Neurological Disorders in Dogs

What is the Nervous System? Think of a Super Computer!

Imagine your dog has a super-duper computer inside them! This computer is the brain. It’s in charge of everything – telling their legs when to run, their tail when to wag, their nose when to sniff, and even helping them know when you’re happy or when it’s dinner time.

Connected to the brain is a big cable called the spinal cord. This cable runs down your dog’s back, protected by their spine. Little wires, called nerves, branch off from the spinal cord and go all over the body – to the legs, tail, ears, nose, and even tummy. These nerves are like tiny roads that carry messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body.

So, the brain is the main computer, the spinal cord is the main cable, and the nerves are all the little wires. Together, they make the nervous system. This system is super important for how a dog moves, feels, sees, hears, smells, and thinks!

What Happens When Things Go Wrong?

Sometimes, the ‘super computer’ (brain), the ‘main cable’ (spinal cord), or the ‘wires’ (nerves) don’t work perfectly. This can happen for different reasons. Maybe a dog was born with a part that didn’t grow just right, or maybe they got sick, or perhaps they had an injury. When something is not working correctly in the nervous system, it’s called a neurological disorder.

Because the nervous system controls so much, problems with it can cause lots of different signs. The signs depend on which part of the system is having trouble and what the problem is.

Signs That a Dog Might Have a Neurological Problem

It’s important to know that only a veterinarian (a special doctor for animals) can tell for sure if a dog has a neurological disorder. But, knowing some common signs can help you notice if your dog might need to see the vet.

Here are some things you might see:

• Walking Funny or Wobbly: They might stumble, fall over, or walk like they are drunk. This could mean the brain, spinal cord, or nerves to the legs aren’t sending messages correctly about balance and movement.
• Weakness: Their legs might seem weak, or they might have trouble standing up, especially in their back legs.
• Shaking or Tremors: Sometimes, a dog might shake all over or in just one part of their body.
• Seizures (Fits): This is when the brain has a sudden burst of unusual electrical activity. The dog might fall down, paddle their legs, drool a lot, or even seem unconscious for a short time. It can look scary, but it often doesn’t hurt the dog while it’s happening.
• Changes in Behavior: A dog might seem confused, stare blankly, become grumpy, or act differently than usual.
• Head Tilting: They might hold their head tipped to one side all the time.
• Eyes Moving Strangely: Their eyes might flick back and forth quickly, or look unusual.
• Pain: Some problems in the spinal cord can cause back or neck pain, making the dog cry out or not want to move.
• Changes in Eating or Drinking: Sometimes, problems with the brain can affect these things.

Seeing any of these signs doesn’t always mean it’s a neurological disorder, but it does mean it’s a good idea to have a vet check them out. A vet is like a detective for dogs!

Different Kinds of Neurological Problems (Explained Simply)

There are many different types of neurological disorders, but here are a few simple ideas of what can happen:

Epilepsy

This is a common problem where a dog has seizures (fits) over and over again. It’s like the ‘computer’ (brain) sometimes has a short circuit. Vets can often give medicine to help control the seizures and make them happen less often or be less strong.

Problems with Balance (like Vestibular Disease)

Sometimes, the part of the brain or nerves that help a dog balance and know which way is up doesn’t work right. This can make them very wobbly, fall over, tilt their head, or have strange eye movements. It’s like the world is spinning for them. This can sometimes get better on its own or with help from a vet.

Spinal Cord Problems (like IVDD)

Remember the ‘main cable’ down the back? Sometimes the soft cushions between the bones in the spine can bulge or burst. This squishes the spinal cord cable and can stop messages from getting through to the legs or tail. This can cause pain and weakness, especially in the back legs. Some breeds, like Dachshunds or Basset Hounds, can be more likely to have this kind of problem because of their body shape, but it can happen to any dog. Treating this often involves rest, medicine, or sometimes even surgery.

Caring for a dog with potential back issues requires careful handling and understanding their needs. If you’re curious about different breeds and their general health considerations, you can explore many options on our site, like our Dachshund puppies or all our available breeds.

Brain Tumors

Sometimes, a growth can happen inside the brain, pressing on different parts. This can cause many different signs depending on where it is, like seizures, behavior changes, or problems walking.

Infections or Inflammations

Just like other parts of the body, the brain, spinal cord, or nerves can get infections or become inflamed (swollen and irritated). This can cause a wide range of neurological signs.

Born With It (Congenital Problems)

Some puppies are born with parts of their nervous system that didn’t develop quite right. This is called a congenital problem. For example, some puppies might have hydrocephalus, which means there’s too much fluid around their brain. This is sometimes seen in smaller breeds like Chihuahuas or Yorkshire Terriers, but it’s not common in every dog of these breeds.

How Does a Vet Figure Out What’s Wrong?

When you take a dog with suspected neurological signs to the vet, they will do a very thorough check-up. They will ask you lots of questions about what you’ve seen. They will watch how your dog walks and moves. They might do some special tests, like checking their reflexes (like when a doctor taps your knee) or seeing how their eyes respond.

Sometimes, the vet might need to do more advanced tests, kind of like taking a picture of the inside of your dog’s head or back. These can include:

• X-rays: Pictures of the bones, like the spine.
• CT Scan or MRI: These are special pictures that show more detail, like the brain or spinal cord itself. They are like really advanced photographs!
• Spinal Tap: Sometimes, the vet might need to collect a little bit of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord to check for infections or other problems.
• Blood Tests: These can help rule out other sicknesses that might look like neurological problems.

Figuring out exactly what’s going on is the first step to helping the dog feel better.

Helping Dogs with Neurological Disorders

The way a neurological disorder is treated depends totally on what the problem is and how serious it is. Sometimes, a dog might just need medicine to help manage the signs, like medicine for seizures or pain. Other times, they might need surgery, for example, to help fix a problem in the spine.

For some dogs, physical therapy (like exercises to help them move better) can be very helpful. And for some problems, there might not be a cure, but vets can help families manage the condition to give the dog the best possible life.

It’s important to remember that even if a dog has a neurological disorder, they can often still live a very happy life with the right care and love. They might just need a little extra help or understanding.

Here’s a simple table showing some possible problems and how they might be helped:

Living With and Caring for a Dog with Neurological Needs

If a dog you love has a neurological disorder, it might seem challenging sometimes, but with love and care, you can give them a wonderful life. Here are some ideas:

• Follow the Vet’s Advice: This is the most important thing! Give all medicines exactly as the vet says and go for check-ups.
• Keep Them Safe: If they are wobbly, make sure there are no stairs they could fall down, or put down soft rugs so they don’t slip. If they have fits, clear space around them so they don’t bump into things.
• Help Them Move: Some dogs might need help getting around. There are special slings or even little carts (like wheelchairs for dogs) that can help them stay active.
• Patience and Love: Dogs with neurological problems might sometimes be confused or need extra time. Be patient and give them lots of love and comfort.
• Watch for Changes: Pay attention to how they are doing. If their signs get worse or you see new things, tell your vet right away.
• Special Care Needs: Depending on the problem, they might need help with things like going to the bathroom or eating. Your vet can give you tips.

Caring for a dog with special needs is a big commitment, but it can be incredibly rewarding. It shows how much you love your furry friend. Every dog, whether a tiny teacup puppy or a larger breed like a Beagle, deserves a loving home and the best possible care.

Thinking About Getting a Puppy?

When looking for a new puppy, it’s wonderful to find a healthy one with a good start in life. Responsible breeders and places like Puppy Heaven care deeply about the health and well-being of the puppies. We work to ensure our puppies come from caring environments. While no one can guarantee a dog will never have a health problem in their life, choosing a puppy from a reputable source that prioritizes health is a great first step.

Learning about the general health of different breeds can be interesting. For example, breeds like Poodles (which are part of popular designer breeds like Mini Doodles and Toy Doodles like Cavapoos or Cockapoos) or Havanese (Havamalts, Havapoos) have their own specific health things to watch for, just like any breed. Understanding these general breed characteristics is part of being a responsible pet owner.

Whether you are interested in Purebred Puppies or Designer Breeds, doing your research and being prepared to provide excellent care, including regular vet visits, is key to a long and happy life together.

You can see many adorable puppies available now or coming soon on our website. Each one needs a loving family.