My Dog is Paralysed After Spinal Surgery. What Should I Do?

Surgery on your dog is always risky, and spinal surgery, including IVDD surgery, can be one of the most precarious because of the proximity to the spinal cord.

Spinal surgery might have been undertaken to help dog IVDD, a slipped disc in your dog, muscle movement or tear, or weakness in their back.

If the surgery has been unsuccessful, your dog can show signs of their back legs' weakness or paralysis, or are unsteady and unbalanced when walking, or have a complete inability to walk. The range will depend on how unsuccessful the surgery has been.

Post surgery tips

Your vet will likely give you many top tips to help your dog over the next few months. We have helped many dog owners in the first stages post spinal surgery. You should consider all ways to help your dog, this can include: 

• A new deep bed for extra comfort
• Understanding how to express your dog (toilet)
• Getting a good full body harness so you can help them get up 
• Raising their food bowls and water around the house
• Physiotherapy
• Hydrotherapy
• A dog wheelchair