Cervical disc disease involves the acute or chronic pressure of material from an intervertebral disc pressing on or around the spinal cord in the area of the neck. This condition may be referred to as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) that occurs in the cervical area of the neck.

The exact cause of disc degeneration is unknown but in many cases there is a change in the content of the disc from a soft, pliable gel to stiff mineral that can slowly compress the spinal cord or suddenly burst into the spinal canal. Discs in the cervical region of the spine can affect the front legs and the back legs to varying degrees. This disc disease can affect one side of the body or both sides.

Dogs may show only mild neck pain all the way through to complete paralysis of all four legs without the ability to perceive any sensation whatsoever. Sudden onset neck pain is the most common clinical sign.

Chondrodystrophic breeds such as dachshunds and Pekingese are among the breeds more commonly affected. There is a higher incidence in beagles. Most dogs are middle aged and there is no sex predilection.

What to Watch For

Sudden onset of neck pain

Clumsiness or "walking drunk"

Inability to walk

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a general physical examination initially and then focus on a neurological assessment of your pet. Because the amount of disc material pressing on the spinal cord can be small or large, and the rate at which the spinal cord is pinched can be fast or slow, the signs your dog shows can be extremely variable.

If your dog can walk normally but has back pain, your veterinarian will palpate the spine by applying gentle pressure to it to try to locate the affected area.

If your dog can walk but is clumsy, your veterinarian will check to see that only the back legs are affected and the front legs and head are normal.

If your dog cannot walk, your veterinarian will pinch the toes of the back legs to assess your dog's awareness of pain. Your dog may pull the leg back as a reflex response (the withdrawal reflex); however, your veterinarian will want to see if your dog cries out or tries to bite, indicating that he feels pain in the affected limbs. Just pulling the leg back does not indicate that your dog can feel his legs.

Radiographs of the spine may be helpful to localize the affected disc space, but definitive diagnosis of spinal cord compression is usually obtained by injecting a dye into the spinal canal, a procedure called a myelogram. When available, a CT scan may prove to be an alternative to myelography.

Treatment

The type of appropriate treatment will depend on the severity of the clinical signs. Dogs with milder forms of the disease may be treated medically, whereas more severe cases may need surgery. Treatment may include one or more of the following:

Medical treatment may consist of rest and anti-inflammatory medication, usually in the form of steroids. Muscle relaxants may also be used to alleviate spinal muscle spasm.

Surgical management may be recommended, particularly if the signs are severe or there is no response to medical management. This involves localizing the exact site of the disc extrusion with a myelogram or CT scan. Then a "window" is made in the spinal bone to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord and to allow access to the disc material so that it can be removed.

Home Care and Prevention

Strict cage rest will be essential for at least four weeks when opting for medical management. This rest is essential to allow a scar to form over the top of the disc material; early activity may precipitate the herniation of the rest of the disc material and worsening of your dog's condition. Failure to confine a dog with disc herniation is a common reason for early recurrence.

If your dog is unable to urinate on his own, he will need help emptying his bladder. When the bladder overfills, urine dribbles out, but this results in stretching of the bladder and may make your dog unable to urinate even if there is improvement in the condition of the spinal cord. Bladder emptying is usually done three to four times a day. If your dog is released from the hospital while he is still having difficulty urinating be sure that your veterinarian shows you how to empty the bladder (called "expressing" the bladder).

If your dog is unable to walk, physical therapy is important to promote muscle strength. Have your veterinarian or the veterinary staff show you how to do this.

Be prepared for small increments of improvement. Depending on the severity of the disease your veterinarian will estimate how long your dog's recovery may take. Most likely your dog won't walk immediately away after surgery. Just as in people, it takes time to recover from spinal cord injury, so be patient.

Observe your dog closely for any worsening of clinical signs. If you notice any deterioration in your dog's condition, contact your veterinarian immediately. If he is predisposed to back problems be aware of the early signs of disc disease. If he shows any sign that might indicate a neurologic problem, seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.