Spinal cord injury in dogs causes paralysis or paresis with complex welfare implications, and appropriate rehabilitation and assistive equipment can significantly improve quality of life for affected animals.
Spinal cord injury creates immediate and complex welfare challenges requiring careful assessment. The acute phase involves pain and loss of function that requires rapid medical or surgical intervention. Long-term welfare depends on quality of nursing care, bladder management, and provision of mobility assistance. Dogs adapted to wheelchairs often show excellent quality of life indicators including enthusiasm, playfulness, and social engagement. Euthanasia decisions should be based on genuine quality-of-life assessment rather than assumptions about disability.