Back problems in dogs are common, but making the correct diagnosis about the cause of your dog’s condition can be tricky.
If your dog has a change in posture, favors one side, winces when you touch her back, is reluctant to turn her head, or shows coordination issues, there may be a possible back problem.One or more of these symptoms will likely generate a diagnostic test from your veterinarian. Here is a list of the best tests used to diagnosis spinal cord problems in dogs:
- X-Ray – After a thorough exam your vet will probably order this test first. X-rays are relatively inexpensive and can point to a fracture, infection or bone cancer. X-rays can also determine if arthritis, a malformation of the spine or if a slipped disc pressing on the spinal cord is causing your dog’s symptoms.
- Blood Tests– This test will probably be ordered if the X-ray is inconclusive. Blood tests can detect metabolic disorders that affect the nervous system, lead poisoning, infections and some fungal diseases. Blood tests also diagnose Myasthenia Gravis, which is an autoimmune disease that blocks the connection between the nerves and muscles to cause weakness.
- Myelogram – This next test is a bit more invasive. It involves injecting a special dye into the spinal canal that becomes visible on an X-ray. Myelograms can determine herniated disks and spinal cord tumors.
- Spinal Tap – By extracting fluid from around the brain and spinal cord, a spinal tap can provide very useful diagnostic information. It can detect the presence of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) meningitis, cancer or a compressive injury of the spine. Spinal taps also diagnose fungal infections, brain abscesses and some tumors.
- Electroencephalogram –An EEG test records electric brain activity. It is not used as often as the other diagnostic tools, but can be helpful to point out meningitis or encephalitis, head injuries or brain tumors.
- CT Scan (computed tomography) or CAT Scan – This procedure is one of the “big guns” in diagnostic testing. CT Scans are expensive and require your dog to be anesthetized so she will remain completely still during the process. The test is administered by a specialist. CT Scans are also one of the most useful methods to look at the brain or spine. The scan sends a very fine x-ray beam through body collecting information that is sent back to a computer. It is best used to diagnose soft tissue problems and tumors.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – The MRI is the “big daddy” of all diagnostic tools. It is also very expensive, costing several thousand dollars, depending how much of the spine must be viewed. The process uses magnetic and radio waves to see inside a dog’s body. The good part is the procedure does not expose your pet to radiation. It is particularly useful in diagnosing brain and spine problems by showing veterinarians the inside of an organ or tissue. Like the CT Scan, dogs must be under general anesthesia for the test.
While all of these tests have a purpose, they are not able to detect all diseases of the spine and brain. These are diseases that are only diagnosed by exclusion and veterinarians and pet guardians have to wait to see how a dog’s symptoms develop. One of these diseases is Degenerative Myelopathy. DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that begins with loss of coordination in the back legs and progresses to paralysis in about 6 months.
Please be sure to discuss all of these diagnostic tests and their risks thoroughly with your veterinarian before proceeding. We wish you the very best outcome if you and your dog are facing a spinal cord issue.
photo credit: Emma, ready for her close-up via photopin (license)
There is a pretty significant grey area when it comes to diagnosing diseases in dogs, especially those that are not commonly diagnosed. I think that they are making some significant strides but not fast enough. Everything you outlined is very good to know, I am going to pass it along to a friend who is having problems with her French bulldogs back, he is losing the use of his back legs and he is a young dog.
I hope the information is helpful to your friend. I wrote the story so pet owners would know what to expect and understand each test has limitations.
Thank you, this was very helpful and informative. I could not find this information summarized so well anywhere online.
Thank you for letting me know the story was helpful! I really appreciate your feedback.
Thank you so much for the information. I have just been told today that my pug has about 6 months until total paralysis of his back legs. No xrays or other tests were performed other than physical manipulation. The Dr. Stated tests are very expensive and inconclusive and would not change the inevitable outcome. ELI is 9 years old. We initially thought his drooping tail and Lack of movement was due to the loss of his companion only a few weeks ago. We are devastated and are not sure what to do next.
Michelle, I’m sorry about your pug. Your veterinarian is correct that tests can be expensive and inconclusive, but you might also want to get a second opinion or ask your veterinarian for clairification. Pugs are prone to a type of paralysis called Hemivertebrae.
My dog’s neurologist is saying that the only way to see a slipped disc or tumor in the spine is via MRI but this says an x-ray could.show that. I just wantes to double check on this. I will be mad if a vet would tell.me to get something that costs $2,500 when a.simple x-ray would do.
Kim, My story is an overview of the different tests to diagnose back problems, but each individual dog’s situation is unique. If your neurologist has already done an exam he might have ruled out some of the things X-rays would have determined. They are good at discovering broken bones, dislocations, calcifications and collapsing discs. Please don’t get angry with your veterinarian. I suggest you have a discussion.
Here is further information from a well-known site called Veterinary Partners that I routinely use as a reference for articles. It will help you understand the process of diagnosing IVVD.
Plain Radiographs
“While advanced modes of imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanning are not available to most veterinary hospitals, plain radiography usually is. It is also relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of imaging. The first step of imaging typically involves plain radiographs to rule out obvious spinal issues. Broken bones or dislocations are generally obvious. Calcified disks and disk space collapse can often be seen. The location of a disk herniation can be determined in 50-75% of disk cases. Radiography of the neck requires general anesthesia or sedation to get proper relaxation of the muscles.
Step Three: Advanced Imaging
If surgery is being considered, then it becomes necessary to identify the exact disk space involved so that the surgeon will know where to cut. Classically, myelography has been the next step. Myelography requires general anesthesia and the injection of iodine based dye around the spinal cord. The image of the dye can be seen to narrow at the area of spinal cord compression identifying the area of compression in 85-95% of cases. The patient typically then goes directly to surgery without waking from anesthesia. As a general rule, there is not much point in performing a procedure to specifically localize a compressive lesion unless surgery is being considered.”