Dog recovering from spinal injury

When Trauma Strikes: A Dog's Amazing Spinal Cord Recovery

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a dog's spinal injury, causing a rare posture, surprisingly resolved, highlighting the potential for recovery and innovative veterinary care."

Spinal cord injuries are a serious concern in veterinary medicine, often resulting from accidents, falls, or other traumas. These injuries can lead to a range of neurological issues, impacting a dog's mobility and overall quality of life. One particularly striking sign of severe spinal cord trauma is the Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon.

The Schiff-Sherrington posture is characterized by a rigid extension of the front limbs coupled with paralysis or weakness in the hind limbs. This unusual posture indicates significant damage in the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord, disrupting the communication between the brain and the limbs.

While the Schiff-Sherrington posture often signals a poor prognosis, a recent case study offers a beacon of hope. This article delves into the story of a dog who presented with this posture after a traumatic injury but defied expectations with a remarkable recovery, emphasizing the importance of advanced diagnostics and tailored treatment approaches.

Decoding the Dog's Road to Recovery

A four-year-old female dog was brought in after being hit by a car. Upon examination, she exhibited non-ambulatory paraparesis (inability to walk with her hind legs), extensor rigidity in her forelimbs (the Schiff-Sherrington posture), and signs of pain. Diagnostics revealed a spinal cord injury between the T12 and T13 vertebrae.

The dog's treatment plan involved a combination of medications to reduce inflammation, manage pain, and support nerve function. This "conservative treatment" approach aimed to minimize further damage and promote the body's natural healing processes. The medications included:

Dexamethasone: To reduce inflammation in the acute phase.
Meloxicam, Tramadol, and Dipyrone: To manage pain effectively.
Omeprazole: To protect the gastrointestinal tract from potential side effects of other medications.
Vitamin Complex (A, C, E, Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium) and Vitamin B Complex: To support nerve health and overall recovery.

Remarkably, the dog began to show signs of improvement within just 24 hours. The Schiff-Sherrington posture resolved, and she was able to stand. Within ten days, she regained the ability to walk without assistance. This case highlights the potential for recovery even in severe spinal cord injuries.

Hope and Healing: What This Recovery Means for Dogs with Spinal Injuries

This case study challenges the often-pessimistic outlook associated with the Schiff-Sherrington posture. While this posture typically indicates a severe spinal cord injury, this dog's recovery demonstrates that positive outcomes are possible, especially with prompt and appropriate veterinary care.

The use of MRI played a crucial role in diagnosing the injury and ruling out other complications like fractures or dislocations. Early diagnosis and tailored treatment, focusing on minimizing secondary damage and supporting the body's healing capabilities, were key to this dog's successful recovery.

This story serves as a reminder of the resilience of animals and the importance of continued research and advancements in veterinary neurology. It provides hope for pet owners facing similar challenges and underscores the value of proactive and comprehensive veterinary care in spinal cord injuries.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.21708/avb.2016.10.2.5736, Alternate LINK

Title: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury With Schiff-Sherrington Posture And Spontaneous Resolution In A Dog: Mri Evaluation

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: Acta Veterinaria Brasilica

Publisher: Editora da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido - EdUFERSA

Authors: Vinicius Gonzalez Peres Albernaz, Isabella De Almeida Fabris, Bruna Ribeiro Paiva, Jeniffer Gabriela Figueroa Coris, Juliany Gomes Quitzan

Published: 2016-05-23

Everything You Need To Know

What is Schiff-Sherrington posture in dogs, and why is it important to recognize?

Schiff-Sherrington posture is a specific presentation following spinal cord injury. It's characterized by rigid extension of the front limbs alongside paralysis or weakness in the hind limbs. This posture suggests there is significant damage within the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord, disrupting how the brain communicates with the limbs. It is important because it usually indicates a severe injury, so seeing a recovery from it is noteworthy.

What specific medications were used as part of the 'conservative treatment' approach, and what did each medication target?

The dog was given a combination of medications to address different aspects of her condition. Dexamethasone was used to reduce inflammation quickly. Meloxicam, Tramadol, and Dipyrone were given for pain management. Omeprazole protected her gastrointestinal system from the potential side effects of other medications, and a complex of Vitamins A, C, E, Zinc, Magnesium, and Selenium, along with Vitamin B Complex, was given to support nerve health and overall recovery. This approach is referred to as conservative treatment.

Where was the spinal cord injury located in the dog, and why is the location of such injuries significant?

The injury was located between the T12 and T13 vertebrae. The location of spinal injuries helps to determine the symptoms that are likely to occur and the prognosis. The specific vertebrae that are affected will relate to specific functional deficits. For example, injuries higher up on the spinal cord may affect breathing, while injuries lower down may affect bowel and bladder control.

Why is this dog's recovery considered remarkable, especially given her initial presentation?

The dog's case is significant because she presented with the Schiff-Sherrington posture, which often suggests a poor outlook. Her recovery highlights that a positive outcome is possible with timely and appropriate veterinary care. It suggests that even in cases of severe spinal cord injury, the body's healing processes, combined with medical support, can lead to surprising improvements.

What does conservative treatment typically entail for spinal cord injuries, and when might surgery be considered instead?

Conservative treatment for spinal cord injuries, as demonstrated in this case, typically involves managing inflammation, pain, and supporting nerve function to encourage the body’s natural healing processes. While surgery might be considered in certain cases to stabilize the spine or relieve pressure, conservative treatment focuses on minimizing further damage and creating an environment conducive to recovery. The specifics can vary significantly based on the individual case and veterinarian's assessment.