Vet Guide 2025: Brachial Plexus Avulsion in Dogs and Cats 🐾🧠

Greetings, pet parents! I’m Dr Duncan Houston, your trusted veterinarian. In this extensive 2025 guide, we’ll explore **brachial plexus avulsion and injury** in dogs and cats. You’ll learn about trauma causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment strategies, recovery expectations, home care, and prevention tips 🐶🐱. Let’s dive in!

What Is the Brachial Plexus? 🤔

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves originating from the cervical spinal cord (C6–T2). These nerves run under the shoulder area and innervate the forelimb—providing both **motor control** and **sensation**. Injury to this plexus can impair a pet’s ability to move the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and paw.

What Is Brachial Plexus Avulsion & Injury?

There are two primary forms of injury:

• Brachial Plexus Injury: Stretch or partial tear of the plexus nerves in the armpit.
• Brachial Plexus Avulsion: A severe condition where nerve roots are torn from the spinal cord in the cervical region.

Both injuries often affect one limb and usually result from trauma.

Common Causes of Trauma 🩹

• Automobile accidents – sudden impact or traction forces.
• Bite wounds – especially from larger animals holding the leg.
• Gunshot injuries – damaging nerves directly or via bone fragments.
• Falls – particularly from significant height or awkward landings.
• Surgical complications – rare but can occur during neck or thoracic procedures.

Pets of any age or breed can experience this. The injury severity varies based on nerve stretch, partial tear, or full avulsion.

Clinical Signs & Physical Findings

Signs depend on which nerves are affected and how badly:

• Weakness or paralysis of shoulder, elbow, wrist, paw. The limb may be limp.
• Loss of sensation – your pet may not feel the paw or leg.
• Absent reflexes – especially the withdrawal reflex when the toe is pinched.
• Limb dragging, knuckling, abrasions from dragging paws on the ground.
• Self-licking or chewing due to discomfort or paresthesia—an e-collar may be needed.
• Muscle atrophy over weeks if the nerve isn’t functioning.

How Is It Diagnosed?

History & Physical Exam

Details are key: time of onset, trauma type, other injuries, and limb function post-incident. A specialized neurological exam helps localize the injury to the plexus:

• Check limb movement, reflexes (withdrawal reflex), muscle tone.
• Sensory testing by toe/toe-webbing pinprick.
• Observe for pain responses or withdrawal reactions.

Diagnostic Imaging

• X-rays: Check for bone fractures or nerve root displacement.
• Ultrasound: Useful for nerve swelling.
• CT or CT Myelography: Detects avulsion or nerve root damage.
• MRI: Provides the clearest view of root avulsions or nerve injury.

Imaging helps distinguish partial nerve injuries, root avulsions, and guide prognosis.

Treatment Approaches 🏥

Emergency Care & Supportive Measures

Immediate priorities include:

• Managing other life-threatening injuries (e.g., bleeding, fractures).
• Pain control with analgesics (NSAIDs, opiates).
• Hydration and soft bedding to reduce injury risk.
• Preventing self-trauma with e-collars and dressing any abrasions.

Conservative / Supportive Care

If nerves are stretched but partially intact:

• Gentle range-of-motion exercises to maintain joint flexibility.
• Physiotherapy to preserve muscle mass and prevent contractures.
• Neuropathic pain medications if needed.
• Regular wound checks and protection to prevent further injury.

Some pets may regain function over 6–12 weeks, though full recovery varies.

Surgical Options

• Neurolysis: Freeing nerves from scar tissue.
• Neurotomy or nerve transfers: Rare, experimental, and specialized procedures.
• Amputation: Considered if no function returns and limb is painful or non-functional—enhances quality of life.

Referral to a veterinary neurologist or surgeon is essential for these advanced treatments.

Monitoring & Follow-Up 📅

• Frequent vet visits to assess sensation and motor return.
• Watch for new wounds, swelling, or self-trauma.
• Track muscle atrophy and joint stiffness.
• Adjust pain relief and support as healing progresses.

Prognosis & Recovery Outlook

Home Care Tips 🏡

• Soft bedding and padded floors to reduce trauma.
• Non-slip rugs to stabilize gait.
• Assistive harness for mobilizing the pet.
• Regular massage and passive limb movement.
• Monitor nails and paw pads for scrapes.
• Elevated food/water bowls to reduce strain on the affected limb.

Prevention Strategies 🚧

• Never let pets roam near traffic unsupervised.
• Prevent access to high-risk areas for falls.
• Avoid letting pets ride unrestrained in truck beds.
• Monitor rough play that might twist or injure limbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can brachial plexus injuries heal fully?

Yes—if nerves are stretched but intact, full recovery is possible with supportive care.

When is amputation considered?

If months pass without nerve recovery and the limb is non-functional or painful, amputation can improve mobility and comfort.

Do these injuries hurt?

They can—because nerve trauma may cause neuropathic pain. Pain management is vital throughout treatment.

Should I see a neurologist/surgeon?

Your primary vet can start diagnostics, but severe or avulsion injuries should be referred to specialists for imaging and surgical planning.

Does physiotherapy help?

Yes—rehab supports joint mobility, muscle maintenance, and prevents secondary complications. Home exercises and professional therapy both support outcomes.

Conclusion

Brachial plexus avulsion and injury are serious but manageable conditions. With early intervention, thorough evaluation, attentive supportive care, and, when needed, surgical consideration, many pets recover or adapt well. Your role at home—supervised exercise, wound monitoring, safe environment—is critical.

As always, Ask A Vet (visit AskAVet.com or download our app) is here to offer telehealth consultations, tailored treatment plans, and around-the-clock advice for your pet’s recovery journey 🐾📱.

We're by your side—every step of the way!