German Shepherd Spinal Problems
If you have a German Shepherd dog, you’re probably concerned about potential spinal problems. The symptoms of the spinal disease can vary greatly, from minor to severe, depending on how far the disease has progressed. However, there are some common problems, such as hind limb weakness, that are easy to spot. Fortunately, there are many treatment options, and your dog can remain active and healthy even after spinal problems have progressed.
Diskospondylitis is an inflammation of the disk between the vertebrae. While the disk is not always infected, vertebrae can become inflamed without infection. This condition tends to affect larger breeds of dogs more than smaller breeds, and it can cause severe pain and depression. Inflammation of the spinal cord can lead to symptoms such as pain and fever, as well as weight loss and depression. Some veterinarians may opt to perform a surgical procedure in this case.
Hip dysplasia in German shepherds can be easily spotted by their bent legs, gait, and resistance to stairs. This disease can lead to severe pain in the dog and may even cause paralysis or incontinence. While it’s difficult to predict the cause of this condition, you can begin reducing your German Shepherd’s pain by treating it early. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment options can be either surgical or non-surgical.
Hip dysplasia in German shepherds is another common problem that may affect your dog.
This disease causes the ball of the hip joint do not to fit into the hip socket, causing pain. If your German shepherd has hip dysplasia, you should take him to the vet as soon as possible. Treatment options will vary depending on the severity of the condition, your dog’s age, and any symptoms. In severe cases, the condition may even lead to permanent disability.
While most German shepherds have some spinal problems, degenerative myelopathy is a serious disease for older dogs. In older German shepherd dogs, degenerative myelopathy is an inherited condition. This disease gradually weakens the spinal cord, and the back limbs can become immobile. While DM usually affects older dogs, it can affect younger German shepherds as well. Physical therapy can help slow the progress of DM in German shepherds.
The most common type of spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy, which affects the German Shepherd Dog and may affect other breeds. It is a progressive disease where the white matter of the spinal cord degenerates. As a result, the patient can experience partial or complete paralysis. Other problems, including benign tumors, can also result in spinal dysfunction. Treatment options for these disorders vary widely, but they can be expensive.
Depending on the symptoms and severity of the condition, conservative management is necessary for dogs with DLSS. Core strengthening exercises are recommended. Surgical treatment may be recommended for dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. Surgical treatment of DLSS can include decompressive dorsal laminectomy. However, it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of physical therapy in a German Shepherd.
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