Wise Young
07-11-2003, 04:42 PM
http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=32197&SecID=2
Spinal injuries can slow dogs down
7/10/2003 5:55 AM
By: Dr. Tom Watson
Dumpling is a 4-year-old dachshund who was diagnosed with a hernicated disc.
Most commonly caused by body type, some dogs may experience spinal problems that hinder their ability to be active.
Dumpling, a 4-year-old dachshund, had a sudden onset of paralysis in her rear legs about three years ago. Basically, she lost the ability to know where her back feet were.
Through clinical symptoms and X-rays, she was diagnosed with a spinal problem where a disc had herniated and was putting pressure on the spine.
This problem is very common in dogs such as dachshunds and basset hounds because there is such a long distance between their front legs and rear legs. This causes the spine to carry a lot of the weight and a lot of the pressure.
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Spinal injuries can slow dogs down
Most commonly caused by body type, some dogs may experience spinal problems that hinder their ability to be active.
The pressure leads to a herniation of the disc compressing up on the spinal cord, which causes a loss of sensation in the back legs, pain and paralysis in severe cases.
The treatment for spinal injuries can be two-fold. Approximately 80 percent of patients will respond to medical therapy, which includes strict confinement, steroids at anti-inflammatory doses as well as muscle relaxers. The other 20 percent will need surgery to relieve the compression on the spinal cord.
Any pet showing signs of spinal disease, such as refusal to jump on and off of furniture or a lack of raring up like they used to, call a veterinarian and have them checked out.
Spinal injuries can slow dogs down
7/10/2003 5:55 AM
By: Dr. Tom Watson
Dumpling is a 4-year-old dachshund who was diagnosed with a hernicated disc.
Most commonly caused by body type, some dogs may experience spinal problems that hinder their ability to be active.
Dumpling, a 4-year-old dachshund, had a sudden onset of paralysis in her rear legs about three years ago. Basically, she lost the ability to know where her back feet were.
Through clinical symptoms and X-rays, she was diagnosed with a spinal problem where a disc had herniated and was putting pressure on the spine.
This problem is very common in dogs such as dachshunds and basset hounds because there is such a long distance between their front legs and rear legs. This causes the spine to carry a lot of the weight and a lot of the pressure.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Spinal injuries can slow dogs down
Most commonly caused by body type, some dogs may experience spinal problems that hinder their ability to be active.
The pressure leads to a herniation of the disc compressing up on the spinal cord, which causes a loss of sensation in the back legs, pain and paralysis in severe cases.
The treatment for spinal injuries can be two-fold. Approximately 80 percent of patients will respond to medical therapy, which includes strict confinement, steroids at anti-inflammatory doses as well as muscle relaxers. The other 20 percent will need surgery to relieve the compression on the spinal cord.
Any pet showing signs of spinal disease, such as refusal to jump on and off of furniture or a lack of raring up like they used to, call a veterinarian and have them checked out.