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	Lab with momentary paralysis Q: I was wondering if you guys could give me some insight into a very odd situation that occured with my dog. The dog is a two year old yellow lab that we adopted from the animal shelter about a month ago. Tonight, he was laying on the couch and all of the sudden tried to jump up but couldn't. It seemed as if he was paralyzed from the hips down. We believe he was in considerable pain because he was thrashing around and looked terrified. His tail was between his legs and his back was arched. The whole episode lasted only about 20 seconds and afterwards, he seemed to suffer no ill effects. He was breathing the whole time and were wondering if it might have been a severe cramp, epileptic attack or what? We have another yellow lab of about the same age and she has never experienced anything like this. Any insight that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Doug Miyamoto

A: Dear Doug,

Your dog was obviously in some considerable degree of pain. For a sudden episode of pain like this, it is usually related to the spine.
Spinal pain (like 'slipped discs' in people), is acutely painful, and can put pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord, which can produce paralysis. If the episode lasted a short period of time, and the dog suffered no ill effects, the best advice is to watch carefully for any other signs". These may be further signs of pain, lameness, or apparent weakness or incoordination in the hind limbs.
Acute pain can also occur in other parts of the body, and a hunched back can also point to the abdomen as the source of pain. There will usually be some other symptoms as well though - off food, vomiting. Epileptic seizures are accompanied by loss of consciousness in most cases.
Recurrent bouts of pain will need investigating - possibly by X-ray/ blood
tests.

Steve Mullender MRCVS
(vet at PetPlanet)

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