Back pain in dogs

Pain in your dog's back can be due to many different causes. Your dog may have stretched or damaged the muscles in the back, suffered from a herniated disc or a back disease. Read on for information about back injuries and back diseases.

Common back injuries and back diseases

Herniated disc

There are several different types of herniated disc, but technically it means that something breaks in the back. What are the most common symptoms, how are they treated and what does the prognosis look like for the dog to recover?

More about herniated discs and how the damage is treated

Spondylosis

Spondylosis is a back disease that can be a reason why the dog's back is stiff. The disease is often connected with the dog getting older and can be seen as an age change.

More about spondylosis and how the disease is treated

Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis (L7-S1)

Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis (DLSS), often referred to as L7-S1, is a spinal disease that can affect dogs. Disease that occurs between the last vertebra (L7) and the first sacral vertebra (S1) due to pressure on the nerve fibres.

More about degenerative lumbosacral stenosis and how it is treated

Muscle stretching in dogs

Your dog may also "just" stretch a muscle that may take time to heal. During the healing period, which is significantly longer than the symptom period, the dog must rest. However, rest does not only mean lying still, but it is about controlled exercise in the form of long leash walks. If a muscle injury is not allowed to heal properly, it can become chronic.

How do I know if my dog has back pain?

That the dog has back pain can show itself in many different ways. Common symptoms that the dog has back pain are that it stops jumping up on the sofa, finds it difficult to get up, no longer wants to stretch out on the bed or starts limping. Problems with the musculoskeletal system often creep in.

Keep the dog in good condition with warm-up and exercise

Always make sure to keep your dog in good condition and at a normal weight for the dog's well-being. Also think preventively by always warming up your dog before, for example, hunting, obedience or agility.

Back pain - when do I need to see a vet?

If your dog seems to have back pain, you should contact your vet as there are several conditions that can cause back problems. If symptoms of a herniated disc appear quickly, such as the dog having difficulty walking and perhaps even appearing paralyzed, the vet must be contacted urgently as the dog needs emergency surgery for the best prognosis.

Many back injuries and diseases can be operated on and treated. Rehabilitation can be a long process.