My dog's paralyzed after an accident. Is physical therapy safe?

Oh dear! This is a very serious problem - I'm afraid she really has to see a vet right away. She may have a herniated disc in her back causing the paralysis, or some other neurologic problem affecting her spinal cord. She may be in pain, or she may have no feeling at all in her rear legs - it's impossible to say without an exam. She needs immediate treatment to have a reasonable chance of regaining function in her rear legs, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do at home that will help her. If costs are a concern, you can see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help. You could also apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most vet clinics: www.carecredit.com

Without xrays and records of the physical exam it is impossible to guess what might be causing these symptoms. Paralysis of 3 months in a young pup is unlikely to resolve bit referral to a specialist neurologist and orthopedic surgeon may provide a full diagnosis and highlight any possible treatment options. If he has limited mobility then quality of life should be assessed and it may not be fair to expect him to continue most especially if any incontinence develops

He could be smaller from lack of muscle. He may also be painful from his back which could cause him not to eat well so he isn’t growing normally. I recommend an exam with a Rehabilitation veterinarian or a veterinary acupuncturist. They are trained to treat dogs with pain and paralysis. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for GT.

Without a full physical exam it is impossible for us to guess if this would be appropriate for Throttle - you should discuss this with the vet that examined him. It would be important to know if he has feeling and reflexes in the feet and along his spine as this helps to estimate the severity of any possible spinal injury. If the spine may be unstable then moving in and out of a wheelchair may make things worse. Antiinflammatory medications, acupuncture and chiropractic care may all help where specialist spinal surgery is not an option

Unfortunately, the plaster will not help this condition and can cause sores on the skin if used. Depending on how severe the nerve damage is, Goyla may be able to get some return of leg function, but a vet doctor would need to examine him to tell. I recommend taking him to a vet doctor as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. For now, the best thing you can do is keep him confined to a small area and provide a soft surface to crawl on. I hope that helps and Golya can get better soon.

Oh my. Please take your puppy to your local vet for a thorough neuro exam and treatment. This cannot be treated at home. Please take him in immediately. I do hope that your puppy is able to make a full recovery from his paralysis. Best wishes and take care.

I am afraid this depends very much on the nature of the condition which has caused the loss of use of Chunks legs - spinal injury, disk disease, pelvic injury and broken bones or muscle weakness can all contribute and the treatment can be very different for each. A full physical exam and possible xrays would be required in order to determine what has happened and possible treatment