If your dog has paralysis it is important that within the first 12 hours you get them to an orthopaedic surgeon who must operate immediately to prevent paralysis becoming permanent.

This is because there is spinal cord damage if paralysis is present and the nerves start to die back straight away so time is of the essence. At the point of damage the nerves will begin to die back either side of that damage point immediately. You have to get your dog in for spinal surgery to relieve the pressure from the spinal cord. There may be a ruptured/crushed/exploded disc which will need removing as it will be putting pressure on the spinal cord causing damage.

If you do get your pet in for surgery within 12 hours of the accident occuring this is the best chance of recovering the function in the legs, left any longer the paralysis may become permanent.

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If your dog has a Laminectomy ( Laminectomy is a surgical procedure for treating pressure on the spinal cord) they will need 8-12 weeks `crate rest` (total rest) afterwards. This is to allow the vertebrae that have been stabilised by the insertion of rods/screws time to fuse together.
They will remove the damaged disc and `pin` the vertebrae together, these in time will then fuse to become one. The rods/pins can be removed at a later date if they cause your pet problems, but if not they can be left in.

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The Log Roll Manoeuvre

Warning! Please Note:

When moving a patient with suspected spinal damage you must use what is called `The Log Roll` manoeuvre.

Keep the back straight - imagine it's a row of kiddies building blocks held together with jelly and you have to move it without dropping the blocks or the jelly - keep the spine straight and `roll` the patient on to a stretcher to move them otherwise you may damage the spine.