A sharp movement or sudden force may
cause the outer ring to rupture, allowing the core material to
protrude into the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal cord.
Disc disease can occur anywhere along the spinal canal. This
pressure may result in pain in the neck, back, abdomen, a
reluctance to jump or use stairs, lame to paralyzed limbs, and loss
of control over bladder or bowels.
The disc can also be damaged
from an injury, such as jumping off furniture, resulting in the
condition called a "slipped disc". In this condition, the disc has
been forced out of its normal location and pushes against the
spinal cord itself causing pressure on the nerves.
Medical treatment may relieve
pain and inflammation, but surgery is often required to relieve
severe pressure. Surgery involves scraping out the diseased disc
material to relieve the pressure and prevent future episodes of
pain.
Neck lesions usually require
surgical intervention whereas lower spinal problems may or may not
require surgery. The problem tends to reoccur in other disc
locations, especially if the pet continues to do a lot of jumping
and is overweight.
The treatment recommended by your
veterinarian, and the prognosis for recovery is based on the
severity of the signs, the rapidity in which the problem developed,
and the time elapsed since the problem began.
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs
and x-rays. If medical therapy is utilized, complete rest with
exercise restriction is vital and instructions must be followed
explicitly. Early treatment increases the chances of recovery. In
mild cases, drugs are given to decrease inflammation and swelling
of the spinal cord. Muscle relaxants, antibiotics, and
pain-relieving medications are also given.
If surgery is advised, laboratory
work and special x-ray studies may be needed prior to surgery. In
either method, the recovery may be quite gradual over a period of
many weeks. Unfortunately, not all cases respond to treatment, and
the animal may be partially, or completely permanently
disabled.
Signs may develop gradually or
suddenly. The sudden onset of intervertebral disc disease is an
emergency situation. If you suspect disc disease in your pet call
us immediately.
Signs include:
- rear leg weakness
- pain in the neck, back or
abdomen
- rigid abdomen
- pain when picked up
- reluctance to move
- loss of urine and bowel
control
- reluctance to jump or use
stairs
- lame to paralyzed limbs
REMEMBER, once this problem has
occurred, it can happen again. Keeping your dog's weight down
and discouraging jumping will help a great deal!
