Welcome to Paralyzed Dog Support Group

Why are there so many dogs with Paralysis that don't walk again?

This is a very important question that was just posed to me. When you see someone who is paralyzed the external symptoms all look the same, the legs don't work, they can't stand, and they can't feel and the body may be limp. So while the majority of the externally showing symptoms are always all the same, there are 100's of causes for paralsysis. If you don't properly diagnose the cause, your can't treat it. Many vets only diagnose the external symptoms, they don't know how or don't have the capabilities to find out what the root cause is, and therefore how to treat the cause and resolve the condition.

Below are just a few of the causes of paralysis. You can see that they range from ingesting something toxic (poisoning) to tick paralysis (lympes, Erlychia, RMSF, etc) to infection of the spinal fluid, to trauma, to degenerative diseases, to brain diseases, to masses, to a bone fracture to dysplasia, etc.

We see many people trying to follow the same therapy routine for a pinched nerve or slipped disk for an undiagnosed case of tick paralysis because they assume there's no way their dog could have been bitten by a tick. They don't see improvement, they only see the disease progress because it has not been properly diagnosed, and they get frustrated that the treatment is not working. In fact your dog can get tick paralysis ANYWHERE in the world these days. This disease has spread globally. You don't have to see a tick on your pet, they can bite and run without ever being noticed. Tick paralysis is really easy to cure if diagnosed properly. And it's very simple to diagnose. Ask (and sometimes you have to ask your vet to humor your - I've seen vets refuse to run this test and low and behold another vet runs it and it comes out positive) Ask for your vet to run a tick pannel. You can get the results that day - or they can send it out - depending on what test kit they have. They are available everywhere in the world.

This is just 1 example. There are many more. This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to bring your pet to a board certified veterinary neurologist, who has spent 8-10+ years in school PAST regular vet school, learning all about neurological diseases and illnesses, how to properly diagnose them and then the treatment options.

ONLY with the PROPER DIAGNOSIS of the CAUSE of the external symptoms, can you TREAT what caused the paralysis and help your pet to walk again.

Find out more

Things that can cause paralysis in your pup

First Things First....

It's extremely important that you have a Board Certified Veterinary Neurologist see your pup As Soon As Possible (ASAP) if you see any signs or symptoms of paralysis or other neurological condition such as knuckling or lack of feeling, or being unable to walk. While your regular vet may be trusted, and valued and someone you like a lot, your regular vet is the equivalent to your family doctor or general practitioner. There are a few basic tests they may be able to help out with, but the long of the short of it is that any condition that is neurological in nature, such as paralysis NEEDS to be seen by a Veterinary Specialist who has the proper training and equipment to properly diagnose and treat a neurologic condiion, such as paralysis. Some things that can cause paralysis can progress rapidly, and while they can be treated effectively, if not treated immediately conditions can greatly worsen fast. WHY A VETERINARY NEUROLOGIST? (We have a whole page dedicated to this!) A Veterinary neurologist has an additional 8-10 + years of training that is EXCLUSIVE to neurological conditions, meaning the only thing they treat are things like paralysis and neurological conditions. They are experts in their field. Your regular vet may take on a wait and see approach but if you are dealing with an urgent condition - this can lead to more damage or things getting progressively worse. Let a Veterinary Neurologist make the determination of what caused the condition and how to best treat it as soon as possible. Your regular vet will still be your regular vet and be there to provide support, but AFTER the neurologic expert has a chance to properly diagnose the condition and then provide you with your options for treatment. Besides, it's also ALWAYS BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!!!

Below you'll find a list of things that can cause paralysis.

These are the things that your Veterinary Neurologist can properly diagnose and evaluate for and then give you your options for treament.