One of the most complex pathologies that dogs can suffer from are herniated discs. However, on many occasions the prognosis is very positive and different treatments can be carried out depending on the type. Although it is more common in older dogs, the truth is that young people can also suffer from it, so it is essential to pay attention to the symptoms and go to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
In this article on our site we show you what are the symptoms of disc herniation in dogs, what treatments exist, how is the operation and what are the main cares to promote a speedy recovery.
What is a herniated disc in dogs?
The concept "hernia" is synonymous with a structure that comes out of its natural anatomical position, therefore, when we speak of herniated discs we refer to pathologies that affect theintervertebral discs of the spine, which cause compression of the spinal cord when they protrude from the spinal canal or bulge By Therefore, this condition is also known as prolapsed disc.
In general, in medium, large or giant dogs, disc herniation is more common during adulthood or old age, that is, from 7-8 years of age. On the other hand, in small or toy dogs, disc herniation can occur at earlier ages, usually from 2 years of age.
Where do herniated discs appear in dogs?
The herniated disc in dogs can appear at any point of the spine, but it most commonly occurs in the following:
- Cervical disc herniation: it is located in the cervical area, that is, the neck.
- Lumbar disc herniation: as its name suggests, it occurs in the lower back of the dog.
- Thoracic disc herniation: occurs in the rib area.
It is also possible that the dog has a thoracolumbar hernia and even develops several herniated discs at different points in the spine. This is especially common in older dogs.
Causes of disc herniation in dogs
The main cause of a herniated disc in a dog is disc degeneration. This disc degeneration can occur in two ways:
- Cartilaginous degeneration: occurs when the nucleus of the intervertebral disc becomes a tissue similar to cartilaginous, more solid and, therefore, In some cases, it even becomes calcified. This is so because part of the aqueous content found in this core is lost. This disc degeneration is typical of small breeds with elongated spines and usually begins during the first months of life, which is why they tend to present symptoms much earlier than larger breeds.
- Fibrous degeneration: In this case, the tissue in the nucleus of the disc changes into more fibrous tissue. This degeneration can appear in other dog breeds and usually occurs during adulthood or old age.
Types of disc herniation in dogs
When we talk about herniated discs in dogs we can differentiate three different types:
- Type I: mainly affects chondrodystrophic breeds (small, long spine and short legs), such as the Poodle, Pekingese or the cocker, being more common to appear between 2 and 6 years of age. It can be caused by sudden movements in the spine and appears acutely or as a progressive evolution of various small traumas.
- Type II: affects large non-chondrodystrophic breeds, such as the Boxer, Labrador or German Shepherd, appearing between 5 and 12 years old. The evolution is slow and therefore the manifestation is also later. This herniated disc causes slow and progressive compression of the spinal cord.
- Type III: in this last case the material of the intervertebral disc comes out of the spinal canal, causing an acute and severe hernia that in numerous Sometimes it ends up causing the death of the animal.
Especially in types where surgery is not possible, care for dogs with herniated discs becomes a key part of treatment in order to improve mobility, reduce pain and increase quality of life. life. In the following sections we will see in detail how to help a dog with a herniated disc through orthoses and other treatments.
Symptoms of disc herniation in dogs
When the dog suffers from immobility or difficulty moving its hind legs, it is frequently showing a herniated disc, usually in the area thoracic or lumbar, which can be noticed through the following symptoms:
- Pain.
- Lack of coordination in movements.
- Altered muscle tone.
- Decrease in strength.
- Stop walking or shuffles hind legs.
- Difficulty maintaining balance.
- Loss of sensitivity in the affected area and extremities.
- Problems meeting your needs.
- Adopt analgic postures.
- Arch your back and keep your head down.
In addition to noticing the dog arching its back, dragging its hind legs, or any of the above signs, it is likely that screams in painif we touch the affected area or perform certain movements that further compress the spinal cord.
When the dog has a cervical disc herniation, the first thing we notice is that the animal screams in pain when moving. Often, we can observe these symptoms:
- Stiff Neck.
- Lameness of one front leg.
- Lack of mobility.
- Abnormal postures to avoid pain.
If we detect any of these symptoms in our dog, we must urgently go to the vet to verify what pathological disorder it is, since it is possible that it is not a herniated disc.
Differential diagnosis of disc herniation in dogs
The veterinarian must diagnose the type of herniated disc, for which he will perform an initial examination and use different tests, since an X-ray is not enough, so it is You can choose to perform a myelography, which is a technique that allows you to see the state of the bone marrow through contrast. CT or MRI can also be used.
Through these tests, in addition to identifying the type of disc herniation in the dog, you can observe to what degree of deterioration the find the affected intervertebral disc. The following degrees of deterioration are distinguished:
- Grade I: Neurological damage has not yet occurred, so the dog experiences pain and slight irritation, but without losing the mobility of the legs.
- Grade II: the hernia begins to compress the spinal cord and, therefore, the first neurological lesions appear. At this point, the dog will continue to walk but with difficulty, showing a loss of balance or position.
- Grade III: the neurological damage begins to acquire a more serious character due to the high compression of the spinal cord. The dog will present a slight paralysis, known as paresis, of one or both of the hind legs that will not allow it to walk properly. This is when you can see that the dog drags its hind legs due to the blockade that compression produces.
- Grade IV: the paralysis worsens and the dog begins to show signs of urinary retention.
- Grade V: This is the most serious degree of all because in addition to the above symptoms (paralysis and urinary retention), the dog experiences severe loss of sensation in affected limbs.
Herniated disc operation in dogs
The operation for disc herniation in dogs is the priority treatment for cases of grade III, IV and V This operation consists of remove the herniated disc material in order to decompress the spinal cord so that the nerve tissue can recover. Normally, it is a successful operation that offers a positive prognosis, recovering more than 90% of cases as long as they are intervened within 24 hours of the first symptoms. However, this does not imply that the dog cannot suffer a herniated disc again in the future.
It is important to highlight the importance of acting quickly when the dog suffers from an advanced disc herniation, that is, grade V, because if the deterioration is not treated as soon as possible, the dog can die. Once the but has been operated on, postoperative care should focus on preventing decubitus ulcers, urinary tract infections and muscle atrophies.
How to cure a herniated disc in dogs - Conservative treatment
As we mentioned earlier, surgery is the first-line treatment for grades III, IV, and V. For grades I and IIThere is conservative treatment, which relieves the symptoms but does not cure the herniated disc. The only way to end a herniated disc in the dog is through surgery. That said, let's see what the conservative treatments consist of for disc herniation in dogs:
Absolute rest of the dog with herniated disc
The first treatment consists of the absolute rest of the patient To ensure adequate recovery, the dog should be left to rest for a month in a controlled space. In this way, the desinflammation of the tissues is facilitated, the position of the structures of the spine can be corrected and as a consequence the pain decreases and a positive evolution is favored. However, depending on the level of activity of the affected dog, its size and character, you may not be able to opt for this method and you should be the one to ensure that the dog strictly rests as it needs, giving it all your attention. that requires and care.
In this phase we can use a dog lumbar support or a thermal coat, which will help limit the movement of the spine, to increase the temperature in the injured area, reduce pain if you have it and speed up the healing process.
Drugs for herniated disc in dogs
You can also offer painkillers and anti-inflammatories, although these drugs they present the risk of allowing greater movement, which could worsen the disc herniation as a result of an aggravated inflammatory state due to the fact that the animal has been able to recover a large part of its movement, but continues to suffer from a spinal disorder. Therefore, they must always be provided following the instructions of the veterinarian and never give the animal any type of medication on its own.
In any case, we should go to the vet as soon as possible, since a herniated disc is a painful pathology that must be treated to guarantee a better quality of life for the animal.
Recovery of herniated disc in dogs and special care
The canine disc herniation recovery process may require various strategies, such as the use of a treadmill, heat through an infrared lamp, a support lumbar, a thermal coat or electrostimulation Many of these These techniques seek to reduce pain, allow the dog to fully recover its sensitivity and make it easier for the dog to return to a normal gait, using the minimum weight load in the recovery.
The physiotherapy for herniated disc in dogs is also indicated to complement the pharmacological treatment stipulated by the veterinarian, since it facilitates the recovery of Mobility. In addition, it is recommended to acquire different products to help the dog walk better, the following being the most suitable:
- Wheelchair. It is especially indicated in those cases of severe disc herniation in dogs that, for whatever reason, surgery cannot be performed.
- Thermal coat. Recommended to facilitate recovery from any type and degree of disc herniation, this coat improves both the condition of the joints and the muscles.
- Lumbar Support. It slightly limits spinal movement and increases the temperature of the area.
- Support Harness. This harness is attached to the groin area, in such a way that it improves the dog's walking and favors walks.
- Help Band. It was also thought to help the dog to walk, the band supports the abdominal area and distributes the effort in a totally even way.
Ortocanis, a shop specializing in the manufacture of supports, prostheses and harnesses designed to help dogs with reduced mobility, has all these products and more. In addition to offering quality products, they advise you and deliver to your home with all the guarantees.
Natural remedies for herniated disc in dogs
The truth is that there are no natural remedies to cure a herniated disc in dogs, since, as we have mentioned, only surgery can solve this problem. Natural treatments only act as a complement to the conservative treatment stipulated by the veterinarian. Thus, the "home" treatments that we can do to improve the condition of the dog with a herniated disc are:
- Swimming: in many cases, the specialist himself will recommend that we try to get the dog to practice swimming. Unfortunately, in few homes it is possible to carry out this treatment, so it will be necessary to visit a specialized center.
- Proper nutrition: in order to avoid being overweight and offer, at the same time, ingredients that promote bone and joint he alth of the dog, it is important to adapt its diet to the current situation. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are especially recommended, which is why it is also common for the specialist to even advise us to offer supplements. In this article you will find Foods rich in omega 3 for dogs.
- Heat in the area: if we do not have access to physiotherapy and electrostimulation sessions, we can apply heat to the area to relieve pain. Likewise, it is very important to prevent the dog with a herniated disc from being cold in winter because with lower temperatures it is common for the symptoms to worsen.
Again, we insist on the importance of visiting the veterinary clinic to start the best treatment.
