“You know, saa-shaay! Her back end sways side to side, and she gets down real low in the rear. Sashay. Downtown dragging. You know, ‘Shawty got low, low, low.’ Not her normal Doxie dance.”
I was not being schooled on the hottest TikTok moves but on the sudden sauntering style of a 5-yearold Dachshund dubbed Dorothy. Apparently, I wasn’t getting it.
“She starts doing this for no reason. She can be lying beside me, jumps down, and then starts walking hunched up and dragging her hind end. If I touch her back she gets a little mouthy.”
To make her point, Dorothy’s mom pulled up a sleeve to reveal a nasty gash on her forearm slashed across an exceptional tattoo reproduction of Picasso’s “Lump” Dachshund.
Note to self: Avoid Dorothy’s pointy end while examining the posterior parts. Also, ask her mom who did her ink.
Dog Disc Diseases
I immediately observed Dorothy was significantly weaker in her rear legs. I also noted a grimace as I approached her mid-back. My findings were quickly beginning to validate my initial concern: intervertebral disc disease.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is the most common canine spinal condition diagnosed by veterinarians.
Typical clinical signs are:
- Sudden weakness (paresis) or paralysis in one or both rear legs
- Intense localized pain along the backbone
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- Reluctance to stand, walk, or climb stairs
If the injury is in the neck region, all four legs may be involved. There are many conditions that can cause similar symptoms including trauma, arthritis, immune-mediated or infectious diseases of the spine, blood clots, neuromuscular diseases, and tumors.
There are three types of IVDD veterinarians must distinguish between.
Hansen Type 1 IVDD occurs when part of the intervertebral disc, the protective “shock absorber” located between the spinal vertebrae, ruptures or protrudes, compressing the spinal cord running down the center. This causes severe pain and interferes with nerve transmission, resulting in weakness or paralysis. Type 1 is most frequently found in chondrodystrophoid (“short-legged” or “dwarf”) breeds such as Dachshunds, Corgis, Frenchies, and Basset Hounds; dogs with genetic mutations CDDY or CDPA; and dogs with obesity. These injuries usually occur in the mid-back known as the thoraco-lumbar junction or “TL.”
Type 2 is more common in older, large breeds and is a progressive, usually nonpainful, disease that may lead to gradual hindlimb paralysis.
Type 3 are also called “acute non-compressive” or “missile discs” and often follow trauma or injury.
Diagnosis is made on medical history and physical exam, neurological tests, X-rays, and MRI or CT scans. I’ll be the first to admit that I consider any “sashaying sausage dog” to have IVDD until proven otherwise.
Testing and Monitoring
Dorothy’s mom had identified the problem early, and my tests revealed the presence of pain perception in both feet. I explained how the simple “pinch test” is important in determining how significant the spinal cord compression is in a dog. If a dog with suspected IVDD fails to withdraw his paw when the skin between the toes is squeezed, that is a sign surgery is needed urgently.
Another essential test is the “knuckle-over.” I gently bent the top of Dorothy’s paw so she was “standing” on it. Healthy dogs will immediately flip the paw back. Dogs with worrisome IVDD will either remain “knuckled-over” or very slowly return the paw to normal posture.
Finally, I emphasized the importance of monitoring for normal urine flow and pain-free bowel movements. Many dogs with IVDD will develop weak bladder function, putting them at risk for infection and complications. Other dogs will experience painful defecations, leading to constipation or worse. If Dorothy exhibited any changes in urine output or stream force or cried or whimpered while going potty, she needed to come in at once.
If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.
PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can <b>talk to a vet online</b> and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!</p>
<p><div class="su-button-center"><a href=https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/"https://pangovet.com/?utm_source=dogster&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dog_infection_illness%22 class="su-button su-button-style-default" style="color:#FFFFFF;background-color:#FF6600;border-color:#cc5200;border-radius:9px;-moz-border-radius:9px;-webkit-border-radius:9px" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;padding:0px 24px;font-size:18px;line-height:36px;border-color:#ff944d;border-radius:9px;-moz-border-radius:9px;-webkit-border-radius:9px;text-shadow:none;-moz-text-shadow:none;-webkit-text-shadow:none"> Click to Speak With a Vet</span></a></div></div></div></p>"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}"> If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Time for Treatment for Dog Disc Disease
Treating IVDD depends on the type, location, duration, severity, and progression. Dogs who have become paralyzed or lost feeling routinely need immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord to eliminate pain and restore function. The longer a dog suffers from severe IVDD, the worse the chances of full recovery become. The majority of cases, especially when treated early, will improve with a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs, rehab, and rest.
Dorothy passed all her neurological tests, indicating likely mild disc protrusion and spinal compression. X-rays didn’t show any obvious spinal abnormalities, so we elected to delay a neurologist referral and MRI unless her condition worsened.
- I administered a potent anti-inflammatory injection and began class 4 laser therapy that day. We arranged for one of our veterinary technicians to treat her at home two to three times a week for the next four to six weeks.
- Strict rest and limited movement for the next two weeks were also stressed. Short, closely monitored leash walks to use the bathroom and sitting quietly in her mom’s lap or beside her were going to be her only activities until further notice. Dorothy had a comfy carrier her mom would make extra cozy during recuperation.
- In addition, we would later initiate oral anti-inflammatory medication combined with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.
- I also prescribed a weight-loss plan to help Dorothy shed a few unhealthy pounds that were adding pressure to her weakened spine. Because safe weight loss in dogs is about 70% diet and only 30% exercise, she could safely begin losing weight before increasing activity.
Immediate Treatment = Better Results
Within a week, Dorothy was pain-free. By one month, I okayed her to leave confinement, as long as she didn’t jump up (or down) or climb stairs. She had already lost a pound and was looking stronger each day. We continued laser therapy for another two months and maintained the Omega-3 DHA for life. I’m happy to report that Dorothy was back to normal within six months, albeit a bit slimmer and smarter! Dorothy’s mom attributed the vigor and vitality to the DHA joint health supplement; I credited the weight loss. We’re both probably right!
Prompt recognition and treatment allowed Dorothy to discontinue her “dragging” and resume her “Doxie dancing.” Back injuries need to be evaluated promptly for best results. If you think your dog is suffering from weakness or pain in the back or legs or is “getting too low” or “dragging around,” contact your veterinarian immediately. And be sure to tell them this isn’t about TikTok.
