Is your dog showing signs of paralysis? What does this mean and what could have caused it? Paralysis is a scary symptom in a pet. If your dog is experiencing sudden onset paralysis, especially if you’re unsure what could be causing it, see an emergency vet right away.

Read on to find out more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of full or partial paralysis in dogs.

Defining paralysis in dogs

So, what do we mean when we discuss paralysis in dogs? This generally refers to a dog's inability to move a limb or limbs. Depending on the cause, it can also affect other areas. For example, an accident affecting a spinal cord disc could cause severe neck pain, thus restricting head and neck movements.

Partial and full paralysis in dogs

Paralysis can be full or partial, which can sometimes progress to full paralysis.

Partial paralysis in dogs

A dog with partial paralysis may appear wobbly when they walk, drag their hind legs and show overall weakness. 

If a dog suffers from front-leg paralysis, it could indicate nerve damage in the neck or shoulder area. Movement of limbs may seem uncoordinated. This is due to the brain having some, but not full, signal communication with the nerves and limbs. 

Full paralysis in dogs

In full paralysis, there is a complete disruption in the signals that fire between the brain, spinal cord, limbs, and the nerves, This causes lack of control or movement of limbs. It may show as paraplegia, the dragging of the rear limbs, or tetraplegia, which is when a dog cannot move all four limbs

Below is a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms that indicate paralysis. 

Important: whenever paralysis comes on suddenly, it's a medical emergency.

There are a number of reasons for a dog to have full or partial paralysis. Read on for causes and when it's an emergency. VEG is open 24/7 to care for your pet's emergency.

Symptoms of paralysis in dogs

Listed below are signs and symptoms a paralyzed dog may show:

Dog with full or partial inability to move legs

If your dog is not able to move any of their legs, or if they cannot move at least one of them, they may be experiencing full or partial paralysis.

A paralyzed dog may be unable to urinate

Dogs who are paralyzed may have difficulty urinating. This is because they cannot squat or lift a leg to urinate, which makes it uncomfortable for them to try.

Paralysis may cause dog to lose bladder control

Incontinence may occur in dogs with full or partial paralysis, especially those with a spinal cord injury. Dogs may be unable to hold their urine and may dribble as they walk. They may be unable to hold their feces as well, or conversely, they may become constipated instead.

Dragging hind legs is a sign of a paralysis in dogs

Dragging the back legs could also be a serious sign of an aortic embolus. Although this is more common in cats than in dogs, it can still happen to dogs in very rare situations. This type of blood clot can quickly become fatal if left untreated.

What causes paralysis in dogs?

A dog can become paralyzed for various reasons. Some of the main causes of paralyzation in canines are listed below:

Dog paralyzed due to spinal injury

Any type of injury or degenerative condition that affects the spine can lead to paralysis. Dogs with sudden, acute injuries may experience sudden onset paralysis. On the other hand, dogs with chronic spinal issues may have paralysis that progressively worsens.

Certain cancers can lead to paralysis in dogs

Cancer of the brain or spinal cord can often contribute to a loss of motor skills in dogs. Sometimes, this can present itself as a lack of ability to move one or more of the legs. Many dogs with brain tumors will show a variety of other symptoms too, including confusion and seizures.

Blood clot may cause paralyzation in a dog

A clot in one of the major blood vessels, such as an aortic thromboembolism, can reduce blood flow to limbs and organs. Dogs with clots can have progressive loss of control over their back legs. Their back legs may feel painful and cold to the touch.

Accidents can cause a dog’s paralysis

Injury from an accident can cause trauma, which can lead to paralysis. Falls, car accidents, and other accidents can affect a dog’s spinal cord, spinal discs and vertebrae. Blood pooling and clotting around the injury can block appropriate blood flow, which can cause acute paralysis.

Anytime your pet is involved in an accident, even if you don’t notice any visible signs of injury, it’s always important to get them examined by a vet. 

Advanced degenerative myelopathy can cause dog's paralysis

This genetic disease affects senior dogs, with symptoms progressing gradually. Early signs include dragging of hind limbs and difficulty rising to a standing position. Through its later stages, degenerative myelopathy will present as inability to stand, incontinence, and immobility of the forelegs resulting in full paralysis.  

Your dog will receive prompt, compassionate care from our emergency vets. Bring your dog to any of VEG's 24-hour hospitals and we'll address your dog's paralysis right away.

Treatment for paralyzed dog

The main treatment methods for paralyzed dogs are listed below: 

Pain medication for paralyzed dogs

Perhaps the most common treatment for partial paralysis in dogs is pain medication. Your dog may be given pain medication to help them feel more comfortable, whether their paralysis is caused by a temporary or acute problem.

Surgery options for paralyzed dogs

Surgery can be performed to correct some types of spinal injuries. Surgery is often time-sensitive, so as soon as a pet becomes paralyzed, they need to go to the ER vet. Brain or spinal cord tumors may sometimes respond well to surgery, but understand that this is not always the case.

Physical therapy to help paralyzed dogs

Physical therapy can be performed for most underlying causes of paralysis after mainstay treatment. If your dog’s paralysis comes from a spinal injury or a brain tumor, physical therapy may work well for them.

Supportive devices for paralyzed dogs

Dog carts that act as wheelchairs may be helpful if a dog still has use of their front legs. Giving a dog their mobility back helps improve their well-being, reducing mental stress, depression, and anxiety that often comes along with paralysis.  

Talking with our emergency vet about paralysis

When you take your dog to a VEG vet, you will want to let them know what you've seen in your dog's lack of movement. Discuss anything you've seen out of the ordinary leading up to or during paralysis. Note things like:

• When symptoms began

• If it seems partial or full

• If paralysis is intermittent (comes and goes)

• If your dog seems to be in pain

• If your dog is incontinent?

Call your nearest VEG 24-hour animal hospital if your dog has paralysis 

If your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms of paralysis listed above, or if you think she is at risk based on the causes of paralysis outlined int his article, then be sure to take her to the emergency vet right away. And of course, if she has a long-term, chronic health problem contributing to her paralysis, keep up with regular vet checkups and appointments, too.

For more information on this condition, contact VEG by calling one of our emergency dog hospital locations. We have locations all over the country that are open 24 hours, including weekends and holidays. We understand how serious dog paralysis is, and we’ll help get to the bottom of what’s causing it to be able to provide the best treatment option.