Canine Disc Herniation: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatm
Dog Intervertebral Disc Herniation Symptoms:
Cervical intervertebral disc herniation can lead to neck pain, difficulty in lowering the head, extending the neck, and resistance to touch due to muscle spasms in the neck area. The dog may exhibit a lameness in the front limbs with a stiff gait and short strides. In severe cases, there can be varying degrees of paralysis in all four limbs and ataxia.
Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation results in back pain, reluctance to move, and an arched back. When the dog's spine is touched, there is often an increased sensitivity. The affected area is usually one or two vertebrae before the sensitive spot. There may be varying degrees of paraparesis and ataxia in the hind limbs, as well as incontinence of urine and feces. The dog may suddenly experience total paralysis, hind limb paralysis, unsteady walking, or inability to move. Symptoms include the dog suddenly not allowing anyone to touch its waist or body, barking when touched, and displaying extremely aggressive behavior. The dog may walk with a stiff gait or be excessively cautious, sometimes even cowering and whining in fear.
Treatment Methods for Dog Intervertebral Disc Herniation:
Dog intervertebral disc herniation is a spinal cord disease that can be treated with conservative methods and surgical interventions. Conservative treatment is primarily employed.
The principles of conservative treatment include: limiting activity, pain relief, antiinflammatory measures, and promoting the recovery of neural function.
Limiting activity involves placing the affected dog in a crate or its usual living space, minimizing disturbances, and allowing for ample rest. Alternatively, the dog can be kept on a leash.
Local anesthetic therapy, using Ampicillin Sodium 0.5g, Procaine 1.5ml, Lidocaine 1.5ml, Dexamethasone 5mg, and performing a fourpoint thoracolumbar block. Treatment is administered in courses of 3 to 7 days, and longterm use should be avoided.
Acupoint injection, using Ampicillin 0.5g, Osteopetide Injection 2ml, and injecting at the Baihui point, along with intramuscular injection of Dexamethasone 5mg, can enhance effectiveness. Treatments are administered every 3 days, with three sessions making up a course.
To promote neural function recovery, use Compound Angelica Injection 2ml, VB1 2ml, and VB12 1ml for subcutaneous injection. These act as nutritional drugs for the nerves and are highly effective.
Limit physical activity by avoiding activities that involve sudden twists or jumps, such as bowing, jumping up and down, roughhousing, climbing stairs, running with all four limbs off the ground, and loud barking.