Degenerative diseases of the spinal cord and joints can cause wide-ranging symptoms in dogs. While most of these disorders are the result of congenital defects, injury or age, some are of unknown origin. Most can be treated medically or surgically to reduce pain and improve mobility. If your dog is showing signs of pain, weakness, loss of coordination or poor reflexes, your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests to determine the cause.
-
Degenerative Joint Disease
-
When the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in joints begins to deteriorate, bone is exposed. Smooth, protective cartilage has no nerves, allowing joints to move without pain. Bones do have nerves and when bone touches bone, pain and inflammation develop.
Degenerative joint disease causes osteophytes to form on the bones. These are small, bony growths that develop near the joint and cause even more pain. Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a form of progressive arthritis.
Dogs with prior joint injury and congenital conditions like dysplasia or patella luxation are more susceptible to DJD.
Prescription NSAIDs will help relieve pain. Some cases of DJD can be treated surgically.
Degenerative Myelopathy
-
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause. It is most common in German shepherds, but may affect Belgian shepherds, Old English sheep dogs, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Weimaraners and Great Pyrenees as well. It is similar to multiple sclerosis in humans.
In dogs suffering from DM, the long nerve fibers that carry signals from nerves to muscles are attacked. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 5 and 14 years. The most common sign is progressive weakness in the hips and hindquarters. The weakness can be intermittent or continuous. The muscles of the lower back and hind legs will atrophy.
There is no cure for DM, but a healthy diet, regular exercise and supportive care can improve the dog's quality of life.
Intervertebral Disk Disease
-
More common in long-spined dogs like dachshunds, intervertebral disk disease's symptoms can range from discomfort to paralysis. This condition affects the intervertebral disks that cushion and protect the spine. These intervertebral cushions can bulge or rupture, creating compression that causes mild to severe pain.
This condition can be treated surgically.
Degeneration of Motor Neurons
-
This condition is uncommon in dogs, but when present it seems to run in family lines. It has been identified in Brittany spaniels, Rottweilers and Bouvier des Flandres.
Also called hereditary canine spinal muscular atrophy (HCSMA), this disease affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain stem. Signs of HCSMA develop in the first year. Limb weakness will quickly progress to overall body weakness. Walking, swallowing and respiratory difficulties follow.
Most dogs afflicted with HCSMA do not live beyond 2 to 3 years.
Spondylosis Deformans
-
A chronic condition more likely to affect large-breed, female dogs, spondylosis deformans is a degenerative disease of the spine. Bone spurs develop along the vertebral margins, causing back pain and muscle weakness.
Spondylosis deformans symptoms appear in midlife and are treated with NSAIDs and, in some cases, surgery.
Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis
-
Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis is also known as cauda equina syndrome. It is more common in large-breed, older dogs. Nerve roots (cauda equina) located in the lower back can become trapped due to arthritis or a disc rupture. Symptoms include sharp pain in the back, intermittent rear leg lameness and increasing difficulty standing.
As the condition progresses, the dog may chew the tail or rear feet and lose bladder or bowel control.
Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis can be treated surgically.
-