Colin Knapp's Page

As it turns out, Thora was indeed affected by something called Coonhound Paralysis, which comes from raccoon saliva and feces. She has inadvertently killed six or so raccoons in the past and must have come into contact with another prior to her paralysis. However, there were none of the telltale signs that she had been in a scrap with a raccoon other than a small scratch on the top of her head. Coonhound Paralysis is relatively easy to get and temporarily paralyses an animal but can move into th… Continue

Hi all. Thora is doing much better, she has started to walk again and is getting around pretty well for a dog who has been out of commission for a long time. She is super skinny and boney but I have no doubt she will get her muscle back at the rate she is recovering. Anyway it is such a relief to see her pull out of this and get her feet back under her.

Thora is possibly getting worse which is not typically a symptom of Coonhound Paralysis but she is not too much worse which is good. She is still unable to walk or support her own weight and I take her out with a doggy sling so she can go to the bathroom but she is still in good spirits as always. I am taking her back to the CSU vet hospital tomorrow because they want to see her again and I want to make sure everything is ok. Other than that she is doing the same and hopefully on her way to a fu… Continue

Thora has come down with some sort of rare neuromuscular disease that I do not know as of yet if it can be treated. I have taken her to the emergency vet as well as a vet specialist and I am taking her to the Colorado State University vet clinic on Wednesday to see a specialist. It set in relatively quickly (half a day) and it transformed her from and extremely athletic and agile dog into a dog that can barely walk let alone climb stairs, run, play, anything that requires muscle power is pretty… Continue