Dog spinal problems can be misdiagnosed as dog arthritis. Without the right diagnosis, the proper treatment can’t be given.
It
is easy for people to think their dog has dog arthritis especially when
they notice their dog experiencing stiffness or difficulty in
movement. However, the symptoms can also be caused by spinal problems.
In fact, the areas that are affected by dog arthritis are also prone to
spinal problems.
Types of Spinal Problems
- Lumbrosacral disease, when the one or several discs are unstable which put additional pressure on the spinal cord.
- Spondylosis, a degenerative condition common in elderly dogs.
- Intevertebral disc degeneration, the deterioration of one or several discs.
- Wobbler’s syndrome, the spinal column is misaligned causing compression in the spinal cord. The condition results in an ‘wobbly’ gait.
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), abnormal changes in the cartilage at the ends of the vertebra.
Spinal
problems and dogs arthritis basically share the same symptoms. For
example, dogs with spinal problems will move slower, may hobble, and
will have difficulty in standing. Other symptoms are loss of appetite,
behavioral changes, and clumsiness.
Identifying the Right Culprit
In
order for them to identify whether your dog is suffering from dog
arthritis or a spinal problem, your vet will have to do a neurological
exam. However, you can do a simple test yourself to determine whether
your dog has dog arthritis or a spinal problem.
Proprioception
is an easy method of testing your dog’s spinal health. First, you need
to hold your dog under its hind legs, supporting most its weight. Now,
place one of your dog’s foot with your dog’s ‘knuckles’ (the top part of
your dog’s paw) on the floor. When your dog does not feel any
discomfort with the position it is in and makes no attempt to move the
leg, it most likely that your pet is suffering from a spinal problem and
not dog arthritis.
Spinal problems cannot
simply be dismissed as they can greatly affect your dog’s quality of
life. Just like dogs arthritis, spinal problems merits an immediate visit
to the vet, as a diagnosis during the early stages of the condition
will make a world of a difference.
The spine
is a difficult body part to treat and from vet to vet there is a
difference in their approach to treating spinal problems. Most likely
they will be using a multi-modal treatment plan which comprises of
steroids, muscle relaxants and painkillers.
Thus, regular visits to the vet are recommended so that a proper diagnosis can be made and the right treatment for your dog’s condition can be give whether it’s dog arthritis or a spinal problem.
Dog Arthritis vs. Spinal Problems (PDF)