A dog's spine is made up of 30 vertebrae, with seven cervical vertebrae comprising a dog's neck. If a dog suffers an injury to this area, a vertebrae may fracture or tear apart, which can cause damage to the spinal cord and possibly paralysis. Unfortunately, such injuries usually result in euthanasia.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms of neck injuries may include signs of pain, wobbly movement, difficulty getting up, a change in posture or standing on the upper surface of its toes instead of the pads.
Causes
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While some dog breeds are prone to neck injuries, others can be caused by pulling or straining on a leash, vertebral disk disorders, an infectious disease, spinal trauma or cancer.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian can diagnosis neck injuries in dogs through a physical exam, which may include spinal radiographs, serology, a CT scan and blood tests.
Treatment
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Depending on the nature and severity of a dog's neck injury, treatments your veterinarian might suggest include hospitalization, medication and/or surgery.
Prevention
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To prevent neck injuries in dogs, use a harness instead of a collar, avoid pulling or jerking on the dog's leash and don't move a dog that has been injured.
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