Suprascapular Nerve Paralysis in Dogs and Cats
📝 Summary
Suprascapular nerve paralysis follows a blow, impact, or overstretch to the shoulder, causing the shoulder to jut outward and the shoulder muscles to waste over time. Nerve-supportive care and rehab help recovery.
1 Symptoms
It is usually traumatic: a blow, impact, or stretch injury to the front of the shoulder. A newer view holds that a sudden violent backward over-extension of the shoulder causes the paralysis.
Complete paralysis: at stand the shoulder abducts away from the chest wall, the chest front shows a hollow, the shoulder joint juts outward, and weight-bearing makes the shoulder deviate outward; lifting the good limb makes it more obvious. Long-standing cases show shoulder muscle atrophy. Incomplete paralysis is mild and hard to notice; over time the shoulder muscles atrophy progressively.
2 Causes and Transmission
Trauma to the shoulder (blow, impact, overstretch). It is not contagious.
3 Diagnosis
A neurological examination localizes the suprascapular nerve and shoulder muscle atrophy. Imaging checks for fracture.
Other shoulder or forelimb nerve injuries should be ruled out.
4 Treatment
Anti-inflammatory medication, warm compresses, and nutritional support; analgesic medication may relieve pain and prevent atrophy. B-vitamin and calcium support bone and nerve health.
Massage and controlled rehabilitation aid recovery; severe cases may need surgical evaluation.
5 Prevention
Prevent shoulder trauma and overexertion. Early rehabilitation preserves muscle.
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