Neuro Corner Answers
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Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
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Question
If a dog is already in wheels due to IVDD and not likely a chance of recovery, can the spine get re-injured to where the spine is worse? Where the dog is in constant pain? Needs another surgery? Needing to try conservative treatment for the re-injured area? ~Frenchie owner
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ANSWER
Unfortunately, the answer is yes – dogs in wheels can have another disk issue either at the same site or a different one. Issues that can arise are pain and more severe neurological deficits. In cases where the pain is not responding to medical management or the neurological deficits are more severe surgery could be considered to address quality of life.
Andrew