The Dog Owner Club

This condition, a symptom or result rather than a disease in itself, is tedious to nurse and alarming to see, but even apparently hopeless cases can sometimes make remarkable recoveries. Paralysis can be caused by acute constipation bringing with it auto-intoxication, but the remedy for this is simple and when the cause is treated the paralysis disappears. In distemper and hard-pad, and in some other serious diseases affecting the central nervous system, paralysis is fairly common.

The veterinary surgeon will, of course, always be informed at its onset, which is shown by weakness, staggering, and stiffness of the hindquarters. It can involve the whole body but more usually it is the hindquarters which are affected. The dog is unable to stand but drags his legs behind him when he tries to move. The bowels are constipated and the bladder may share in the general paralysis although later there may be incontinence. When the brain is seriously affected the dog will lie completely helpless, unable to lift more than his head.The bowels and bladder must receive attention to begin with, as elimination is always of vital importance in these cases, and constipation can make the condition much worse. If not otherwise directed, Epsom salts are useful and an enema can be given if the salts do not operate in a few hours. If the dog is supported standing and his flanks are gently pressed, the bladder may be emptied successfully. This should be repeated two or three times a day.

Failing this, it may be necessary to pass a catheter, but as this can be dangerous in unskilled hands it is a job for the veterinary surgeon. A cloth wrung out in hot water (100F.) and held to the abdomen between the thighs sometimes helps.

Dogs which are able to walk at all should be encouraged to do so, if necessary supported, unless the veterinary surgeon wants his patient to be kept still. A wide, strong bandage round the abdomen, with a curtain ring sewn to the top and a lead attached, will form a useful sling to support the animal where he needs it and yet give some freedom.

When the dog is absolutely helpless he should be nursed in a smooth, flat, firm bed and turned every hour. Incontinence is an inevitable problem Warmth for the spine is helpful, so the dog should have a well-covered hot water-bottle placed along his back. Gentle massage and stroking down the length of the spine is often useful. Remember to keep the patient warm, and as a paralysed animal’s skin can be easily injured, bruised or broken, be sure that his bed is comfortable. Always handle him very gently and smoothly, and do not forget to turn him regularly.

Although paralysis is a trying condition to nurse, and sometimes takes a long time, the animal has a good chance of complete recovery provided that the nervous system is not permanently damaged. No one should be in a hurry to have an animal destroyed unless the veterinary surgeon in attendance advises that the case is hopeless.

Cracked Pads
When a dog limps and the pad is cracked the only way to cure the condition is to protect the dog’s foot during healing. A piece of lint sufficiently large to cover the pads should be smeared thickly with boracic ointment and secured as follows: a length of “Sleek” plaster should be taken from just below the pastern (or knee) joint over the foot and up the back while the dog is standing on the foot. Secure this by bandaging in the ordinary way round the leg and foot with more plaster. This, if efficiently done, makes a secure, neat and immovable covering, that can be left until it drops off naturally. Although dogs make the most determined efforts to chew the strapping off they will find this impossible if the bandaging has been properly done.

Filed under: Dog Care, Dog Health