Spinal Spondylosis in Dogs

By Jennifer Gittins

Instructions

Causes

Step 1:
Currently, the exact cause of canine spondylosis is unknown. The condition may be due to genetics, trauma or various environmental factors that are specific to each breed of dog.

Symptoms

Step 1:
Symptoms of canine spinal spondylosis include a stiffness of the back, back pain, lameness, muscle atrophy and whining or yelping whenever the dog's back is touched. In rare cases, neurological problems may exist.

Diagnosis

Step 1:
To diagnose spinal spondylosis in a dog, the veterinarian may perform several tests. These may include an X-ray, a myelogram (a test for compression of the spine), force plate analysis (a measurement of weight tolerance) and joint fluid analysis (to differentiate between degenerative disease and infectious disease).

Treatment

Step 1:
Depending on the severity of the condition, the dog may receive corrective surgery, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, medication for pain, acupuncture and physical therapy.

Prognosis

Step 1:
For most dogs, spondylosis appears during old age. This leads to a good prognosis, because many dogs become less active as they age, which allows those that are affected by spondylosis to continue living a relatively good life.

Photo/Video Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of flattop341

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