Rehabilitation and Conditioning for Animals

Canine Disc Disease

What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine

Canine intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a common problem in dogs that can result in back or neck pain, trouble walking, lameness, trouble urinating, and/ or paralysis. Disc herniation (a ‘slipped disc’) can result in a sudden onset of signs. This can happen in dogs of any age or breed, but more commonly affects predisposed breeds such as daschunds, bassett hounds, corgis, and dobermans, to name a few.

How does this happen?

Is important to consider the make-up of the spinal column and vertebrae (back bones) to understand why this disease happens. The vertebrae are lined up from the neck to the tail as small blocks, with the spinal cord running through a hole in the middle. The discs are small circular shock-absorbers between the vertebrae, below the spinal cord. Each disc has a fibrous outer ring, and a jelly-like centre.  With age, the center of the disc may harden or even calcify, and the outer ring may tear. If the outer ring can no longer hold the inner contents of the disc in, then this material may herniate and press on the spinal cord. Herniation of the disc often occurs explosively (type I disc disease), causing significant injury to the spinal cord causing pain, altered gait or paralysis.  This can affect any part of the spinal cord, but more often affects the neck (cervical spine) or mid-lower back

(thoraco-lumbar region). Neurological examination will help determine the location, and a series of X-rays and a myelogram will be required to determine

the exact location of the problem. Other problems that may cause similar signs include trauma/ fracture, infection or neoplasia.

What tests can be done?

After a thorough examination, blood and urine tests will generally be done to determine the overall health of your pet, and suitability for anesthesia. The X-rays

and myelogram must be done under general anesthesia. 

What are my treatment options?

Non-surgical

In some cases of disc disease, non-surgical management may be used. This is generally limited to patients having their first episode of back pain, with no real trouble walking. Anti-inflammatory and pain therapy and strict cage rest may be used to try to reduce the swelling of the spinal cord associated with the slipped disc.

Surgical

Patients that have lost the ability to walk, urinate or defecate, or have recurrent pain are candidates for surgery. The aim is to remove the herniated disc material and relieve the compression on the spinal cord.  The most common surgeries are a ventral slot procedure or a hemilaminectomy, but there are a range of other procedures that may be done. Spinal surgery is demanding and is ideally performed by a specialist surgeon or neurologist. The spinal cord is approached through the skin and muscles, then a special drill is used to make a window in the boney vertebrae immediately above the slipped disc. The disc material can then gently be removed.

What is a myelogram?

Plain X-rays will provide overall information about the vertebrae, but the spinal cord itself cannot be seen. In order to outline the spinal cord, contrast agent is injected in to the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, then the X-rays are repeated (see figure above). This will help determine the lesion location, compression in the cord, and help determine if there are other factors causing the problem.  After discussing the results with you, your pet may or may not have spinal surgery on the same day as a myelogram. In some cases, a CT or MRI may be required for more information.

What will happen after the surgery?

Pets will generally spend 3-10 days in the hospital after spinal surgery. Recovery is highly variable. Animals are generally discharged from hospital once they are comfortable and urinating on their own.  In some cases, animals require nursing and physical therapy at home to assist their recovery. A small number of dogs who had disc disease may slip another disc at a later stage.  It is important at home to reduce or eliminate jumping and stair climbing, manage obesity, and use non-concussive exercise.   

Louisiana State University

School of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Teaching Hospital & Clinics

Companion Animal Surgery

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

Phone (225) 578-9600

Here is an excellent link to Back Disorders.  This compilation contains research and treatment info on Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Degenerative Myelopathy, Wobbler's, Spondylosis Deformans, and Canine Arthritis among other topics. 

 It is the most comprehensive collection of info I have seen: 

http://www.tealdachs.com/back.html

Rehabilitation intervention is a very important part of the healing process after surgery.  After rehab, a conditioning program can lead to better core fitness, possibly helping reduce the incidence of reoccurrence.  Weight control, specific strengthening exercises, and certain precautions around the home should all help your pet realize a better quality of life.  Your surgeon or primary care veterinarian can refer you to a rehabilitation practitioner to assist with all aspects of back and disc trauma.

Home health care is essential for a dog that is non-ambulatory after surgery, and just as in human physical therapy, a qualified animal rehabilitation specialist should be relied upon to encourage the healing process and help with return to function.  Owner education in the home environment is also a key factor at this time.

Animal rehab practitioners can help with interventions to encourage your dog to stand and walk again.  They should be able to design supportive device programs for those who are slower to heal or have significant nerve damage and cannot be expected to walk soon.  Supportive devices are highly recommended for animals that are not expected to regain function at all in their limbs.  Many activities and interventions may be realized at home.  Rehabilitation and conditioning programs may then progress to designs that seek to build core strength and supportive spinal muscle strength.