Content
- Types of Canine Disc Hernias
- Herniated Disc Symptoms in Dogs
- Canine herniated disc operation
- Treatment of canine disc herniation
- Rehabilitation and Special Care
- Take care of your dog's health with respect
O care of our pet it involves completely meeting all your needs, which may be physical, psychological or social. In this way, we can offer a real quality of life to our best friend.
One of the most complex pathologies that can affect dogs are herniated discs. The concept "hernia" is synonymous with a structure that leaves its natural anatomical position. Thus, when we talk about herniated discs, we are referring to pathologies that affect the spinal intervertebral discs, causing compression in the spinal cord when they leave the vertebral canal or enlarge.
Despite being a complex pathology, the prognosis is very positive in many cases. In this article, we show what the Herniated Disc Symptoms and Remedies in Dogs.
Types of Canine Disc Hernias
When we talk about herniated discs in dogs, it is possible to differentiate three different types:
- Type I: It mainly affects chondrodystrophic breeds (small, long spine and short legs), such as the poodle, the Pekinese, the cocker, and it usually appears between 2 and 6 years of age. can be caused by sudden movements in the spine and appears acutely or as a progressive evolution of several minor traumas.
- Type II: Affects large non-chondrodystrophic breeds, such as boxer, labrador and German shepherd, appearing between 5 and 12 years of age. Evolution is slow and, therefore, manifestation is also later. This hernia causes a slow and progressive compression of the spinal cord.
- Type III: In the latter case, the material from the intervertebral disc leaves the spinal canal, causing a severe and severe hernia that, in many cases, ends up causing the animal's death.
The veterinarian should diagnose the type of disc hernia through several tests, as an x-ray is not enough. He can choose to perform a myelogram, a technique that allows you to see the state of the spinal cord through a contrast. You can also use a CT scan or MRI.
Through these tests, he will be able to observe the state of deterioration of the affected invertebral disc, in addition to identifying the type of disc herniation. The different types of deterioration are distinguished as follows:
- Grade I: There is still no neurological damage, so the dog feels pain and slight irritation, without losing mobility in the legs.
- Grade II: The hernia begins to compress the spinal cord and, therefore, the first neurological damage appears. At this stage, the dog walks but with difficulties, revealing a loss of balance and posture.
- Grade III: Neurological injuries begin to take on a more severe character as a consequence of increased spinal cord compression. The dog has a mild paralysis (called paresis) in one or both hind legs, which makes it unable to walk properly.
- Grade IV: The paralysis worsens and the dog begins to show signs of urinary retention.
- Grade V: It is the most severe grade. Paralysis and urinary retention are accompanied by a loss of sensation in the affected limbs.
Herniated Disc Symptoms in Dogs
When the dog comes to rest from immobility or difficulty in moving its hind legs, it is possible that it is manifesting a herniated disc. You can confirm the problem with the following symptoms:
- Ache
- lack of motor coordination
- Change in muscle tone
- Decrease in strength
- The dog stops walking or drags
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Loss of sensation in the affected area and extremities
- Problems to make necessities
- Adopt pain-free postures
- Arch your back and bow your head
If you detect any of these symptoms in your pet, you should contact the veterinarian urgently so that he can check what the pathological disorder is.
Canine herniated disc operation
Herniated disc surgery in dogs is the treatment of choice for grade III, IV and V cases. a good prognosis. It consists of extracting the herniated disc material in order to decompress the spinal cord. If the dog suffers from an advanced herniated disc, which has reached Grade V deterioration, it is essential to act quickly and operate the animal as quickly as possible.
Postoperative care should be focused on preventing decubitus ulcers, urinary infections and muscle atrophies.
Treatment of canine disc herniation
As mentioned earlier, surgery is the first-line treatment for grades III, IV, and V. For grades I and II, there are two options that can help treat your dog's herniated disc, known clinically as conservation treatments. :
- The first treatment consists of patient's bed rest. To ensure proper recovery, the dog should rest in a cage for a month. In this way, the dog is subjected to immobility conditions, facilitating tissue deinflammation and correcting the positioning of the spinal structures. As a result, pain will be lessened and positive recovery is provided. However, depending on the activity level of the affected dog, its size and personality, the tutor may not be able to choose this method. You should be the one who ensures that the dog rests as needed, paying all the attention and care he needs. Although the use of the cage may seem like an extreme measure, in some cases it is the only one that shows results. In any case, you should always consult a veterinarian before making any decision so that he will indicate you and explain the best method to follow.
- Can also manage analgesics and anti-inflammatory, although these medications carry the risk of allowing more movement, which worsens the herniated disc. The inflammatory condition is aggravated as the animal is able to recover much of its movement, but continues to suffer from a spinal disorder. Therefore, you must follow the instructions of the veterinarian and never administer any type of medication to the animal on your own.
If, within a week, you do not see any improvement or the dog gets worse, he should be operated on as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation and Special Care
Rehabilitation of canine disc herniation may require several strategies, such as the use of a running leash, heat from an infrared lamp, or stimulation. Many of these techniques seek to reduce pain, allow the dog to fully recover its sensitivity and facilitate the dog to return to a normal walk, using the least amount of weight in its recovery.
It is very important that the tutor commits to follow the veterinarian's directions, both in terms of rehabilitation techniques and drug treatment.
In any case, it should be the veterinarian to indicate how the tutor should act at home after the operation, as well as the precautions that should be taken so that the dog has a quick recovery.
Take care of your dog's health with respect
When talking about herniated disc in dogs, as well as several pathologies, it is important to mention that some alternative and complementary therapies can be very useful to facilitate a good recovery. It is the case of acupuncture for dogs and from homeopathy. If you want to better understand how homeopathy treatments work, we recommend that you read how homeopathic products for dogs work.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.