Herniated or ruptured discs are a problem for dogs as well as humans. Owners of breeds known to be predisposed to intervertebral disc disease can reduce their dog’s risk with appropriate exercise and diet. The condition can be diagnosed with myelograms, MRIs and/or CT scans. If intervertebral disc disease is ruled out, other neurological disorders must be considered.
Dog Breeds at Higher Risk for Intervertebral Disc Disease
The chondrodystrophic breeds, which include many whose legs are short in proportion to their body length, are more prone to herniated discs. But other breeds such as the beagle are also known to have the same faulty development or nourishment of the cartilage. Owners of these dog breeds should be aware of the potential problem and consult with their veterinarian regarding the appropriate exercise regime and diet to reduce risk of rupture.
Swimming and other non-weight bearing exercise will help keep the muscles that hold the spine in place as strong as possible and controlled walking may be helpful in some cases.
Maintaining optimum weight reduces pressure on the spine. Special diets have been of help in prevent developing ruptured discs in chondrodystrophic breeds. A veterinarian should be consulted before initiating any exercise or diet changes.
Types of Intervertebral Disc Disease
Type I is the type seen most often in chondrodystrophic breeds, particularly when a herniated disc occurs at a young age. Degenerative changes to the discs may occur before one year of age in these breeds and large tears may result. This is the type of ruptured disc seen in many cases of spinal trauma as well.
In Type II intervertebral disc disease older dogs are more often affected and age-related changes to the disc are often a predisposing factor. The onset may be slower and less obvious to the dog owner.
The Signs and Symptoms of Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease
Where the damaged disc is will affect what signs and symptoms dog owners see. The majority of herniated discs occur along the middle back. This is the area that is least supported by any other part of the canine body. The second most common area is in the neck or cervical spine.
Dogs with degenerative disc disease will usually be in pain. This is because the ruptured disc often puts pressure on the spinal cord. It is also an important part of the diagnosis, as other neurological disorders may be relatively pain free. For example, in canine degenerative myelopathy it is the spinal cord itself which is deteriorating, which often results in lack of feeling rather than pain.
Dogs with intervertebral disc disease may wobble or be uncoordinated or unsteady on their feet. In more severe situations there may be muscle weakness or paralysis. In most cases, myelograms, or combination myelogram-CT scans or MRIs will be needed to determine which disc is herniated and how severe the spinal damage is.
Treatment of intervertebral disc disease may range from enforced rest to surgery, dependent on the severity of the case and requires close cooperation between dog owners and veterinary staff for optimum success.
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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