It is not for everyone and it is important to understand what one is getting into though, for the right owner and patient, management of the 'downer' can be rewarding and the human/animal bond can continue. Rarely is rear paralysis temporary so long term management will require commitment. These animals are colloquially called 'downer' animals and have special management needs. The animal will be normal from the point of the spinal injury upward and paralyzed from the point of the injury downward. Rarely, a slipped disc in dogs can cause lameness by trapping one of the spinal nerves as it exits the spine.Unfortunately, spinal damage leading to rear leg paralysis is not an uncommon problem in pets. Loss of function in these cables results in the animal not being able to urinate and being unaware of painful stimulation in the toes.Īs an animal recovers from spinal damage, their nerve functions return in the reverse order to that in which they disappeared.ĭepending on the site of spinal damage (neck, back or lower back), these signs may affect only the back legs or the front ones as well. The deepest cables (in the centre of the spinal cord) are the ones responsible for informing the brain that the bladder is full, and finally the one carrying pain sensation from the limbs from the brain. As we move deeper into the spinal cord, the next group of cables are the ones from the brain sending messages to move the legs.ĭamage to these cables results in weakness of the legs, which can progress to total paralysis. Because this group of nerves is the most superficial, they are the first to be affected by pressure from a slipped disc.ĭamage to these nerves results in the animal being wobbly on his legs. Their main function is to send messages to the brain about the position of the leg and body in space. The most superficial cables are those running from the leg to the brain.

The cables making up the spinal cord are organised into groups depending on their function within the nervous system. This concussion can sometimes be seen as spinal cord ‘swelling’. However, it can be very difficult to assess how much bruising has occurred – even with these specialised techniques. Myelography, CT or MRI can help to determine how much the spinal cord is being compressed. It is not possible to say how much each of these components contributes to the symptoms in an individual animal by examination alone. ‘Bruising’ of the spinal cord caused by the impact of the disc as it is herniate (concussion component).Pressure of the herniated disc material on the spinal cord (compression component).The symptoms that develop following disc damage are the result of: How do I know how severe the slipped disc is in dogs? Dachshunds, Shi Tzu, and Pekingese are the most commonly affected breeds and signs usually develop around two to four years of age. This type of degeneration is mainly seen in breeds with short ‘bandy’ legs (also known as chondrodystrophic breeds) as these breeds are born with abnormal cartilage. If this happens the annulus fibrosus can tear allowing the, now stiff, nucleus to bulge out and put pressure on the spinal cord (disc extrusion). Disc degeneration is more common in the regions of the spine which are particularly exposed to physical stress (the lower neck, mid-back and lower-back).ĭegeneration can also result in stiffening of the disc as the semi-liquid centre becomes dry and loses its cushioning properties. This causes progressive thickening of the dorsal part of the annulus fibrosus which presses up on the spinal cord (disc protrusion).

Degeneration of the disc as a result of a premature ageing process.Rupture of a healthy disc can be caused by trauma (such as a road traffic accident, or a fall from height) with tearing of the annulus fibrosus.

Patient Care Assistants and TechniciansĪ slipped disc in dogs is a veterinary neurology issue that can happen in two ways:.

Dog losing control of legs