It is often wrongly assumed that patients with acute hindlimb paralysis carry a poor prognosis and can only be evaluated in specialist referral centres. It is important to realise that only a handful of conditions will typically cause acute hindlimb paralysis and that some of these conditions do not require surgery at all. Fortunately, these non-surgical spinal emergencies are associated with specific clinical characteristics. Following the principles of clinical reasoning can therefore help you recognise these conditions in private practice. This session will focus on how to practically assess, diagnose, and treat common causes of acute hindlimb paralysis in dogs. This will help you increase your confidence and decide which patients need to be referred to and which patients can be treated in your practice.