Sunday, March 25, 2018

The Dog Dragging Hind Leg Condition

By Roger Edwards


The ability of dogs to move and perform daily activities is dependent on the coordination of the muscles of a pet, brain, nerve cells and spine to work in assembly. It involves the brain relying on information about the environment to the relevant body parts and a reflex action happens. This communication is made possible by nerve cells found in the spinal cord. The vertebral column hosts this cord and protects it from physical damage. Damage to any part of the cord leads to the inability of a brain to coordinate the body parts. This piece highlights more on dog dragging hind leg condition.

When a dog is experiencing paralysis of a hind limbs, it is because of disruption of communication pathway between the brain and spine. Depending on the extent of damage, the dog may appear to be weakly moving the legs and in extreme cases, total paralysis is experienced. This condition is referred to as paresis or partial paralysis.

Some breeds of dogs are genetically prone to this condition as compared to others. Those with short limbs and low long bodies are affected more because their vertebral disks rupture easily due to pressure on the vertebral column. This, in turn, affects the spinal cord. Pressure on the neural pathways blocks transmission of nerve impulses and results to in-coordination.

Degenerative myelopathy affects other breeds like Welsh Corgi, German Shepherd, Chesapeake Bay and the Irish Setter. The disease knocks in at an old age of around seven years and attacks the nerves in the cord of a spine. It is slow but progressive and the final result is partial paralysis on the hind limbs or even complete paralysis in extreme cases.

The medical history of your dog is of importance when one takes the canine to the veterinary for treatment. One is required to report possible incidents that may have caused the conditions like falling and also if the dog had been infested with ticks. Reflex tests are conducted to determine the position of a spine with infection. Blood samples may be required for further testing in case it is a bacterial, viral or even toxic infection.

The course of treatment that are taken entirely depends on the extent of paralysis. The inability of the dog to urinate, walk or even defecate will result in admission to the animal hospital. Daily monitoring is then done by the veterinarian to monitor progress. The bladder is then emptied severally and painkillers administered in case the pet is experiencing pain. Physical adjustment is also done to avoid development of sores on the side of the body where the dog rests on.

Administration of medicine, surgery or therapy is applied when the cause is a slipped disk of a spinal cord, tumors or blockages of blood vessels. Inflamed nerves are treated by use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Some dogs tend to recover quicker than others depending on how severe the condition is. Dogs released to go home are given a guideline for home care so that they recover fully.

The condition of Degenerative myelopathy, however, is irreversible and its progression has not had a cure yet. It has also proven impossible to slow down the rate of infection. Majority of the dogs that have been treated for treatable infections have been recorded to recover fully. Exercise is crucial for the full recovery of your dog.




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