Signs & Symptoms of a Spinal Disease in a Dog

Spinal diseases, such as degenerative myelopathy and intervertebral disc disease, begin to crop up especially in middle-aged and older dogs. Diagnosis of the exact spinal disease can sometimes be difficult to get, but there are some signs that will let you know your dog has a problem in his spine and you should get these checked out as soon as possible for your veterinarian to be the most help to your dog.

  1. Muscle Atrophy

    • If your dog begins to lose muscle tone, especially at an increased rate, he may have a spinal disease. Your dog may also have trouble holding a position, such as sitting or standing, and may need to shift around often to stay comfortable.

    Paralysis

    • If your dog has paralysis, he may not be able to move at all or he may have paralysis in only one body part. He also may be unable to walk, or have difficulty walking and start limping or moving awkwardly.

    Reluctance to Move

    • Dogs with back problems may suddenly stop wanting to play with you, your family and your other pets, and start refusing to walk up and down stairs. Also, if he is willing to move around, his movements may seem clumsy or drunken.

    Back Pain

    • Your dog may show signs of back pain, such as tense muscles and not wanting you to touch his back. When you do touch him, he may yelp or flinch away from you.

    Excessive Elimination

    • Your dog may lose control of his bladder and bowels and start urinating and defecating when before he could hold it. Alternatively, the dog could lose the ability to empty his bladder and start leaking urine almost constantly.