Herniated discs are not uncommon in dogs. In principle, they can occur in all four-legged friends, although some breeds are more prone to it. Such discopathy can occur in varying degrees of severity in all areas of the spine.
If your dog suffers a herniated disc, this is associated with great pain and, in severe cases, often with impaired motor skills. In the following you will find out how to recognize a herniated disc in your dog and what treatment measures are necessary.
What is a herniated disc?
Your dog’s spine is made up of vertebrae, some of which are fused together. Between the individual vertebrae are the intervertebral discs, which serve as a kind of buffer. The intervertebral discs are ring-shaped cartilage tissue that encloses a soft gelatinous core.
If your dog suffers a herniated disc, the nucleus will come out of the disc. As a result, this then presses on the nerves or the spinal cord, which can lead to severe pain and symptoms of paralysis in the affected animals.
Herniated disc in dogs: possible causes
In most cases, a herniated disc in dogs is caused by degenerative changes in disc tissue. There are various reasons for this wear and tear. In addition to overloading or incorrect loading, overweight can also lead to a dog suffering from a herniated disc.
In addition, the normal aging process also leads to wear and tear on the intervertebral discs. This is why herniated discs are particularly common in older animals.
These dog breeds often suffer from a herniated disc
In addition to the causes mentioned, herniated discs in dogs can also occur due to breed. For some dog breeds, the risk of discopathy is particularly high, even in middle age. This is especially true for dogs with a long back and short legs.
On the one hand, the long back leads to an above-average load on the intervertebral discs and, on the other hand, the intervertebral discs in affected breeds calcify comparatively early. As a result, they lose their elasticity and can no longer fulfill their function as a buffer between the vertebrae.
Dog breeds that are more prone to herniated discs include:
- Pekinese
- basset hound
- dachshund
- beagle
- Shi Tzu
- spaniel
- German shepherd
- Labrador Retrievers
- Shar pei
- poodle
- Welsh Corgi
Symptoms of a herniated disc in dogs
The exact symptoms of the herniated disc in the affected dog depend on the one hand on the place where it occurs and on the other hand on its severity. In any case, a herniated disc is usually associated with severe pain for the animal. As an owner, you can recognize the pain by, among other things, your dog arching its back, being sensitive to touch in the affected area and refusing strenuous movements such as climbing stairs.
If the entire intervertebral disc tissue comes out, the herniated disc in your dog can also lead to coordination disorders, a limping gait or even to the affected limbs dragging, up to and including signs of paralysis.
A stiff neck can sometimes also be observed in dogs with herniated discs in the cervical spine. Due to the pressure on the nerves, it is also possible that your four-legged friend can no longer control his sphincters and becomes incontinent.
Herniated disc in dogs: diagnosis and treatment
As soon as you suspect that your dog has a herniated disc, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. They can do a neurological exam. In addition, the veterinarian will use imaging diagnostics (X-ray, CT, MRI) to rule out other causes of the symptoms such as vertebral fractures or tumors and to find out the exact location of the herniated disc.
Based on the results of the examination, the veterinarian then decides what treatment measures need to be taken. If your dog has a slight herniated disc that does not show signs of paralysis or incontinence, painkillers and rest, followed by physiotherapy, are usually sufficient for treatment.
However, if your dog’s symptoms do not improve or if symptoms such as paralysis occur, surgery may be necessary. The surgical treatment of a herniated disc in your dog should always be carried out by a specialist. In addition, a regeneration phase lasting several weeks is required afterwards, in which your dog has to take it easy and his muscles should be strengthened through physiotherapy.
Herniated disc in dogs: prognosis
How good the chances of recovery are for a dog after a herniated disc cannot be said in general terms. In general, early treatment increases the likelihood of full recovery.
On the other hand, if the herniated disc in your dog is not recognized until late and is accompanied by clear signs of paralysis, serious damage to the nerve tissue may already have occurred. In this case, permanent limitations in motor skills are unfortunately not uncommon.
Prevention of herniated disc in dogs
It is true that a herniated disc in dogs can never be avoided one hundred percent. Still, there are a number of rules you should follow to prevent it. This is especially true if you own a breed of dog that is prone to herniated discs.
- Don’t let your dog jump out of the car.
- Avoid climbing stairs frequently.
- Make sure that your four-legged friend does not become too fat.
- Provide a warm place to sleep without drafts.
- When lifting your dog, make sure to keep his back straight.
- Switching to a dog harness relieves the cervical spine.
If your four-legged friend is already suffering from back problems, it can also make sense to visit a physiotherapist regularly to reduce the risk of discopathy.
supports you with the treatment costs
Treating a dog with a herniated disc obviously has some costs associated with it. If an operation is required, you even have to reckon with a four-digit invoice amount.
If you want to protect yourself from such high veterinary costs, we recommend that you take out dog health insurance. It is best to send us your insurance application today so that the treatment of a herniated disc or another disease in your dog can no longer cause you financial problems in the future.