Swim your dog back to full fitness
Other Spinal Disorders
This list is by no means exhaustive but just covers some of the main conditions we see.
Intervertebral Disc Dsease
The fibrous tissue that separates the intervertebral discs from the spinal cord (see
above) can degenerate and rupture, causing pain and paralysis. For most dogs, corticosteroids
are beneficial when given on the same day that injury occurs. After that, the most
important part of treatment is rest, usually for at least two weeks. Hydrotherapy
is instrumental in recovery of muscle wastage after any significant rest period.
Wobbler syndrome
This serious condition, also known as cervical spondylomyelopathy, occurs most frequently
in young Great Danes and young to middle-aged Dobermans. It causes progressive loss
of coordination in the hind legs, caused by instability of the vertebrae in the neck
that results in compression and damage to the spinal cord. If untreated, partial
paralysis may spread to the front legs. Wobbler syndrome responds best to early surgical
correction,and hydrotherapy combined with physiotherapy can assist in recovery.
By maintaining good muscle tone and therefore helping to maintain a good quality
of life.
Spondylosis
Spondylosis deformans (also called ankylosing spondylitis, or diskospondylosis) ) is a generalised disease of ageing secondary to the degeneration of intervertebral disks which lie between the vertebrae in the spine. On XRays of the back spondylosis is characterised by the formation of new bone (osteophytes or spurs) around the affected disk, and occasionally complete bridges can form causing stability across the disk space.
Treatment is given to alleviate symptoms when they do occur e.g. for pain relief. There is no generally accepted satisfactory surgical treatment. If the new bone is removed it simply reforms. Therefore our role is to assist in keeping the dogs mobility as high as possible and maintaining a good quality of life.