Spondylosis in dogs: causes, symptoms and treatment options
Spondylosis is a degenerative disease in dogs which leads to an increasing degradation of the elastic components in the spine and to a progressive ossification of the spaces between the vertebrae.
In the following, you will learn why dogs suffer from spondylosis, what symptoms occur and what treatment options are available. We will also give you tips on how to reduce the likelihood of your dog suffering from spondylosis.
What is canine spondylosis?
The spine stabilises the body. To ensure the necessary mobility, the spine consists of individual vertebrae connected by ligaments and muscles.
In addition, there are intervertebral discs between the vertebrae which serve to absorb shocks and enable pain-free movements in the spine.
If a dog suffers from spondylosis, the intervertebral discs first recede. This then leads to instability, which the body tries to counteract with repair measures.
To this end, the dog forms ossifications between the vertebrae, which are accompanied by increasing stiffening of the corresponding area in the spine. As long as the vertebrae are not yet completely fused together, dogs with spondylosis very often suffer from paralysis and recurrent herniated discs.
What causes spondylosis in dogs?
There are a number of factors that can cause or promote spondylosis in dogs. Above all, regular overloading due to overweight or a very high training load in sports dogs can significantly increase the risk of developing spondylosis.
Incidentally, it is mostly older dogs that suffer from spondylosis, as this is a classic sign of wear and tear. Apart from this, service dogs in particular are very often affected due to the high physical strain in their everyday lives and can sometimes even suffer from spondylosis at a younger age.
It is also known that certain breeds of dog have a natural tendency to develop spondylosis. These are usually heavy and large dogs. A corresponding genetic predisposition is known to exist in St. Bernard, Labrador and German Boxer, among others.
What symptoms do dogs with spondylosis show?
As dogs with spondylosis usually suffer from back pain, you will probably notice that your dog is reluctant to be touched on his back and that his urge to move is significantly reduced.
As the condition progresses, even simple movements such as getting up and lying down become increasingly difficult.
If you suspect that your dog is having problems with his spine, it makes sense to keep an eye on his movements and gait. This is because dogs with spondylosis can usually be observed to avoid movements such as running and jumping as much as possible, and their gait can appear remarkably unsteady.
If, for example, your four-legged friend suddenly decides to give up his or her beloved place on the couch, this may well be related to a case of spondylosis. In addition, dogs with spondylosis are often no longer able to lift their leg and therefore do their business like puppies again.
How is spondylosis diagnosed in dogs?
If you notice possible symptoms of spondylosis in your dog, we recommend that you visit a vet as soon as possible. After the vet has asked you about your dog's movements and posture, he'll first check the spine for any changes by palpation.
For a final diagnosis, however, it is necessary to take X-rays or examine the dog's spine with a computer tomograph.
How is spondylosis in dogs treated?
Spondylosis is a degenerative disease which unfortunately cannot be cured. Nevertheless, the quality of life of dogs suffering from spondylosis can often be largely maintained with the right treatment measures.
To this end, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications are mainly used to help the dog against the intermittent symptoms of spondylosis. Apart from this, between inflammation attacks, it makes sense to rely on physiotherapy and suitable exercise programmes, such as gymnastics in water.
In some cases, the ossifications caused by spondylosis also put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, so that surgery may be necessary. As surgery under general anaesthesia is a major risk, especially for older animals, it should be avoided as long as possible when treating dogs with spondylosis.
How can spondylosis in dogs be avoided?
Unfortunately it is not possible to completely prevent your dog from developing spondylosis. Nevertheless, there are a number of things you can do to at least reduce the likelihood.
The following measures can help prevent spondylosis in your dog:
- Prevent obesity by feeding your dog according to his needs.
- Support the diet that is necessary if the dog is overweight with Shiimun Slim.
- Avoid excessive physical strain.
- Avoid climbing stairs and high and long jumps as much as possible.
- Make sure that your four-legged friend has a comfortable place to sleep.
- Ensure a balanced diet with a high-quality dog food.
Of course, the measures listed above not only help to reduce the risk of developing spondylosis, but should also be followed for dogs that are already affected.
Food supplements for dogs with spondylosis
Experience shows that if a dog suffers from spondylosis, the administration of special dietary supplements can be useful. One product that is perfectly suited to this is, for example, Joints & Bones from Bellfor.
This natural food supplement contains Ovopet, an innovative complex of active ingredients extracted from the membrane of the shells of hen's eggs. Ovopet provides your dog with many important nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and collagen.
Joints & Bones from Bellfor is suitable for all dogs that are particularly susceptible to spondylosis due to high stress or their genetic predisposition. In addition, the product can be used to complement the treatment by the veterinarian in a sensible way.
Our conclusion on the topic of spondylosis in dogs
As you can see, spondylosis is a serious matter, which is associated with permanent problems for your dog. It is therefore important to counteract the disease as soon as possible so that the symptoms can be controlled as much as possible.
Apart from this, you should take appropriate measures to help reduce the risk of spondylosis in your dog. In addition to avoiding overstrain, a healthy diet, which is reliably achieved with Bellfor products, is of decisive importance.
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