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Lumbosacral stenosis

Condition Guide

Lumbosacral stenosis

What is Lumbosacral stenosis?

Lumbosacral stenosis is a spinal condition of dogs that resembles a ‘slipped disc’ or ‘sciatica’ in people. As in people, many patients with lumbosacral stenosis can be managed successfully with conservative treatment, although surgery is occasionally necessary to relieve the pressure on trapped nerves.

Lumbosacral stenosis is a neurological condition where nerves at the base of the spine are compressed by a bulging disc or other tissues. Ageing may result in dehydration and degeneration of this disc which may then bulge and compress or ‘trap’ regional nerves. The resultant narrowing of the canal in the spine or the exit holes between the bones is referred to as stenosis.

What are the signs of Lumbosacral stenosis?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Back pain
  • Reluctance to jump and climb
  • Difficulty rising
  • Hind limb lameness
  • Incontinence
  • Reduced tail movement

How is Lumbosacral stenosis diagnosed?

X-rays are poor for investigating lumbosacral stenosis, since the condition primarily involves the lumbosacral disc and regional nerves which are soft tissues that don’t show up on X-rays. MRI scanning is the best method for investigating many spinal conditions, including lumbosacral stenosis. It provides detailed information on the location and extent of any soft tissue compressions of the spinal nerves in the lumbosacral spine.

How is Lumbosacral stenosis treated?

The majority of dogs and cats with lumbosacral stenosis can be successfully managed without the need for surgery. It is often necessary to modify exercise with avoidance of strenuous activities that involve jumping, climbing, twisting and turning. Dogs should initially be walked on a lead (short distances frequently) and exercise should be gradually increased over a number of weeks. Overweight patients should be placed on a calorie restricted diet.

The majority of affected animals will benefit from receiving pain killing medications. Anti-inflammatory agents, neuropathic drugs and muscle relaxants may all be beneficial. Lumbosacral stenosis may also be managed by injecting a long-acting steroid around the compressed spinal nerves via a lumbar puncture. Repeat injections may be necessary in some patients.

Some patients with lumbosacral stenosis require surgery in order to relieve pain, hind limb lameness and other clinical signs. Removing bone from the top of the spine is referred to as a laminectomy, whilst enlarging the exit holes between the bones is referred to as a foramenotomy.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy is a key component in helping aid the recovery from neurological diseases. Once the vet has diagnosed your pet and completed any surgeries, our team can can step in to aid the long road to recovery.

Initial therapy may include standing exercises, as well as range of motion exercises. These are complimented with pain control and toe pinch exercises. An important part of the retraining is aquatic rehabilitation. Often, with more severe cases, one of our trained neurological hydro therapists will assist the dog whist in our underwater treadmill.

Other exercises include balance exercises, core stability and spacial resistance band walking, physio-roll balancing and home specific exercises. In the hydrotherapeutic environments, the dogs will walk and train with resistance against the water, whether walking or swimming. We also use therapeutic electrotherapies to deep-heat muscles, cryotherapy and laser therapy to aid the recovery process.

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Wobblers Syndrome

Condition Guide

Wobblers Syndrome

What is Wobblers Syndrome?

Wobblers Syndrome is the common term for ‘cervical spondylopathy’, due to the characteristic wobbly gait that many of these dogs develop. A slipped disc is secondary to wobblers but is a common combination. It is an uncommon condition involving abnormal development of the bones in the neck. The deformed bones may directly compress the spinal cord or cause soft tissues in the spine to thicken and compress the spinal cord.

What are the signs of Wobblers Syndrome?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Weak or wobbly back legs
  • Scuffing paws and dragging toes
  • Choppy forelimbs
  • Hind limbs look disconnected
  • Neck pain
  • Reluctance to jump or climb
  • Low head carriage
  • Difficulty lowering the head to eat or drink
  • Inability to walk
  • Incontinence

How is Wobblers Syndrome diagnosed?

A neurological examination is necessary to detect evidence of spinal cord compression and neck pain. There are many other causes of neck pain and nerve injury in addition to wobblers. Normal X-rays of the neck may show deformity of the vertebrae. Advanced imaging techniques such as an MRI scan or a CT-myelogram scan are the preferred methods of investigating cervical spondylopathy.

How is Wobblers Syndrome treated?

Wobblers Syndrome tends to be a progressive condition. The abnormally formed vertebrae and associated instability cause soft tissue thickening and compression of the spinal cord. Most cases are managed surgically to try and prevent further injury to the spinal cord however there are some candidates where conservative management is preferred

Conservative treatment
When dogs with wobblers syndrome are managed conservatively, their exercise should be restricted with avoidance of unnecessary jumping and climbing. Short walks on a harness may be preferable to long periods of free exercise.

Surgery
The aim of surgery is to relieve the compression on the spinal cord. This may be done in one of two ways:

  1. The abnormal tissue can be cut away from the spinal cord
  2. The abnormal tissue may be stretched to reduce compression on the spinal cord

Stabilisation of the abnormal vertebrae may also be necessary.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy is a key component in helping aid the recovery from neurological diseases. Once the vet has diagnosed your pet and completed any surgeries, our team can can step in to aid the long road to recovery.

Initial therapy may include standing exercises, as well as range of motion exercises. These are complimented with pain control and toe pinch exercises. An important part of the retraining is aquatic rehabilitation. Often, with more severe cases, one of our trained neurological hydro therapists will assist the dog whist in our underwater treadmill.

Other exercises include balance exercises, core stability and spacial resistance band walking, physio-roll balancing and home specific exercises. In the hydrotherapeutic environments, the dogs will walk and train with resistance against the water, whether walking or swimming. We also use therapeutic electrotherapies to deep-heat muscles, cryotherapy and laser therapy to aid the recovery process.

I'm ready to get some help for my dog

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

Get Referred to Us

More conditions

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Cervical Disc Disease

Condition Guide

Cervical Disc Disease

What is Cervical Disc Disease?

Cervical disc disease is more commonly known as a ‘slipped disc’ in the neck. The discs are the structures between the bones of the spine that act as shock absorbers. They are best thought of as a soft centre inside a fibrous ring.

Discs in dogs degenerate as they get older – just like people. This process results in the discs becoming dehydrated and losing their cushioning effect. They may then ‘slip’ in one of two ways:

  1. The material in the centre of the disc can come out of the fibrous ring and injure the spinal cord (this is called a disc extrusion).
  2. The fibrous ring may thicken and compress the spinal cord (this is called a disc protrusion).

What are the signs of Cervical Disc Disease?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Neck pain
  • Reluctance to jump or climb
  • Low head carriage
  • Difficulty lowering the head to eat or drink
  • Weakness or incoordination in all four limbs
  • Inability to walk (rare)
  • Incontinence (rare)

How is Cervical Disc Disease diagnosed?

A neurological examination is necessary to detect evidence of spinal cord injury and neck pain. Normal X-rays (radiographs) of the neck may reveal evidence of cervical disc disease, such as a narrowed disc space or a calcified disc. However, more advanced investigations are necessary to see which disc has actually slipped and to assess the severity of any spinal cord compression. Of these advanced imaging techniques, an MRI scan provides the best method of investigating cervical disc disease.

How is Cervical Disc Disease treated?

There are two ways to manage cervical disc disease.

Conservative treatment
When dogs with cervical disc disease are managed conservatively their exercise must be restricted. Short walks on a harness for toileting purposes may be necessary, with strict confinement at other times. The hope is that the ‘slipped disc’ will heal, any neck pain subside and the spinal cord recover from any injury. Painkillers may be necessary and possibly other drugs such as muscle relaxants.

Surgery
The aims of surgery are to remove any disc material that is compressing the spinal cord and to prevent any more disc material ‘slipping’. Decompressive surgery involves removing a section of bone from the bottom of the spine to enable retrieval of disc material. Further ‘slipping’ is prevented by removing any remaining material in the centre of the disc.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy is a key component in helping aid the recovery from neurological diseases. Once the vet has diagnosed your pet and completed any surgeries, our team can can step in to aid the long road to recovery.

Initial therapy may include standing exercises, as well as range of motion exercises. These are complimented with pain control and toe pinch exercises. An important part of the retraining is aquatic rehabilitation. Often, with more severe cases, one of our trained neurological hydro therapists will assist the dog whist in our underwater treadmill.

Other exercises include balance exercises, core stability and spacial resistance band walking, physio-roll balancing and home specific exercises. In the hydrotherapeutic environments, the dogs will walk and train with resistance against the water, whether walking or swimming. We also use therapeutic electrotherapies to deep-heat muscles, cryotherapy and laser therapy to aid the recovery process.

I'm ready to get some help for my dog

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

Get Referred to Us

More conditions

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The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Atlanto-axial Subluxation

Condition Guide

Atlanto-axial Subluxation

What is Atlanto-axial Subluxation?

The atlanto-axial joint is the joint between the first and second cervical bones in the neck, referred to as the atlas and axis respectively. It differs from the joints between the other vertebrae in that there is no ‘disc’ present. Instead, the atlanto-axial joint is stabilised by ligaments just like those in the joints in a leg. Subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint occurs when the normal alignment of the first and second vertebrae in the neck is disrupted. This results in excessive movement of this joint which can cause neck pain and pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord which runs through the tunnel created by the vertebrae.

What are the signs of Atlanto-axial Subluxation?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

  • Neck pain
  • Rigidity of the neck
  • Low head carriage
  • Difficulty lowering the head to eat or drink
  • Weakness or incoordination in all four limbs

How is Atlanto-axial Subluxation diagnosed?

A detailed neurological examination is necessary to detect evidence of spinal cord injury and possible neck pain. Investigations are then required to confirm atlanto-axial subluxation and distinguish it from many other neck problems. Investigations usually require a general anaesthetic and this must be undertaken with extreme care, as manipulation of the neck can exacerbate any spinal cord injury.

How is Atlanto-axial Subluxation treated?

The two ways to manage atlanto-axial subluxation.

Conservative treatment
This involves strict cage rest, application of a neck brace and giving painkillers. Maintaining a neck brace, often for several weeks, is very difficult and is poorly tolerated by many patients.

Surgery
The aim of surgery is to stabilise (fuse) the atlanto-axial joint in a normal position. This alleviates neck pain and enables the spinal cord to recover from injury. Atlanto-axial subluxation surgery should only be performed by experienced surgeons with advanced training.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation therapy is a key component in helping aid the recovery from neurological diseases. Once the vet has diagnosed your pet and completed any surgeries, our team can can step in to aid the long road to recovery.

Initial therapy may include standing exercises, as well as range of motion exercises. These are complimented with pain control and toe pinch exercises. An important part of the retraining is aquatic rehabilitation. Often, with more severe cases, one of our trained neurological hydro therapists will assist the dog whist in our underwater treadmill.

Other exercises include balance exercises, core stability and spacial resistance band walking, physio-roll balancing and home specific exercises. In the hydrotherapeutic environments, the dogs will walk and train with resistance against the water, whether walking or swimming. We also use therapeutic electrotherapies to deep-heat muscles, cryotherapy and laser therapy to aid the recovery process.

I'm ready to get some help for my dog

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

Get Referred to Us

More conditions

View more conditions

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Unpicking the world of joint supplements

One of our standard questions we ask all clients is whether your dog is taking any supplements. Whilst there is some good evidence of real added value to a variety of supplements it is also a £50,000,000 industry in the UK known as Nutraceuticals – with that comes some big bucks in advertising spend which can make it difficult to pick through the fact from the fiction. In this article we’ve done our best to unpick, on a very broad and consumer focussed level, the detail behind supplements and reviewed some of the top recommended brands.

LAST UPDATED: 11TH JULY 2023

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The effects of cold water on your dog

Our crazy Managing Director, along with his wife, has taken to throwing himself in cold water for ‘fun’ under the guise of Wild Swimming. However, recently on a trip to Durdle Door cold water shock started to set in and muscle tightness was a real issue. With this in mind, and being mid-winter at the time of writing, we thought we should cover just what happens when your dog jumps in a river, stream, sea or lake this winter!

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Muscles dogs use during exercise

We are constantly talking about muscles with our dog owners, in this article we have tried to simplify the complexities of what your dogs muscles do and explore which major muscles are used during different types of exercises.

Any dog owner that has run playfully through their local park with their beloved pet has no doubt marvelled at the speed and graceful manoeuvrability a dog possesses. The muscular anatomy of a dog, while serving the same purpose in a dog, differs in structure and function from the muscular system in a human body. Just as the human muscular system is composed of units of tissue connected to the skeletal system, skin, and other muscles, a dog’s muscle anatomy is arranged in a similar fashion. Additionally, both muscular systems use the power of contraction to produce movement.

The muscle anatomy of a dog serves two important purposes. The first, and most obvious, is to facilitate movement of the limbs, head, neck, and joints. An equally important function for muscles is to provide stability to the joints of the body, making it easier for them to function under pressure.

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Weight loss for dogs

So, you’re hitting the gym, cutting the carbs and starting your journey to become the new you – well it is January after all! But what about your dog, have they over indulged or maybe this horrible weather (we’re being battered by Storm Brendan as I write this) is making those walks a little shorter than they normally would be?

It’s thought that around 55% of dogs are overweight. With this in mind, there are likely to be over 60,000 overweight dogs within the catchment area of the Canine Fitness Centre!

Even though we know that 55% of dogs are overweight, 93% of dog owners think their dog is a healthy weight. And even though 93% of dog owners think their dog is a healthy weight, 43% of dog owners actually admit that they don’t know what a normal weight dog looks like. We can’t help are dog lose weight if we don’t know they need to lose it.

In this blog we hope to help you identify healthy dog weights and how to help it get there.

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Conditioning the Canine Athlete

Properly conditioned dogs perform better, are less likely to suffer injuries, when injury does occur they are less severe, and recovery is faster. Fit dogs also suffer less stress which translates to greater stamina and longevity, creating a win–win situation for both dog and handler.

In human athletics and sports, athletes will spend a large proportion of their time training in the gym and exercising appropriately for their chosen sport.  In human sports, the exercises and conditioning we do should be appropriate for the activity we plan to do, for example a marathon runner will do very different training from that of a 100m sprint athlete. Just like humans, the ways we exercise and agility dogs is very different to what we should do with a cani-cross dogs.

By undertaking an appropriate fitness and conditioning programme, you can better prepare the dog’s body to undertake the tasks we ask of it. If your dog has the right strength, balance and flexibility it will be able to adjust itself better, handle more difficult tasks easier both of which may lead to better performance but more importantly reduce the risk of injury should things not go according to plan.

Continue reading Conditioning the Canine Athlete