![]() ![]() How can I tell if my dog has intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)? Medium to large breed dogs and cats age 5-12 years tend to be the most represented. In these dogs you may notice reluctance to exercise, rise, jump climb stairs or they may look stiff or have a hunched back. Most dogs present acutely but occasionally signs develop insidiously and progressively. Clinical signs are similar to dogs with Hansen type I disease. Sometimes acute tearing is associated with bleeding and the blood contributes to the compression. Occasionally the annulus tears and the torn fragment is extruded into the spinal canal compressing the spinal cord. Instead of an extrusion of the centre of the disc (jam bursting out of the doughnut) there is a bulging and protrusion of the annulus, the outer part of the disc (bulging doughnut). Hansen Type I IVD extrusion in the thoracolumbar spine.ĭogs with Hansen type-II disc disease are more similar to human disc disease and occur in non-chondrodsytrophic dogs and cats (ie animals without disproportionately short limbs). Hansen type-I disc disease is a painful disease and in severe cases, an emergency situation and your dog should see a vet promptly so a comprehensive examination can be performed. Clinical signs range from pain to paralysis. The velocity of the impact affects the severity of the injury as does the volume of disc extrusion. Unfortunately, this is usually in an upwards direction and impacts and compresses the spinal cord above. Consequently, normal movements (especially twisting) put intolerable strain on the disc and eventually the “doughnut” tears and the “jam” explodes or oozes out. In the diseased disc, the jam (nucleus pulposus) becomes hard and is no longer compressible. The normal disc is compressible and squidgy – they allow the vertebral column to flex, extend and twist. The intervertebral disc structure can be compared to a jam doughnut. Hansen type-I intervertebral disc disease is most easily described as an ‘extrusion’ or ‘herniation’ of the inner contents of the intervertebral disc. The degree of clinical signs is variable but does influence prognosis, as does the duration of clinical signs. The onset of clinical signs is generally acute i.e. Hansen type I disc diseaseĭogs with Hansen type-I disc disease is most common in small breed dogs aged 2 years old and above), although larger breeds can be affected. The types of disc herniation are often described as Hansen type I (nucleus pulposus degeneration and extrusion), and Hansen type II (annulus fibrosis degeneration and protrusion). The Dachshund is the most common example of a chondrodystrophic breed.ĭisc degeneration results in diminished shock-absorbing capacity, and can ultimately lead to disc herniation and spinal cord compression. ![]() When intervertebral discs of chondrodystrophic dogs degenerate, they can calcify making the discs visible on radiographs. Thus chondrodystrophoid dogs suffer early degenerative changes in the disc making them likely to herniate. Chondrodystrophic dogs, which characteristically have disproportionably short and curved limbs, for example, the Basset Hound, Dachshund, Lucas Terriers, Sealyhams and Shih Tzus. However certain, ‘at-risk’ dogs ( chondrodystrophic breeds and crosses) can suffer disc problems from when they are young adult dogs. Disc degeneration is thought to occur because of loss of the disc to “hold water” becoming dehydrated. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is an age-related, degenerative condition. What causes intervertebral disc disease and are there certain breeds at risk? Intervertebral disc degeneration results in diminished shock-absorbing capacity, and can ultimately lead to disc herniation and spinal cord compression. They consist of a fibrous outer rim, the annulus fibrosis, and a jelly like centre, the nucleus pulposus. Intervertebral discs are fibrocartilaginous cushions between the vertebrae (except the first two cervical vertebrae) that allow movement, are supportive and act as shock absorbers. ![]() The most common spinal surgery performed in the dog is for intervertebral disc disease. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is the most common spinal disease in dogs and is also seen occasionally in cats. What is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)? Contact us – Orthopaedics & Neurology, Eashing.Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopaedics and Neurology – Eashing.Rehabilitation of orthopaedic conditions.Cervical spondylomyelopathy (wobbler syndrome).Steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA).Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia.Shoulder osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). ![]()
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