Dogs are very complex beings when it comes to neurological issues and problems. Much like humans, the nervous system of a dog is a very important part of their entire system. This complex neural system is directly responsible for controlling the creature’s physical and emotional behavior. There are a number of different neurological disorders that are present in dogs and the knowledge of which could help you correctly diagnose your pet and thus find the proper treatment. Not only can dogs have neurological diseases but here are some of the most common ones out there.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures caused by some kind of trauma. This could be due to head injury or other metabolic issues. The disease is very common in dogs and is fairly easy to identify. A number of well researched upon techniques exist to reduce the actual duration of the seizures but a complete cure is yet to be developed.
Parkinson’s disease
As surprising as it may sound, Parkinson’s disease also exists in dogs. It is characterized with symptoms of tremors and difficulty walking. The problem with Parkinson’s disease is that it is currently incurable. However, medications are available to decrease the effect and pain the disease is bound to inflict.
Facial Nerve Paralysis
This disease causes muscles in the face to become paralyzed. The proper cause for this disease has not been identified yet but a number of other diseases might become the cause for it. Hence treating them could help getting rid of this disease. Most dogs recover on their own after a specific period of time.
Dancing Doberman Disease
As obvious by the name, the disease only targets Dobermans (hence a hereditary diseases). The disease causes the gastrocnemius muscles to flex and extend which are located in the dog’s legs. The disease causes much pain to dogs and prohibits them from standing straight.
Scottie Cramp
Another disease that only affects the legs of a dog, Scottie Cramp only affects the Scottish Terriers. The disease is passed on as a hereditary disease and could potentially be eliminated through proper breeding. The disease causes the dog to have leg spasms and is also characterized by breathing problems, collapse and awkward movements.
Tick Paralysis
Ticks have been the enemies of dogs for a long time now. Some female ticks have been causing tick paralysis among dogs when they pass down a special kind of poison in the dog’s bloodstream during the biting process. This causes paralysis and breathing problems in dogs. The solution is the removal of the ticks but late diagnosis could lead to the need of hospitalization.
Wobbler Disease
Wobbler disease is characterized by wobbling walking movements of the dog due to the disease affecting the cervical spine. Wobbler disease is noted primarily in large and giant breed dogs however small does are still at risk of developing this disease. Surgery could be the answer for this disease but should be implemented as a last resort.
Dogs that have neurological diseases can be caused by different things. Some might be simply caused by external factors like reaction to medication, serious injuries or other general health problems. Some dogs might even fall victim to hereditary diseases which might ultimately lead to neurological diseases. No matter what the cause, prompt medical diagnosis as well as a strong dose of love will present the best prognosis for your dog. Always consult your veterinarian.
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