Dogs can’t walk, and now? How to take care of a dog that stops walking? What can stop walking mean? Stopping walking is a symptom of several diseases that can be presented by dogs. In this post we will talk about some diseases that affect dogs and that result in the loss of movement of these animals.
Dog can’t walk
Dogs can stop walking due to neuronal and orthopedic injuries. These injuries can happen for a variety of reasons and also can happen in dogs of different ages. Many of these pathologies that affect dogs are linked to breed, handling, and dogs general care.
Some causes that can result in the loss of movement in dogs:
- Trauma;
- Drug effects;
- Infections;
- Orthopedic diseases;
- Neuromuscular diseases.
Trauma
Dogs can suffer spinal trauma, especially in the cervical region, which can affect dogs’ locomotion. The most common traumas are run over accidents, falls from heights and aggression from tutors.
The main symptoms to be observed are pain at the site of injury, vocalization, prostration, and loss of movement of the legs. A veterinarian should be consulted, often dogs may need surgery.
The diagnosis can be made by imaging exams, in some cases specialists in neurology or veterinary orthopedics can be consulted. Some dogs can walk again after treatment and physical therapy.
However, other dogs can lose movement forever, and palliative care is needed to give a better life for these dogs.
Drug effects
Some drugs used for anesthesia can lead to temporary paralysis of the legs. However, when these drugs wear off, the animals return to moving normally.
Some animals may suffer from spinal injuries due to the application of local anesthetics. So many can lose the movement irreversibly.
Infections
Diseases such as tick disease, distemper, botulism, and meningitis can lead to neuronal changes that cause some animals to lose movement of the leg.
Dogs may have other symptoms such as apathy, lack of appetite, tremors, vocalization, and fever. A veterinarian should be consulted for proper diagnosis and treatment.
When treatment is started at the beginning of the appearance of symptoms, it can reduce the chances of the animal having sequelae. Therefore, the correct diagnosis and at the right time can benefit animals.
Orthopedic diseases
Diseases such as, fetal malformation, disco spondylitis, osteoporosis, arthritis and even bone tumors can cause animals to lose movement of the legs.
Consultation with a veterinary neurologist may be indicated. Imaging and laboratory tests can help with the diagnosis. Some dogs can be treated surgically, but others must live with the loss of movement in their hind legs.
For these animals, therapies such as acupuncture and physiotherapy may be indicated, in addition to palliative care to provide well-being for the dog.
Neuromuscular diseases
Some neuromuscular diseases such as degenerative myelopathy in dogs can also affect animals. These diseases affect the spinal cord leading to weakness and loss of movement.
Dogs with this pathology should be diagnosed as soon as possible. Medications can be taken to prevent the disease from getting worse. Some dogs can re-establish the movement of the hind legs.
Care to be taken with dogs that cannot walk
Dogs that have lost the movement of their legs should constantly consult with a veterinarian. Physiotherapy and even acupuncture for dogs is indicated, leading to muscle and bone stimulation, preventing the worsening of the dogs’ condition.
Care must be taken with the animal’s excreta, the use of diapers that must always be clean is indicated. The accumulation of dirt can lead to diaper rash in the dog, and even wounds that can be an opening door for myiasis.
It takes a lot of patience from the tutor, as they are dogs that will need a lot of attention during the day, both for feeding and for cleaning their diapers.
In addition, the dog should not stay in one place, it is interesting to place it in calm and peaceful environments, ventilated but without direct contact with sunlight.
How to prevent dogs from losing movement in the legs?
Prevention can be related to changes in the environment, such as avoiding stairs, access to the street without a tutor and high places without a fence. A good balanced diet for dogs can also prevent metabolic changes that can favor the appearance of some pathologies in dogs.
Infectious diseases can also be prevented with periodic vaccines and the use of medicines to prevent fleas and ticks. That’s why veterinary checkups are indicated from time to time to assess the animal health.
Conclusion
Loss of leg movement in dogs is a symptom that can appear in several diseases. For better diagnosis, dogs should be taken to the veterinarian, some animals can regain movement in their legs after proper treatment. However, other animals can be left with sequelae of the diseases, thus requiring special care for the rest of the dog’s life, thus tutors must provide the minimum quality of life for these dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Dog can’t walk
How do I know if my dog has disco spondylitis?
The dog may have lameness, changes in the way it walk, pain when palpating the region, difficulties in locomotion, in more advanced cases, the dog may even stop walking. For diagnosis, an X-ray exam can be performed that identifies the disco spondylitis presented by the dog.
How to prevent distemper?
Canine distemper is a viral disease that affects dogs and can be prevented by vaccinating puppies and performing annual booster vaccinations.
What to do to prevent dogs from generating wounds from lying down for a long time?
Dogs can be placed on rubber floors or beds, to move the dog you can use carts or structures made to prevent the dog from crawling on the ground. The dog should not stay in the same position for a long time, being necessary to move from one side to the other. Care should also be taken with the place where the animal will stay, as the place has to be ventilated without direct sunlight.
Reference
Chaves, R. O., Beckmann, D. V., Santos, R. P. D., Aiello, G., Andrades, A. O., Baumhardt, R., … & Mazzanti, A. (2014). Doenças neurológicas em cães atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS: 1.184 casos (2006-2013). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 34(10), 996-1001.
Joaquim, J. G. F., Luna, S. P. L., Torelli, S. R., Angeli, A. L., & da Gama, E. D. (2008). Acupuntura como tratamento de doenças neurológicas em cães. Revista Acadêmica Ciência Animal, 6(3), 327-334.
Picture from flirck.com
