Intervertebral disc degeneration in dogs

Abstract

Back pain is common in both dogs and humans, and is often associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. The IVDs are essential structures of the spine and degeneration can ultimately result in diseases such as IVD herniation or spinal instability. In order to design new treatments halting or even preventing IVD degeneration, more basic knowledge of the disease process is needed.

The key findings of this study are: •The division of the processes underlying canine IVD degeneration into chondroid or fibroid degeneration appears to be inaccurate. The biochemical, histopathological, and morphological alterations examined during the process of IVD degeneration were found to be similar in CD and NCD dog breeds. •IVD degenerative diseases were most common in CD breeds, especially in Dachshunds, and were 1.5 times more common in male than female dogs. Case fatality rates were found to be higher than previously suggested, with rates of 34% in the overall population, around 20% in most CD breeds, and over 50% in the NCD breeds at highest risk such as the Doberman and the German Shepherd Dog. •IVD degeneration in dogs could accurately be diagnosed, early in the degenerative process, by using low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI based grading scheme used in humans could reliably be used in dogs, and was found to be highly correlated with pathological changes found post mortem. Early diagnosis facilitates the possibility of preemptive treatments.