Dog Injury to the Spine
Spinal injuries in dogs vary from mild to severe. While some dogs recover fully, others are left with pain and various levels of immobility. In serious cases, owners may elect the use of specially-manufactured dog carts (similar to wheelchairs for dogs) or euthanasia. Suspected spinal injuries requires owners to immobilize their dogs as much as possible and seek veterinary attention immediately.
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Causes and Types
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Injury to the spine in dogs usually results from sudden impact, most often by the dog being hit by a vehicle, being shot or falling from a height. Four primary injuries occur to the spine: laceration of the spinal cord, compression of the spine by a ruptured disk or blood clot, concussion of the spine associated with vertebral fracture or disk herniation and lack of blood flow associated with blood clots or emboli (undissolved material carried by blood). These occur independently or at the same time.
Signs and Diagnosis
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Spinal injuries have a progression of signs from mild to total paralysis, according to Pet Alert. Dogs may exhibit pain, may have signs of weakness in their hindquarters, may stand on tips of their toes, may be unable to stand and may be unable to feel or move their limbs. Veterinary diagnosis usually begins with X-rays of the spinal column and may also include a myelogram, where injected dye in the spinal canal is X-rayed. A computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also determine the severity of injury.
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Treatment
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Dogs with suspected spinal cord trauma are immediately immobilized, taped to a board while lying on their sides. Medications aren't administered until after diagnosis, since these can impede injury evaluation. The goal of treatment is to alleviate swelling and compression, control hemorrhage and stabilize the vertebral column. Treatment is medical, surgical or a combination of both. Medical therapy often involves corticosteroids within eight hours of injury. Surgical therapy is elected for dogs with unstable fractures or worsening neurologic signs.
Home Care
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Following treatment, animals must be strictly confined from activity, according to TheVeterinarian.com. Owners should restrict their recovering dogs' activities, discouraging jumping, running and excessive play. Dogs may take several weeks or months to recover and owners may have to provide lifelong special care due to lingering permanent neurologic deficits. Physical therapy, hydrotherapy (physical therapy in water), massage and acupuncture may help. Practitioners often visit dogs' homes. Not allowing dogs to roam prevents many spinal injuries as well as worsening or recurrence of spinal injuries.
Expert Insight
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David Simpson, a fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and a registered small animal surgery specialist, says, "For cases where recovery is not expected, the option of management of a patient as a permanent paraplegic can be an acceptable outcome for some owners who have the right level of commitment and the right kind of lifestyle to care for such animals." Paraplegic dog carts give dogs mobility however, owners are often faced with bladder care (squeezing their dogs to facilitate urination) and ongoing fecal incontinence.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com
