TL;DR: Paddling is a rhythmic, involuntary movement often signaling a seizure; you should treat it as a medical emergency and contact a veterinarian immediately if it lasts longer than two minutes.
What is paddling in dogs and what does it mean?
Paddling describes involuntary, rhythmic limb movements where a dog appears to be swimming or running while lying on their side. This behavior is frequently a sign of a neurological event, such as a seizure, and is often accompanied by muscle rigidity, drooling, or a total loss of consciousness.
Is paddling in dogs considered a medical emergency?
Urgency Level: High. You should treat this as a medical emergency and contact an emergency veterinarian immediately if:
- The paddling lasts longer than two to three minutes.
- Your dog has multiple episodes within 24 hours (cluster seizures).
- Your dog is experiencing a single episode, as it indicates a serious underlying issue and risks for brain damage or hyperthermia.
How can providing video or photos of the paddling help the veterinary team?
If it is safe to do so, filming a short video of the episode is one of the most helpful things you can do for the veterinary team. Visual evidence helps the vet by:
- Distinguishing between a true seizure, a fainting spell (syncope), or harmless dreaming.
- Prioritizing your dog's care upon arrival.
- Deciding which diagnostic tests are most urgent for your pet.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cases of tick paralysis or acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis, progression of paralysis can lead to tetraplegia and respiratory muscle failure, potentially manifesting as abnormal breathing patterns or respiratory complications. With paralysis, the animal may become unable to move its limbs. Clinical signs such as gagging, grunting, or coughing may be present, along with possible regurgitation or vomiting. Additionally, loss of normal thermoregulation can result in hyper- or hypothermia, and shivering may be absent in severe cases.
Chapter: Neurology, Toxicology, Emergency
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1316)