Regrettably, dogs cannot verbally express where they feel pain, which makes it challenging to pinpoint the exact source when they’re injured and experiencing evident discomfort. Even veterinarians may encounter difficulty in identifying the precise location of the pain. Moreover, since various factors can contribute to neck and back pain in dogs, identifying the underlying cause often requires a considerable amount of time and investigation.
Symptoms and Types
- Alteration in posture
- Abnormal alignment of the spine (e.g., upward curvature of the back)
- Observable injuries around the spine area (e.g., bruises, discoloration)
- Stiffness in the neck
- Inability or reluctance to turn or lift the head
- Vocalization (yelps or moans) upon touching the neck or back
- Vocalization (yelps or moans) upon movement of the spine, or complete refusal to move
- Lethargy and weakness
- Presence of fever
- Lack of coordination, wobbliness, or difficulty walking properly (ataxia)
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
Causes
Muscle-related conditions affecting the spine:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Bite wounds
- Inflammation
- Infections
Disc-related disorders:
- Degenerative discs
- Disc infections
- Spinal instability
Spinal trauma:
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Cancer affecting the vertebrae, nerve roots, or surrounding tissues
- Membrane disorders in the brain and spine
- Kidney disease
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive physical examination of your dog, considering the background history of symptoms and any potential incidents that may have precipitated the condition. It’s crucial to provide detailed information about your dog’s health history, symptom onset, the nature of symptoms, and potential causes of the injury.
Baseline blood tests, including a chemical blood profile and complete blood count, along with a urinalysis and spinal fluid analysis, will be performed. Additional diagnostic procedures such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and X-ray imaging of the abdominal and spinal regions may be utilized to accurately pinpoint the source of back pain.
Neurological examinations and myelograms, involving the injection of a radiopaque agent into the subarachnoid space of the spine for enhanced visualization of the spine and spinal nerves on X-ray images, are also essential diagnostic measures.
Treatment
Due to the diverse causes of neck and back pain, treatment approaches are tailored to the specific nature of the disease and the extent of involvement of spinal tissues. Hospitalization may be necessary depending on the veterinarian’s assessment. Treatment modalities often involve the administration of dog pain medication, surgical interventions, or a combination of both.
Potential treatments encompass anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids, antibiotics, and chemotherapy as deemed appropriate by the veterinarian. Surgical intervention becomes imperative in cases of spinal trauma, paralysis, disc or vertebrae infections, and cancer located in proximity to the spinal cord.
Living and Management
Due to the diverse causes of neck and back pain, treatment approaches are tailored to the specific nature of the disease and the extent of involvement of spinal tissues. Hospitalization may be necessary depending on the veterinarian’s assessment. Treatment modalities often involve the administration of dog pain medication, surgical interventions, or a combination of both.
Potential treatments encompass anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids, antibiotics, and chemotherapy as deemed appropriate by the veterinarian. Surgical intervention becomes imperative in cases of spinal trauma, paralysis, disc or vertebrae infections, and cancer located in proximity to the spinal cord.