Where in the back can a dog have a slipped disc?
Slipped discs can occur in different parts of the spine. Each slipped disc can therefore cause different symptoms in your dog. We distinguish between:
Slipped disc in the neck
Here, the slipped disc is located between your dog’s cervical vertebrae. The spinal canal is wider in this area, so there is often less pressure on the nerves and your dog is therefore less likely to experience loss of function. Your dog may show the following symptoms:
- a stiff neck,
- difficulty moving the head,
- pain when touched,
- sometimes weakness or loss of function in the front legs.
Treatment usually consists of rest and medication. Surgery is rarely necessary.
Slipped disc in the middle of the back
This type of slipped disc often causes the most serious symptoms in a dog. You may notice the following symptoms:
- severe back pain,
- difficulty walking,
- dragging the paws,
- paralysis of the hindquarters.
Treatment is often surgical because of the severity of the symptoms.
Slipped disc in the lower back (lumbosacral slipped disc)
This slipped disc is usually located at the junction between L7 and S1, the final lumbar vertebra and the sacrum. The spinal cord is no longer present here, but there are individual nerves known as the cauda equina.
If a tilted sacrum, thickened ligaments or displaced vertebrae are present in addition to a slipped disc, this may involve:
- Lumbosacral stenosis
- Lumbosacral instability
- Cauda equina syndrome
This type of slipped disc mainly affects large breeds such as the German Shepherd.
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, but often begins with medication, rest and controlled exercise. Surgery may be necessary if the symptoms persist.
What causes a slipped disc?
A slipped disc in dogs can have various causes:
- Hereditary predisposition: we see this in short-legged breeds such as the Dachshund and Basset Hound, for example.
- Wear and tear: this is the main cause in older dogs and dogs that have worked a great deal.
- Trauma: a slipped disc can also be caused by trauma.
- A combination of hereditary predisposition, wear and tear, and trauma.
How is a slipped disc diagnosed in dogs?
Diagnosis begins with a physical examination and possibly an X-ray, which may show narrowing between two vertebrae. However, additional imaging is needed to determine the type of slipped disc and how much pressure it is placing on the spinal cord, such as:
- MRI scan: this is the best method for assessing soft tissues such as the intervertebral disc and spinal cord.
- CT scan: this is particularly useful for changes to the bones.
- Myelography: this is a contrast examination of the spinal cord and is used less frequently nowadays.
How is a slipped disc in dogs treated?
Treatment depends entirely on the severity of the symptoms.
For mild symptoms, rest combined with painkillers (NSAIDs) is therefore often tried first. Rest means 4 to 6 weeks of crate rest. This also applies if the dog starts to feel better. This is essential to allow the back to recover. After this period, the dog often needs a check-up and reassessment.
For pain and mild loss of function, rest is often combined with corticosteroids. These also relieve pain and can help reduce swelling and pressure around the spinal cord.
If the dog shows signs of paralysis, surgery is really the only treatment option. In this case, it is important that the dog can still perceive pain, as the prognosis is otherwise poor. Rehabilitation begins after surgery, during which physiotherapy can support the recovery of the muscles and mobility.
What are the complications of slipped disc surgery and what is the prognosis?
Complications of a slipped disc, including after surgery, are:
- a new slipped disc,
- permanent nerve damage and therefore signs of paralysis.
The prognosis is usually good if the correct treatment is chosen quickly, particularly for mild symptoms. If the dog is genuinely paralysed, the prognosis is less favourable. If deep pain perception is absent, the prognosis is very guarded.
Is gabapentin a good medication for a slipped disc?
Gabapentin is a medication that is often used for nerve pain, such as the pain that occurs with a slipped disc. It reduces pain signals transmitted through the damaged nerves. Gabapentin is often given alongside other painkillers, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids. It is not an anti-inflammatory medication but is specifically intended to reduce nerve pain.
How much does slipped disc treatment cost?
The cost of treating a slipped disc can vary considerably. Depending on the severity and the approach selected, you should expect the following:
- Consultation + X-ray: from £125 to £250
- MRI/CT scan: £669 to £1,254
- Surgery: £1,254 to £2,927
- Aftercare + medication: a few hundred pounds
A complete course of treatment including diagnostics, surgery and aftercare can therefore cost between £2,509 and £4,182.
What if your dog remains paralysed? Wheelchair or lifting aid
Unfortunately, some dogs do not recover completely. If a dog remains paralysed but can urinate and defecate independently, a dog wheelchair or lifting aid may offer a solution. These aids support the hindquarters and allow the dog to remain mobile.
Condition for this option: the dog must be mentally alert, free from pain and still have quality of life.
When should a dog with a slipped disc be put to sleep?
This will vary between each dog and owner. Euthanasia should certainly be considered if:
- the dog is irreversibly paralysed and
- cannot urinate or defecate independently
- there is persistent pain despite treatment
- the dog no longer has any quality of life
This is a difficult but sometimes necessary decision to make in consultation with your vet.
Another type of hernia in dogs: perineal hernia
In addition to slipped discs, dogs can also suffer from a perineal hernia. This is a tear in the muscle and connective tissue around the anus, causing the rectum, and sometimes the bladder or prostate, to bulge beneath the skin. This creates a lump next to the anus.
You may notice the following symptoms in your dog:
- difficulty defecating,
- a swelling next to the anus,
- constipation or straining to pass faeces without success.
This hernia usually affects older, entire male dogs. Treatment is almost always surgical. (Chemical) neutering is also often chosen because an enlarged prostate contributes to the pressure on the pelvic floor.
Do you have any further questions about slipped discs in dogs? Please contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.
