Dog Paralysis and Disc Injury

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A case of dog paralysis and disc injury has one visitor searching for more answers.

Issue: Dog Paralysis and Disc Injury

My dog is a 13-year-old Chihuahua mix that I rescued from a shelter three years ago. He recently had trouble walking and yelped. We took him to the vet, and he did X-rays. The vet put my dog on steroid medrol for 36 hours because he thought my dog might have a herniated disc, but the medication didn't seem to help.

I took my dog home after three days. So far, he cannot walk, although he's been doing better in the past two days, and gaining a little more movement. Any suggestions?

Thank you~~ Mareka

Expert Reply

Hi Mareka,

Can you tell me exactly which procedure your vet did to diagnose the spinal problem? A regular X-ray will not show your dog's discs or spinal cord, just the vertebrae. A myelogram may be needed to see the source of your dog's paralysis. This procedure involves injecting dye into the spinal cord to make it show up in the X-ray.

Any break in the outline of dye around the cord indicates a pressure point caused by a disc rupture. Your vet can use this procedure to pinpoint a rupture if one exists, but the test may also help your vet determine if another type of spinal injury or disease is the cause of the problem.

Sometimes a disc rupture will heal on it's own, and I believe that is what your vet is hoping for. The steroids will remain in your dog's system for a while, and they should help reduce any swelling. This in turn should lead to more mobility. I think this is what you're already beginning to see in your dog, although recovery will be slow.

I recommend that you take every precaution to keep your dog calm and comfortable so he doesn't reinjure himself. Keep his food and water bowl close by, and try to avoid letting your dog walk on stairs if you can help it. This presents a greater opportunity for spinal instability that could lead to more pinching of the injured disc.

If you notice your dog take another down turn in mobility, contact your vet right away.

Thank you for your question, and I hope your dog is feeling more like his normal self very soon.

~~ Kelly

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Comments

Hi Lexieaus,

I'm glad to hear that there's a lot of hope for your dog. I know your positive attitude will contribute to her recovery. Thanks for sharing your situation because I'm sure it could other dog lovers who find themselves in a similar situation. Best wishes for your dog's full recovery. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my little girl went out to go to the toilet aweek ago and i notice her back legs were moving strangly. i rush her to the vet and a xray was did straight away. vet thought it was a disc problem and i was send straight away to a animal hospital. My dog had to have a dye put through her body to pinpoint problem as xray doesnt show slipped disc. when result were back my little girl had actually had a small stroke. she toliets well eats wells kisses well lol wags tail all the time but back legs still no movement, when vet did hand test on my dogs toesnails and hind legs there was alot of sensation. it could take up to 6 mths for her to walk again but i was given 90percent success rate.she is my everything and i will be with her all the way helping her recovery. she is in no pain at all just happy go lucky. if your dogs can;t move there back legs get what i had did, only 100percent sure way to find what you are dealing with. good luck!!!!!!!

-- Contributed by: hi there

Hello Brenda,

I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your dog. Under the cir...stances, I think the very best thing you can do is call your vet again and relate what you have observed over the last few days. It does take some time for deep bruises to appear at skin level, and this could be what's going on. Let your vet know that your dog is still in pain, and perhaps he will offer a refill on the pain pill prescription to help see your dog through the recovery.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly
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