Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

SPINAL CORD INJURIES
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM • 375
Spinal cord injuries are associated with ruptured discs and vertebral fractures
and dislocations caused by accidents such as automobile accidents, gunshot
wounds, and falls.
Immediately after a spine injury, there may be neck or back pain, weakness
or paralysis of the legs, a stumbling gait, loss of feeling in the limbs, and urinary
or fecal incontinence. Signs that get worse after an injury are often
caused by tissue swelling, which interferes with the blood supply to the spinal
cord and may cause permanent paralysis.
A pelvic fracture can be mistaken for a spinal fracture. In both cases the
dog is unable to bear weight on her hindquarters and shows pain when handled
in the injured area. Thus it might appear as if the outlook is poor, even
though a dog with a broken pelvis often makes a complete recovery.
Treatment: Dogs with spinal cord trauma usually have life-threatening
injuries that take precedence and require immediate attention (see Treating
Head Injuries, page 358). All dogs who are unconscious or unable to stand
should be considered to have spinal cord injuries until proven otherwise.
Handle these animals with extreme care to protect the spine. Vertebral fractures
are unstable. Flexing the neck or back may compress the spinal cord and
worsen the injury.
Transport a dog with a back injury on a flat surface. Duct tape over the shoulders
and hips prevents this dog from moving his back.