Spine Degeneration in Dogs

Spine degeneration in dogs can be described in several ways. The effect of the degeneration on your pet will depend on the type of deterioration, and the prognosis after treatment. The recognition of the need for a veterinarian visit for treatment can be the result of a progressive condition, or may present in an acute manner. It should be noted that some degenerative conditions in dogs may not be easily recognised. Therefore, if you see your pet showing signs of pain or discomfort, contact the veterinarian without delay.

Symptoms of the worsening of a condition of the spine will depend on the type of degeneration.

Degenerative Myelopathy

• Inability to climb stairs or get into a vehicle (meaning rear limb weakness)
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Hind leg muscle loss
• Difficulty lying down or raising up
• Progression may bring bladder and/or bowel incontinence
• As disease progresses you may see hind tail drooping and severe rear leg drag

Intervertebral Disc Disease
The symptoms will vary depending upon the severity of the disease:

• Vocalisation of pain (in back or neck)
• Shivering and rapid breathing
• Movements show a hunched back
• Unwillingness to move because it is difficult to walk
• Severe cases may result in loss of bladder function and the inability to feel pain

Spondylosis Deformans
Dogs may be asymptomatic for this condition, but sometimes can present as follows:

• Obvious bone spurs along spine
• Pain resulting from bone spurs pressing on vertebral ligaments or spinal nerve roots
• Pain evident in hind leg motion

Lumbosacral Stenosis
Older dogs with this condition may be hard to identify as owners often associate the symptoms with age.

• Limping
• Appearing slow to rise
• Experiencing incontinence in the bladder and/or bowel

Causes of spine degeneration are numerous, but the necessity for prompt treatment remains the same:

• Degenerative Myelopathy
• This is a slow onset, painless, progressive deterioration of the spinal cord, which eventually leads to atrophy of the brainstem and cranial nerves. It is similar to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in humans and similarly results in paralysis and death.
• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• This is disc degeneration caused by the loss of the ability of the disc to hold the liquid necessary for proper function, and can result in nucleus pulposus degeneration and extrusion (Hansen type I), or annulus fibrosis disc degeneration and a protrusion (Hansen type II). (There is also Hansen type III which is caused by exercise or trauma).
• Spondylosis Deformans
• Boxers and large breed dogs are reported to be more susceptible to this condition which is caused by disc changes (such as narrowing of spaces between discs), resulting in bony outgrowths that can encroach on the spinal nerve root or spinal cord.
• Lumbosacral Stenosis
• This disease can be congenital or may be a consequence of a degenerative narrowing of the spinal cord. German Shepherds, Boxers and Rottweilers can be prone to this condition which causes instability between the vertebrae.

• Degenerative Myelopathy
• The diagnosis for this condition is one of exclusion, using MRI and myelography to rule out other degenerative diseases. The only way to completely confirm is at the time of autopsy, after the death of the dog by examining changes in the spinal cord characteristic only to this condition.
• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Diagnosis can be made through the process of a radiograph, but the best result for a definitive conclusion is through advanced imaging such as MRI or CT scan. Your pet will be put under general anaesthesia for this procedure.
• Spondylosis Deformans
• The veterinarian will study your pet’s medical history before doing a physical and neurological (testing of reflexes and motor function) exam. Radiographs (x-ray), under anaesthesia, may show evidence of lesions or spurs. Myelography (X-ray using a contrast medium), is performed on canines who are candidates for surgery.
• Lumbosacral Stenosis
• Analytical tools such as x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or myelogram will be used to correctly diagnose and differentiate from other degenerative diseases that may present similarly.

There is no cure for Degenerative Myelopathy though there are adequate tools and resources that can be used in the earlier stages of the disease to make your dog’s mobility and joy of life possible as the illness progresses.

With Intervertebral Disc Disease, Spondylosis Deformans and Lumbosacral Stenosis, the treatment will depend on the severity and the limitations your pet is having mobility wise. All three conditions can be treated with pain relief and movement restriction by imposing crate rest. However, surgery is often the option in order to completely recover normal functions and movement, and to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Degenerative MyeIopathy presents in stages. In the first phase (each phase is 3 to 6 months in duration), physical therapy such as swimming, and tools like hind quarter harnesses can be used to help your dog achieve some day to day normalcy. As the condition progresses into the second phase, aquatic therapy and a harness can still be used. However, complications of the progression, like loss of bladder function will begin to reduce the quality of life for your dog. The end stages will see a multisystem failure, and euthanasia is the common step at this point.

Intervertebral Disc Disease, Spondylosis Deformans and Lumbosacral Stenosis require extensive recovery time and patient management. After surgery, pain medication will be administered immediately. The length of hospital stay depends on individual circumstances but support therapy, physiotherapy, and comprehensive rehabilitation will be necessary in order to assure a comfortable and healthy recovery. It must be noted that despite the best efforts of you and your veterinarian, your dog may never completely recover normal function or the natural mobility he once had.