Have you picked something up wrong and your back remains sore for days? Just like with humans, dogs can struggle with back pain ranging from mild, like the example above to more serious. The more serious issue could be Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This is one of the most common causes of back pain in canines and can lead to reduced mobility and quality of life. Have you picked something up wrong and your back remains sore for days? Just like with humans, dogs can struggle with back pain ranging from mild, like the example above to more serious. The more serious issue could be Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This is one of the most common causes of back pain in canines and can lead to reduced mobility and quality of life. There are two types of IVDD; the most common affects chondrodystrophic dogs (dogs that have short legs and long backs). However, type 2 can occur in any dog breeds. It is just normally a slower decline.
What is IVDD? Type 1 of Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) is when the center of the disk becomes calcified and the capsule becomes brittle. Intervertebral discs are composed of fibrocartilage. They are like jelly cushions for the spine, acting as shock absorbers and enabling mobility. So when they become brittle the capsule of the disk can rupture without warning, allowing the calcified material in the center of the spinal cord to enter the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal cord. Type 2 is similar because the discs become harder and less flexible, like type 1, but this happens over a longer period of time. Eventually the disc breaks down and that jelly-like cushion bulges out, placing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Oftentimes the signs and symptoms are not as severe as those seen in type one. Symptoms The severity of the symptoms a dog has is directly related to how much spinal cord damage has occurred. A small disk rupture, or one that happens slowly and gradually over several weeks, may only cause back or neck pain with minimal paralysis. If a disk ruptures fast and forcefully, the pressure on the spinal cord will cause pain and varying degrees of paralysis. Examples of Symptoms:
If you worry that your dog may be showing any of these symptoms, the first thing to do is call and schedule an appointment with your vet. These symptoms could be many things so its best to talk with them as your first step. Our next blog will discuss what next steps look like as well as treatment. Stay Tuned!
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AuthorOklahoma K9 PT Archives
October 2024
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