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Section: Information In-depth
In normal animals, electrical signals travel from the brain down the spinal cord and then follow the path of individual peripheral nerves. The nerves branch and supply the muscles of the body. When the electrical signal reaches the muscle, it results in muscle contraction and movement. Therefore, widespread diseases of the peripheral nervous system cause muscular weakness and in severe cases, paralysis. Dogs with polyradiculoneuritis often begin showing signs of weakness one to two weeks following raccoon exposure, although the disease has been reported in animals with no history of exposure. Something in the raccoon's saliva is thought to initiate the damaging immune response. Weakness most often starts in the hind legs and the dog's bark may also be noticeably weaker than normal. Signs generally worsen over a period of about 10 days, although however complete paralysis can occur within 24 hours in rapid cases.
Botulism is a rapidly fatal disease resulting from nerve toxin produced by **Clostridium** bacteria. Dogs generally come in contact with the bacterial toxin is by consuming dead animals that contain the...
Tick bite paralysis is an uncommon illness in dogs that occurs after a tick attaches to a dog, begins to engorge with blood and finally secretes a toxin. This toxin blocks the nerve function to the muscles...
Myasthenia gravis is a disorder characterized by muscular weakness that is aggravated by activity and relieved by rest. It is caused by an impairment of transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles, which...
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