walking “drunk”, unable to move, or paralysis of the hind legs. Website design By BotEap.comTo tell the difference between simple muscle soreness and a disc injury, check your pet’s “positioning response.” While holding him with one hand under his belly, flip one of his hind legs over so that the top of his leg touches the ground. Your foot should be quickly placed right side up when you release it. If you don’t, you could have nerve problems. Even if it passes the test, if the pain lasts more than a day or two, see your vet. Nerve problems do not always appear right away. Website design By BotEap.comYour veterinarian will run diagnostic tests to differentiate disc disease from other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. A neurological evaluation might include applying gentle pressure to the spine to localize the pain. You can check if only the hind legs are affected, or the front legs and head as well. A toe test of the hind legs indicates reflex responses and indicators of pain. You can also take an X-ray of your dog’s spine or get a myelogram or CT scan. Website design By BotEap.comTreatment will depend on the severity of the clinical findings. Dogs with milder injuries can be treated with cortisone injections, steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and rest. This helps to shrink the herniated disc and inflamed tissue and at the same time relieves the swelling that has occurred within the spinal cord. Pain medications may also be prescribed. Website design By BotEap.comSurgical treatment may be recommended if signs are severe and unresponsive to other management trials. Website design By BotEap.comWhether medical, surgical, or a combination of the two treatments are used, it may take several weeks before your dog fully recovers. Box care may be recommended for at least four weeks when undergoing treatment. Rest is essential to allow the disc material to “heal”. Returning to activity early can worsen your dog’s condition. Don’t let him run around the yard or take long walks. Website design By BotEap.comDon’t be fooled by what appears to be a quick return to normal behavior. Dogs treated with cortisone injections and steroid treatment may relieve their pain, but the injury is still present and caution should be used. Website design By BotEap.comDon’t let your dog jump up or down on objects like the groomer’s bed or table. Website design By BotEap.comWhen picking up your pet, never use the front legs. Instead, use both hands, supporting him from under his ribcage and back legs. Website design By BotEap.comWhen walking your dog, use a chest harness instead of attaching a leash directly to the collar. Any sudden or jerky movement of the head can cause pain and re-injury. Website design By BotEap.comUse a glucosamine and chrondoitin supplement to help speed recovery and strengthen damaged cartilage. Website design By BotEap.comHelp your pet keep his weight down. Test this by lightly running your hands over your rib cage. If you can count each rib, it’s a good weight. If all you feel is stuffiness, it’s time to try a sensible weight loss plan. Website design By BotEap.com90% of all disc problems can be successfully treated with conservative medical treatment. Don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet if he suspects that he has a back injury.
Oh my back pain!
Website design By BotEap.comJust like humans, our canine friends can suffer from back pain. It’s especially prevalent in small breeds like Dachshunds and Lhasa apsos, but larger breeds like German Shepherds and Great Danes can also suffer. Also, overweight dogs are more likely to have back problems than their leaner counterparts.
Website design By BotEap.comSome back injuries involve nothing more than sore muscles. However, for others, disc injury or degenerative disc disease may be the problem. This can cause extreme pain, loss of muscle control, nerve damage, and paralysis.
Website design By BotEap.comJust like a man’s, a dog’s spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae. They go from the base of the skull to the end of the tail. Flexible discs made of cartilage provide a cushion between each vertebra. Above the discs and passing through the vertebrae is the spinal cord made up of nerve fibers. A disc can weaken with age or trauma, causing part of the disc to slip out of place and put pressure on the spine.
Website design By BotEap.comA dog that has sustained a disc injury will exhibit symptoms such as: howling when touched, lethargy, shivering, whimpering, lack of appetite, inability to urinate, clumsiness, reluctance to climb steps,
walking “drunk”, unable to move, or paralysis of the hind legs. Website design By BotEap.comTo tell the difference between simple muscle soreness and a disc injury, check your pet’s “positioning response.” While holding him with one hand under his belly, flip one of his hind legs over so that the top of his leg touches the ground. Your foot should be quickly placed right side up when you release it. If you don’t, you could have nerve problems. Even if it passes the test, if the pain lasts more than a day or two, see your vet. Nerve problems do not always appear right away. Website design By BotEap.comYour veterinarian will run diagnostic tests to differentiate disc disease from other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. A neurological evaluation might include applying gentle pressure to the spine to localize the pain. You can check if only the hind legs are affected, or the front legs and head as well. A toe test of the hind legs indicates reflex responses and indicators of pain. You can also take an X-ray of your dog’s spine or get a myelogram or CT scan. Website design By BotEap.comTreatment will depend on the severity of the clinical findings. Dogs with milder injuries can be treated with cortisone injections, steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and rest. This helps to shrink the herniated disc and inflamed tissue and at the same time relieves the swelling that has occurred within the spinal cord. Pain medications may also be prescribed. Website design By BotEap.comSurgical treatment may be recommended if signs are severe and unresponsive to other management trials. Website design By BotEap.comWhether medical, surgical, or a combination of the two treatments are used, it may take several weeks before your dog fully recovers. Box care may be recommended for at least four weeks when undergoing treatment. Rest is essential to allow the disc material to “heal”. Returning to activity early can worsen your dog’s condition. Don’t let him run around the yard or take long walks. Website design By BotEap.comDon’t be fooled by what appears to be a quick return to normal behavior. Dogs treated with cortisone injections and steroid treatment may relieve their pain, but the injury is still present and caution should be used. Website design By BotEap.comDon’t let your dog jump up or down on objects like the groomer’s bed or table. Website design By BotEap.comWhen picking up your pet, never use the front legs. Instead, use both hands, supporting him from under his ribcage and back legs. Website design By BotEap.comWhen walking your dog, use a chest harness instead of attaching a leash directly to the collar. Any sudden or jerky movement of the head can cause pain and re-injury. Website design By BotEap.comUse a glucosamine and chrondoitin supplement to help speed recovery and strengthen damaged cartilage. Website design By BotEap.comHelp your pet keep his weight down. Test this by lightly running your hands over your rib cage. If you can count each rib, it’s a good weight. If all you feel is stuffiness, it’s time to try a sensible weight loss plan. Website design By BotEap.com90% of all disc problems can be successfully treated with conservative medical treatment. Don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet if he suspects that he has a back injury.
walking “drunk”, unable to move, or paralysis of the hind legs. Website design By BotEap.comTo tell the difference between simple muscle soreness and a disc injury, check your pet’s “positioning response.” While holding him with one hand under his belly, flip one of his hind legs over so that the top of his leg touches the ground. Your foot should be quickly placed right side up when you release it. If you don’t, you could have nerve problems. Even if it passes the test, if the pain lasts more than a day or two, see your vet. Nerve problems do not always appear right away. Website design By BotEap.comYour veterinarian will run diagnostic tests to differentiate disc disease from other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. A neurological evaluation might include applying gentle pressure to the spine to localize the pain. You can check if only the hind legs are affected, or the front legs and head as well. A toe test of the hind legs indicates reflex responses and indicators of pain. You can also take an X-ray of your dog’s spine or get a myelogram or CT scan. Website design By BotEap.comTreatment will depend on the severity of the clinical findings. Dogs with milder injuries can be treated with cortisone injections, steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and rest. This helps to shrink the herniated disc and inflamed tissue and at the same time relieves the swelling that has occurred within the spinal cord. Pain medications may also be prescribed. Website design By BotEap.comSurgical treatment may be recommended if signs are severe and unresponsive to other management trials. Website design By BotEap.comWhether medical, surgical, or a combination of the two treatments are used, it may take several weeks before your dog fully recovers. Box care may be recommended for at least four weeks when undergoing treatment. Rest is essential to allow the disc material to “heal”. Returning to activity early can worsen your dog’s condition. Don’t let him run around the yard or take long walks. Website design By BotEap.comDon’t be fooled by what appears to be a quick return to normal behavior. Dogs treated with cortisone injections and steroid treatment may relieve their pain, but the injury is still present and caution should be used. Website design By BotEap.comDon’t let your dog jump up or down on objects like the groomer’s bed or table. Website design By BotEap.comWhen picking up your pet, never use the front legs. Instead, use both hands, supporting him from under his ribcage and back legs. Website design By BotEap.comWhen walking your dog, use a chest harness instead of attaching a leash directly to the collar. Any sudden or jerky movement of the head can cause pain and re-injury. Website design By BotEap.comUse a glucosamine and chrondoitin supplement to help speed recovery and strengthen damaged cartilage. Website design By BotEap.comHelp your pet keep his weight down. Test this by lightly running your hands over your rib cage. If you can count each rib, it’s a good weight. If all you feel is stuffiness, it’s time to try a sensible weight loss plan. Website design By BotEap.com90% of all disc problems can be successfully treated with conservative medical treatment. Don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet if he suspects that he has a back injury.