Back Pain in Dogs

050Have you ever suffered sciatic pain? One minute you’re moving around freely and the next you are gripped by a pain so debilitating and excruciating, you can’t move. If you’re fortunate, after a few days or weeks of rest, the pain dissipates. A similar nerve pain can affect dogs. There are a number of causes for back or neck pain in dogs that are due to nerve impingement. It could be a breed related disease e.g. in Dobermans and Dachshunds, or be related to degenerative changes in the spine over time.

Most age related nerve impingement is due to the cartilage disks between the vertebra becoming hard and brittle and along with associated inflammation, pushes up into the spinal cord space.
Symptoms of back pain can vary from mild i.e. reluctance to jump on the sofa or bed and occasional yelping, to severe – such as partial or complete paralysis of one or more legs.
Diagnosis of the condition usually involves neurologic examination, x-rays of the spine under sedation, and may even require CT or MRI scanning to truly localise the area of spine affected.
Treatment will also vary according to the symptoms, from conservative i.e. strict cage rest and anti-inflammatories to surgical intervention where the affected disc is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
There may be other causes of back pain and stiffness that are not from nerve impingement such as arthritis, infections or muscle strain. Any signs of pain or reluctance to jump in your dog should be reason for you to get it checked by your vet. Ignoring the symptoms may have lasting implications on your best friend.