Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Dogs

Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion?

Spinal injuries have many internal causes, but are most commonly caused by physical trauma. For this reason, often dogs with spinal cord lesion that could cause paralysis are experiencing extreme trauma, such as multiple organ traumas. In some cases, spinal cord lesions do not cause paralysis but do cause irregularities in movement, the most common being Schiff-Sherrington posture.

A lesion to the spinal cord, whether caused by internal or external factors, can cause partial or total paralysis. Common cases of paralysis include the Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon. The specifics of Schiff-Sherrington involve a severe lesion to the second lumbar vertebrae, causing seriously exaggerated posture in the upper extremities. It's known as a release phenomenon as it is released from an inhibitory influence normally exerted by the spinal segments below where the transection occurs.

Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion Average Cost

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Average Cost

$4,500

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Symptoms of Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Dogs

  • Inability to walk or stand
  • Unusual gait
  • Paralysis in a specific limb or area of the body
  • Total paralysis
  • Numbness to pain in areas below injury
  • Hyperthermia

Causes of Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Dogs

  • Internal
    • Disk herniation
    • Tumors
    • Spinal fracture
    • Hemorrhage into spinal cord
    • Hemorrhage within spinal cord
    • Inflammation of the spinal cord (myelitis)
    • Invertebral disk disease
  • External
    • Physical trauma

Diagnosis of Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Dogs

Spinal cord injuries are extremely serious, and you need to bring your dog in for immediate medical attention should you suspect one has occurred. If your dog has suffered severe external trauma and you suspect paralysis, you must also check for life-threatening injuries and attempt to stabilize your dog before seeking veterinary attention. No matter the cause, it is important for your dog to be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Diagnosis will begin with a physical examination that may or may not involve articulating your dog’s limbs and/or observing your dog walk, depending upon his range of motion and pain.

Your dog’s medical history and the onset of your dog’s symptoms, as well as any event that may have precipitated them, will be important tools to aid your veterinarian in diagnosis. Standard laboratory tests such as a chemical blood profile, complete blood count, and urinalysis will assess your dog’s overall health in order to rule out alternative causes for your dog’s symptoms as a spinal cord lesion alone will not affect your dog’s lab results for these tests. CT and MRI scans will need to be taken in order to analyze your dog’s spinal cord and determine if a lesion is present.

Treatment of Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Dogs

Your course of treatment will depend upon the severity of your dog’s injury and the extent of paralysis. The only option for treatment is to attempt to restore spinal cord function through surgery, which, if successful, will reverse your dog’s paralysis. In cases of extreme or severe spinal cord lesions, and in instances where a dog develops myelomalcia syndrome or the softening of the spinal cord, euthanasia may be your chosen course of action.

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Recovery of Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Dogs

Prognosis depends upon the extent of the neurological damage. If your dog is capable of voluntary movement and there is partial paralysis, the prognosis is good. Full recovery is possible. However, if your dog is incapable of urination or defecation and your dog did not indicate he was in pain when the injury occurred, the prognosis is guarded to poor. If your dog has undergone spinal cord surgery, monitor her closely during recovery and provide her with a quiet and calm place to rest. Limit her physical activity. All significant improvements to your dog’s condition will occur within the first 4-6 weeks. If your dog does not see improvements within this time frame, he is not likely to recover.

Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion Average Cost

From 367 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $10,000

Average Cost

$4,500

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Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Staff

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Snoop

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7 Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Spinal Lesion
Hello,my dog snoop twisted his back jumping for his ball 9mths ago.he was paralysed An we were told he had a spinal lesion.after intensive physio he is now able to walk.at the moment his progress has slowed An would be grateful for any more information or advice to aid his recovery

Aug. 1, 2018


Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

As every animal is different, and there are many things that we look at when assessing spinal cord health, I'm not able to comment on Snoop's injury or recovery, unfortunately. If he is able to walk, that seems very positive, and if you are working with a physical therapist and veterinarian, they are perfect people to discuss what more can be done to help him recover, as they can see him and assess his progress. I hope that all goes well for him.

Aug. 1, 2018

Thanks for the advice.im aware it's a long process.just want him to be back enjoying his walks with me more again.

Aug. 2, 2018

Snoop's Owner

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American Stafforshire Terrier

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Boags

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11 Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Unsteady Gait, Knuckling, Paralysis
Hi. I have a nearly 11 yo American Staffy. 2 weeks ago I took him to the vet as his hind legs were giving way and his front leg started knuckling. The vet gave him carprofen but he kept getting worse and he was paralysed. Took him back to the vet last Thursday and they organised an MRI at the specialist. The specialist put him on Clindamycin and Prednisilone until results of the MRI and spinal tap came back. Spinal tap indicated abnormal cells that could mean several things. It indicated inflamation. The MRI showed no brain issues but as their machine was small his whole neck did not get scanned properly. They said it picked up the start of something on his cervical spine but they think it is a tumor but would need full scan to confirm. My dog has responded to prednisilone and after his 1st dose the next morning required less assistance. Today he has had his 2nd dose and was trying to go for walk. Initially I said to the specialist that I would just keep him comfortable but now thinking I should get a second MRI at a clinic that can get a full image as he is walking again and almost back to his happy self. Would appreciate your thoughts.

May 20, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

If Boags is responding to therapy, and you have the means to have a more thorough MRI done, that second MRI would be very valuable information as to what you might expect in the future and what you are actually treating. I hope that all goes well for him!

May 20, 2018

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Paralysis due to Spinal Cord Lesion Average Cost

From 367 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $10,000

Average Cost

$4,500

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