Coonhound paralysis is an acute neurologic disorder that affects dogs, particularly their nerves that control muscles of the hind and fore limbs, neck muscles and the muscles responsible for barking and breathing.

Diagnosis is made through neurological exams, muscle testing, muscle and nerve biopsy, nerves testing and spinal tap.

There is no single drug to treat coonhound paralysis. The best treatment for this condition is physiotherapy and nursing care.

Once the dog is infected, symptoms will show on the 7th to 14th day. First, the dog’s limbs will develop gait in various degrees and experience overall weakness or paralysis. Voice changes or voice loss would occur. Some experience weakness of facial muscles, including sagging eyes, drooping lips and no facial expressions. When the condition becomes severe, dogs experience breathing difficulties, which could lead to inability to breathe. Muscle weakness would continue up to four months, wherein the affected dog would lose weight considerably.

Coonhound paralysis is linked to the overstimulation of the dog’s immune system. Other factors suspected to be associated with this disease include viral respiratory infection, contact with raccoons, gastrointestinal infection, bacterial infection and vaccinations.