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PhysicallyFITWhy Does My Dog’s Back Hurt?By Paul J. McGough, VMDIllustration of a dog spine.Back pain - our canine companions can experience this painful,frustrating, and potentially life-long health problem that many ofus humans have also experienced at some point in our lives. Oneof the most common causes of back pain in dogs is a herniated or“slipped” disk. While certain breeds such as Dachshunds,Beagles, and German Shepherds are at most risk, this disordercan occur in any adult dog. Fortunately for dogs and pet ownersalike, modern medicine has given veterinarians the ability to successfullydiagnose and treat our four-legged family membersafflicted with this troublesome condition.What is a “slipped” disk?The anatomy of the canine spine is similar to that of our own.The spine consists of numerous bones called vertebrae, whichhouse and protect the spinal cord. Each vertebra is separatedfrom each other by a fibrous material called an intervertebraldisk, which provides shock-absorbing cushioning between eachvertebra and allows the neck, spine, and tail to bend. Disease ofthese disks occurs when the fibrous material becomes calcifiedand hard, losing its function as a cushion and shock absorber.Pressure, trauma, or activity (even as much as just jumping offthe bed) can then cause the disk to rupture, or herniate, resultingin the disk bulging upward into the spinal canal, where the spinalcord resides. This protrusion puts pressure on the spinal cord,resulting in a wide range of problems, including significant pain.Picture of an MRI unit for animals atVet Imaging Partners.How do I know if my dog has a “slipped” disk?The most common site of back pain in dogs is located in the middleof the dog's back often near the level of the last rib. The clinicalsigns of the dog depend on the amount and severity of pressureapplied by the herniated disk to the spinal cord. When thedisk first starts to bulge, the top clinical sign is discomfort. Butdogs in discomfort don’t typically cry out the way a person does.Instead, a dog with back pain will often have some or all of thefollowing clinical signs associated with pain: reluctance to walk,38 I PhillyFITMay/June I 267-767-4205 I www.phillyfit.comMRI of a dog with a slipped disk.A = vertebrae (bone); B = spinal cord;C = intervertebral disks; red arrow =herniated disk compressing thespinal cord.hesitance or difficulty jumping in a car or on a sofa, suddenunwillingness to use stairs, sitting down often, tenseness in theirback or their belly, walking with a hunched back, whining, pantingand shaking, and/or yelping when picked up. With moderateto severe compression of the spinal cord, the dog will oftendevelop neurological abnormalities involving the hind legs, suchas weakness, uncoordinated wobbly walking, knuckling of thepaws, dragging of the hind legs, or even complete paralysis totheir hind end. A dog showing any of these neurological signsshould be treated as an emergency and seen by a veterinarianright away!Are there medicines that can help?If your pet is diagnosed with a back problem on history and physicalexam and is uncomfortable with no neurological abnormalities,he or she will often be started on a combination of three differentmedications: an anti-inflammatory, a muscle relaxant, and apain medication. Never give your pet any over the counter medicationsyou may have at home, as many of them are toxic todogs! In addition to prescribed medications, owners will also beinstructed to provide strict rest (sometimes even crate rest) forseveral weeks for their dog, with no exercise or activities exceptleash walking for bathroom duties. While this step in the courseof treatment is often the hardest for pet owners to follow, it is byfar the most essential as it is similar to humans being restricted tobed rest while their body attempts to heal. Furthermore, thisstrict rest should be considered an emotional and financial investment,as failure to do so may result in worsening of the pet’s conditionand the need for surgery as described below.Are there any tests that can be done to confirm a disk problem?If your pet’s pain is severe, is unresponsive to medical treatment,or if there are neurological signs evident, further diagnostics are