Canine Spondylosis 

Joint issues such as spondylosis in dogs can be very painful. Unfortunately, they are not at all rare. That’s precisely why, as a dog owner, you should be able to recognise the signs early to help your furry friend as quickly as possible.

How dangerous is spondylosis in dogs?

Spondylosis deformans, simply known as spondylosis, is a chronic degenerative joint disease. In dogs, it refers to a change in the spine that results from wear and tear.

Normally, spondylosis in dogs is not life-threatening. However, as the disease progresses, there’s a risk of disc herniation, so it should be taken seriously in every case.

Symptoms: Is spondylosis painful for dogs?

Spondylosis is often discovered as an incidental finding during X-rays for other illnesses. This means that the bony changes often remain hidden for a lifetime.

However, if they press on nerves or intervertebral discs, this can cause not only nerve disruptions like incontinence, but also severe pain. Affected dogs sometimes cry out so loudly that the sound cuts to the heart of their sympathetic owners.

Another typical symptom of this spinal condition is a sudden lameness, which limits your dog’s freedom of movement. Although this often fades after a few seconds or minutes, it does not disappear for long. Without treatment, the next flare-up will bring all the symptoms back.

When should I visit the vet?

Signs of pain in your dog are always a good reason to visit a vet. Because regardless of the cause of the pain, your pet needs help.

There are also other alarm signals that justify a visit to the vet’s office or clinic, such as paralysis or sudden behavioural changes like aggressiveness.

Diagnosis: How does the vet recognise spondylosis in dogs?

The vet can usually quickly identify spondylosis in dogs. They begin by examining your dog from nose to paws. While searching for the cause of symptoms, the vet carefully palpates the back and other parts of the body.

For a closer look at the spine, your vet will need an X-ray machine. The bony overgrowths on the vertebrae can typically be clearly seen in the X-rays and other causes can be ruled out. The images also help to estimate the number and extent of the spondylosis.

Therapy: How is spondylosis in dogs treated?

In theory, the vet could remove the bony outgrowths surgically. However, given the progressive nature of this disease, this is not a long-term solution. Therefore, treatment usually involves purely supportive measures.

Though these don’t combat the cause, they help to ease your dog’s pain and enable it to lead a mostly normal doggy life.

The possible measures your vet might prescribe include:

• pain management with painkillers
• physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles
• a balanced diet
• targeted physical training and avoiding overexertion

© Henk Vrieselaar / stock.adobe.com

Cause: How does spondylosis develop in dogs?

Over time, the elastic elements of a dog’s spine, such as ligaments and intervertebral discs, lose their flexibility. Bony projections (enthesophytes) form on the underside of the vertebral bodies, severely restricting movement in the vertebral joints. Special forms of spondylosis in dogs include:

• If the bony overgrowths form a so-called bone bridge (also known as ankylosis), this could compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves. If this occurs in the last lumbar vertebrae or sacrum, it’s called Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).
• If the small vertebral joints above the nerve root are involved, it’s called Spondylarthrosis.

Older dogs are especially affected

As the disease typically arises from joint wear (arthritis)) and progresses with age, older dogs are more frequently affected than younger animals. However, due to congenital bone malformations, young dogs can also suffer from spondylosis in exceptional cases.

Factors such as obesity and subsequent joint overload also contribute to the development of spondylosis in dogs.

Prognosis: Can spondylosis be cured?

As a chronic progressive disease, spondylosis in dogs is not curable. That’s why it’s even more essential to follow your vet’s instructions precisely.

By working with health experts for your dog, you can ensure it remains pain-free and enjoys a high quality of life despite spinal changes.

Prevention: Can spondylosis in dogs be prevented?

Spondylosis is a long-term process. As such, owners often cannot entirely prevent it.

However, you can reduce the impact of some contributing factors. These three tips can help:

• Proper Bedding: Orthopaedic dog beds apply even pressure to the spine. Such a bed can help alleviate your canine’s pain and improve life quality for affected or older dogs.
• Enough Exercise: Ensure that your dog gets sufficient exercise. In addition to regular walks, try some dog sports. Caution: If your dog is already predisposed to joint issues, avoid activities that require a lot of jumping. In such cases, lunge walking is a better option than Agility.
• Avoid Overexertion: Exercise is crucial for preventing health-harming obesity in dogs. However, don’t overdo it, as overloading the joints can lead to further wear

This article from zooplus Magazine is purely informative. If your pet is experiencing discomfort, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

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