Intervertebral Disc Disease - Thoracolumbar Area in Dogs

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) - Thoracolumbar Area in Dogs

By: Dr. Nicholas Trout

Section: Overview

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize T-L disc disease and differentiate it from other diseases that may cause similar signs.

In addition to obtaining a complete medical history and performing a thorough general physical examination, your veterinarian will likely perform the following tests:

  • Neurological assessment. 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 (apply gentle pressure to it) to try to localize the pain.

    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/she 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 for T-L disc disease 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

    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. You should carry your dog outside several times a day to allow him to urinate and defecate, but do not allow him to run around the yard. 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.

    Don't let your dog become overweight. Obesity increases stress to the mid-portion of the spine of these "long dogs."

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Lumbo-Sacral Disease

      Lumbo-sacral disease, also called "cauda equina" syndrome, is the compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord as they pass through the lower back; it can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Laminectomy

      Laminectomy refers to a surgical procedure in which a portion of the bone of a spinal vertebra is removed to allow access to the spinal canal and/or achieve decompression of the spinal cord.

      Read MoreRead More
    • Related Articles
    • 1 Lumbo-Sacral Disease

      Lumbo-sacral disease, also called "cauda equina" syndrome, is the compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord as they pass through the lower back; it can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Laminectomy

      Laminectomy refers to a surgical procedure in which a portion of the bone of a spinal vertebra is removed to allow access to the spinal canal and/or achieve decompression of the spinal cord.

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1 Lumbo-Sacral Disease

      Lumbo-sacral disease, also called "cauda equina" syndrome, is the compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord as they pass through the lower back; it can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Laminectomy

      Laminectomy refers to a surgical procedure in which a portion of the bone of a spinal vertebra is removed to allow access to the spinal canal and/or achieve decompression of the spinal cord.

      Read MoreRead More