Day 9: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

Today has shown more improvement. Sully has regained almost all control in his face and nose, and now only has slight difficulty swallowing dry dog food. His bark is still unusually low and raspy, but I have read that an altered bark can sometimes be a lasting side effect. I am so glad that this pet owner's nightmare is almost over.

Day 8: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

Sully's appetite is steadily increasing, so I have been able to cut back somewhat on the high calorie paste. He is drinking enough now that fluids may only be needed periodically. He has regained the majority of muscle control in the upper part of his face and ears, but no movement in his lips or nose. He is still quite sluggish but overall all in a much better disposition.

Day 7: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

    Sully is showing so much improvement today. He has some blinking function in both eyes, his ears can twitch somewhat, and he barked. His bark is low and raspy, but I was still very excited to hear it. With no increased function of his lips, I will still be giving him fluids. The increase in energy now that he can eat some soft foods is amazing. I can make his normal kibbles soft with the corn syrup mixture I cited in an earlier post, or with a dog food "gravy". I am going to take him for a walk around the park. He deserves it.
Dog Food Gravy

Day 6: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

     SULLY ATE SCRAMBLED EGGS LAST NIGHT! His appetite was spurred by the coaxing of a milk-bone, and finally he ate a few servings of scrambled eggs from my hand. This is a big step forward.
     On our last walk he finally defecated, nearly six full days after the onset of the paralysis. I am giving him more scrambled eggs today, and small amounts of Beneful chewies soaked in water. He is going to the water bowl regularly now, and I am going to reduce his IV fluids to 300 CCs a day, pending him not showing the signs of dehydration.
     While putting eyedrops in his eyes, his upper eyelid began to move. I am really excited about this.
     He seems more at ease, and slept through the afternoon in my bed. I hope things continue to improve.
How to check your dog for dehydration

Day 5: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

     Sully seems somewhat better today. I offer him praise for every small thing he acomplishes, because it is apparent that his mood and will power will have great impact on his ability to make it through this ordeal.
     He has improved his ability to lap water, with slow deliberate licks. I will still have to give him IV fluids twice a day, because he can't get enough down on his own. I put a milkbone treat in front of him, and while he ultimately turned away from it, I saw his nose twitch for a split second when he moved in to sniff it.
     I am now putting eye drops in his eyes every two hours, as they have become irritated from not being able to blink. He lays in one spot most of the time, and no longer seeks to lay in a room I'm in.
     Overall, he seems more affected by depression that physical deterioration. No matter how long it takes, I won't give up on him.
Eye Drops

Day 4: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

Sully seems to feel slightly better. The IV fluids seemed to help out a lot. He is on a diet entirely made up of the high calorie past. I am taking him on slow walks around the block, but he is becoming increasingly weak and dejected. When I came home today from a short errand, he was lying in the corner and wouldn't get up.
     He is not wagging his tail anymore, and stumbles a little when he walks. I am going to give him 300 CCs of fluid through the IV, and 2 1/2 tea spoons of the high calorie paste (He weighs 68 lbs). He still urinates, but has not defecated since the onset of the paralysis. The vet says this should not cause alarm as of yet, due to the extremely limited size of his diet.
     When he does get short periods of sleep, I can see his whiskers twitching occasionally. I take this as a sign that his body is fighting the paralysis. You have to look for small rays of hope.
How to give a dog IV fluids

Day 3: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

Sully has stopped vomiting regularly, but still cannot eat or drink without gagging. His appetite is virtually gone, and he refuses food. The vet has advised mixing PET milk, corn syrup, egg, and water to create a makeshift liquid food. I froze the mixture into very small ice cubes which he can choke down a few at a time. I also purchased a high calorie vitamin supplement paste from Petsmart. I can rub a few drops at a time onto his tongue and hold his mouth closed while he swallows it.
     His lower eyelids droop heavily and he cannot blink, making it hard for him to fall asleep. He tossed anxiously all of last night, and is increasingly wobbly and sluggish while walking today. I have started covering his face with a handkerchief blindfold so that he can rest while lying down.
     Despite licking or swallowing ice cubes, Sully's inability to lap water and constant drooling has dramatically cut down on his ability to take in and retain fluids. I have a roll of paper towels in every room to wipe up his drool. He is showing signs of dehydration. A friend of my mother who was a vet-tech is coming by to show me how to administer IV fluids.
     Even though he feels terrible, Sully still bolts upright whenever someone knocks on the door. But he has lost the ability to bark.
High Calorie Vitamin Paste for dogs