Dogs can experience paralysis due to multiple issues at any stage in life. There are three different kinds of canine paralysis that can occur: Tetraplegia - your dog has lost movement in all of his legs, Paraplegia - your dog cannot move his back legs, and Paresis - your dog is partially paralyzed and has difficulty moving around. When one of these conditions occurs you may notice your dog refusing to get up or walking with only the front legs while the back legs drag on the ground. If you notice that your dog no longer has the ability to move his legs or has a difficult time walking around, you will want to get him to the vet as soon as possible in order to diagnose the underlying issue. 

When canine paralysis is taken care of soon enough, the affected dog can live a full life with proper care and medications. However, paralysis can be permanently damaging or deadly if not addressed immediately so it is extremely important to get professional help the moment you realize your dog may have symptoms of being unable to move.

If your dog has recently been involved in a traumatic event, such as being hit by a car, being unable to move may be explained by that trauma. However, there are many reasons why canine paralysis can occur that are not as easy to distinguish. A few of these causes are tick bites, intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), bacterial infections like rabies or tetanus, and tumors. Any of these underlying issues may cause your dog to become unable to walk, have trouble moving around normally, experience constipation, and more. 

These nasty little bugs can be found virtually everywhere, especially in heavily wooded areas, and have a rather unfortunate bite. If your dog is bitten by a tick that contains this toxin, the toxin can be passed into the bloodstream of the dog and may lead to paralysis. In most cases, the toxin causes symptoms such as vomiting and slow movement. But, in a rare event, immediate paralysis can occur. If you notice that your dog has been bitten by a tick and is showing signs of paralysis, get him to the vet immediately as this paralysis can be fatal. 

This disease is most commonly found in dogs with long bodies such as the Dachshund. In older dogs, or dogs that experience spinal trauma or some kind, IVDD can result in the paralysis of the hind legs. When the dog’s spine experiences ruptured cushioning disks (located between each of the vertebrae) the disks press against the spinal nerves, causing pain and possible paralysis. IVDD has the possibility of being treated with medications provided by your veterinarian that can help your dog to overcome the injury and continue living a comfortable life, but some situations require surgery.   

Viral or bacterial infections 

Infections such as tetanus or rabies can be a factor when it comes to a dog being unable to move. As these infections are often fatal, treatment by your veterinarian is recommended.

If a tumor develops on your dog’s spine paralysis might occur. A tumor causing paralysis may occur slowly.  It is of the utmost importance to get your dog medical help when a tumor is the issue. 

All of these causes are extremely dangerous, and while some may cause paralysis slowly and can be reversed, each one can be deadly. See a vet immediately if you notice your dog showing any signs of loss of mobility.

If your dog becomes unable to move, it is very important to get them medical attention and carefully monitor them. Depending on the severity and underlying cause of the canine paralysis, the effects may be able to be reversed. If, however, the paralysis has passed the point of reversibility, your dog will need constant care and medications in order to live a happy and comfortable life. 

Be sure to talk with your vet about the best treatment for your dog depending on the diagnosis. If your dog is paralyzed he will need special care and help with doing things he no longer can do for himself, such as grooming and being taken outside to use the restroom. Incontinence can occur so the purchase of products such as potty mats may be useful in this situation.  Euthanasia may be the kindest option in some of these situations.  

Due to the fact that paralysis, partial and full, can come from a number of different causes it can be a difficult thing to prevent. One thing that you can do is try to protect your pet from things such as ticks, trauma, and viral or bacterial infections. 

When preventing tick bites you want to steer clear of things such as tick collars and tick bombs. A few ways that you can prevent ticks in a healthy way is to:

To avoid trauma, do not allow your dog to roam free when on a walk. Keep them on a leash at all times and when they are out playing in the yard, be sure to have a fence and a locked gate to prevent them from running out into the road. Being hit by a car can cause serious trauma to your dog’s body and can result in paralysis and even death. 

An infection such as rabies or tetanus is a serious disease. If your pet is bitten by an animal that you may suspect had rabies, get him to the vet immediately in order to be quarantined and receive a rabies booster. In order to try and prevent rabies, be sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date.

Treatment cost will vary depending on the cause of your dog’s paralysis. For instance, if your dog is diagnosed with tick paralysis, the cost of treatment will be an average cost of $2100. If your dog is diagnosed with spinal trauma, treatment will be between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the severity of the injury.