost all control of her bladder and bowel movements. I took her back to her vet for a follow up 3 days ago and they said she appeared more inflamed he again injected her with anti inflammatory and sent her home with steroids at this point and said she may need to see a neurologist if i dont see improvement in 3 days it is now 3 days there are no specialist in my area only one close is 5 hours away and i dont know how financially im going to be able to pay for any of her medical needs at this point can anyone be brutally honest with me as to where to go from here? My babygirl doesnt eat as much she looks depressed throughout the day and i think she is having muscle spasms because every now and then she will let out a cry that sounds like shes in pain.
Golden Retriever
Sully
14 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
Paralysis
Bowels Normal
Eating And Drinking
My 1 year old English Cream was run over by car in our driveway when a friend was backing up. He has no feeling from his waist down, when poked with a 20gage needle. He still has bowel movements, is eating and drinking. After 24 hours he shows few signs that when tickling his back paw he has a reflex, Although he does not appear to show any signs of feeling it. He is still at the vet and the minimal 4K just for an MRI, not including surgery is not an option for us. Can he be severly swollen and recover through rest? The Vet wants to monitor him for at least 5 days before we determine next steps since we declined the MRI direction. Any thoughts? Advice please my heart is breaking! He is a gentle giant (100lbs) and so loveable!
Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury Average Cost
From 35 quotes ranging from $2,000 - $12,000
Average Cost
$8,500
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