Canine Lumbosacral Disease

Canine lumbosacral disease, also called lumbosacral stenosis and cauda equina syndrome, is a sort of arthritis that compresses the nerve roots and spinal cord as they pass through the joint between the dog's last lumbar vertebra and sacrum. In severe cases, it can cause debilitating pain, mobility problems and incontinence. Large breeds are disproportionately affected.

  1. Causes

    • Canine lumbosacral disease can be present at birth, although symptoms usually develop when the dog is between 3 and 7 years old. It can also be caused by spinal fracture or dislocation--usually as a result of being hit by a car--infection, degenerative disc rupture, and the growth of a tumor.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms include progressive sharp lower back pain, hind leg weakness, difficulty urinating or defecating, a shuffling gait, and vocal expressions of pain ranging from whimpers to cries and howls. A dog suffering from this disease may be reluctant to rise and jump. In an attempt to alleviate the pain, the dog sometimes chews at his tail or back legs.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis is made by medical history and physical exam, including manipulation and palpation of the spine, flexing the tail, and pushing on the dog's spine while extending the hips. Other tests include neurological exam, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and blood tests. Electromyography, or EMG, performed under anesthesia, is a particularly valuable diagnostic tool because it can measure electrical activity of the nerves and muscles, and help to rule out other conditions, such as hip dysplasia, that mimic lumbosacral disease.

    Treatment

    • Mild cases are treated with rest and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics are used to treat bone infection, and surgery is performed in the case of fractures and to remove tumors or compressive disc material; sometimes, bone is removed to relieve the compression.

    Prognosis

    • Prognosis varies according to the severity of the symptoms; in mild cases, some dogs return to normal function. If the disease has progressed to the point that the dog is incontinent, the outlook is not as good; the dog may never regain normal function, but with proper treatment can live pain-free.

    Prevention

    • Owners can help their dogs prevent lumbosacral disease by not allowing them to become obese. Obedience training, supervision, and the use of a leash when necessary can reduce the risk of dogs being hit by cars.