Can Dogs Get Facial Palsy? A Look at Canine Paralysis

What is Canine Facial Paralysis?

Symptoms

The first occurrence of facial paralysis in dogs often happens in the morning. Many dog owners reported during surveys that their pets seemed a bit off that morning.

What's wrong? Due to abnormal functioning of the facial nerve, unaware dogs may first try to bite to make their face seem normal, but this is largely ineffective. Most dogs will eat their kibble frantically, and the food often falls to the other side of their mouth due to the paralysis.

So, what causes facial paralysis? It's not due to a stroke, as one might assume. While humans can develop facial paralysis due to strokes, this condition is distinct in dogs and has no connection to strokes.

Don't be mistaken; canine facial paralysis is not as terrifying as stroke, which can lead to death or severe disabilities. The two conditions are unrelated.

What could cause canine facial paralysis? Here are some potential causes:

Thyroid Hypofunction: A lack of thyroid hormones can slow down a dog's metabolism, eventually leading to facial paralysis.

Ear Infections: The facial nerve passes through the inner ear. If there's an inflammation in the ear that goes untreated for a long time, the inner ear inflammation can compress these nerves and prevent them from working, resulting in facial paralysis.

Various Inflammations: Conditions like meningitis or various neurological inflammations can also lead to facial paralysis.

Injuries: Dogs that have suffered head injuries may develop facial paralysis due to increased intracranial pressure and various residual inflammations.

Brain Tumors: Although rare, it's still a possibility to consider.

Poor Blood Circulation: Blood affects nerve function, and when blood flow is compromised, nerves can also be affected.

While these conditions may seem daunting, the most terrifying is Idiopathic Facial Nerve Palsy (IFNP).

IFNP is the most common type of facial paralysis in dogs and cats. But what causes this type of paralysis? There's no known cause. In other words, despite advances in veterinary medicine, the true cause of IFNP remains a mystery.

Indeed, no matter where you are in the world or how advanced veterinary technology is, IFNP remains unsolved.

Finally, what symptoms might a dog exhibit with facial paralysis?

Typically, only one side of the face is affected, so you might notice an obvious lack of coordination in the dog's face.

The lip on one side is lower, while the other is higher.

One ear may appear softer, while the other remains the same (even in droopyeared dogs, you might notice a difference).

The nose may be visibly twisted.

One eyelid may be more droopy than the other.

The paralyzed eye may blink less and may become dry and prone to inflammation.

Food may get stuck on one side of the mouth, making it difficult for the paralyzed side to work properly.

So, if you notice any signs of facial paralysis, don't hesitate—get your dog to the vet immediately. Some cases of facial paralysis can be recovered from.

On the other hand, while IFNP cannot be fully cured, dog owners can manage it by regularly cleaning the eye on the paralyzed side and scheduling regular checkups.