What to do if your Dog is Unable to Stand
If you suspect paralysis, bring your pet to your veterinarian immediately, as it can be an emergency. If your veterinarian is not open, consider bringing them to an emergency clinic or taking them as early as possible in the morning. The longer you wait, the worse the signs may become. The veterinarian will assess your dog, and if a spinal cord compression is suspected, will most likely administer painkillers, anti-inflammatories and/or steroids, which will decrease the swelling, improve the nerve function and help to reduce some of the pain. If these treatments are unsuccessful or if the paralysis is severe, surgery may be necessary. Although geriatric vestibular syndrome cannot be cured, it can be treated to speed up the recovery. Your dog should typically recover on their own within a few days or weeks.
Degenerative myelopathy cannot be cured, but physical therapy can help maintain a good quality of life for some time. Dogs with botulism are treated with supportive therapy and an anti-toxin. Supportive therapy, such as nursing care and confinement, can also help with vestibular disease, along with motion sickness medications to help with nausea and vomiting. Antibiotics may be needed to eliminate ear infections. If the veterinarian suspects degenerative myelopathy, they may suggest MRIs and myelography to rule out other diseases. It is important to observe your dog’s behavior well, as botulism will often be diagnosed by the owner’s observation of the dog, it’s exposure to dead animals and detection of spores in the fecal samples. Once diagnosed, the only treatment is supportive care in the form of respiratory therapy and nursing care.
