Discospondylitis is characterised by the inflammation of vertebral discs along the vertebral column. The discs and columns play an important role in protecting your dog's spinal cord. Vertebral discs are cartilaginous and act like shock absorbers, and without these discs, there would be no spinal movement. Discospondylitis can occur as a result of a bacterial infection reaching the spinal cord through the bloodstream. It can also occur as a result of a back injury, bite wounds or as a complication of a previous back surgery.

Symptoms Of Discospondylitis

Common symptoms of Discospondylitis include difficulty standing, stiff gait and being unable to jump. Back pain is common and may present itself as your dog becoming withdrawn and irritable when you try to pet them.  Due to the closeness of the vertebral discs to the spinal cord, symptoms related to nervous system impairment are common, such as loss of coordination, limb weakness and sudden lameness. Paralysis can also occur, particularly in dogs that have not received prompt treatment.

Diagnosing And Treating Discospondylitis

To diagnose your dog with Discospondylitis your vet will take a thorough account of their symptoms and perform a physical exam. Blood and urine tests will be necessary to establish if an infection is present, and your dog will need to undergo diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray, MRI or CT scan. Imaging allows the vet to identify the exact location and extent of the inflammation and determine whether there's any damage to the surrounding structures.

When Discospondylitis is diagnosed early and isn't causing too many problems for your dog, your vet may recommend trying anti-inflammatory drugs as a starting point for treatment. Antibiotics will also be required if an infection is found to be the cause of the problem, and painkillers can be prescribed to make your dog more comfortable. However, surgery is often required, particularly when the nervous system is affected. The goal of surgery is to decrease the pressure on the spinal cord, and this may be achieved by removing infected disc tissue. It may also be necessary to remove a piece of the vertebral bone to allow the inflamed disc to move back into the correct position.

During recovery, your dog will need a calm quiet environment that allows them to rest. Exercise will need to be kept to a minimum, and you may need to carry your dog outside for toilet breaks. Your vet will discuss your dog's individual recovery plan with you and a follow-up appointment will be made to ensure healing is going as planned. 

If you think your dog has developed Discospondylitis, have them examined by your vet as soon as possible. 

For other questions, contact a local veterinary surgeon.