Long Dogs, Beware

Long Dogs, Beware

We see a lot of long dogs in our clinic; dachshunds are a popular pet. No surprise—this type of dog is a good-tempered, loyal and affectionate companion, overall a very sturdy little animal with a long lifespan. Almost nothing can go wrong with a dachshund, except… except the thing that goes wrong with practically every dachshund. Spinal troubles.

It often begins with back pain, and sometimes that’s the full extent of it. That’s a best-case scenario. We can often treat this level of injury with pain medications and very strict bed rest. The body is an amazing machine and can skillfully repair itself of many injuries if we set the stage properly. Sometimes, however, pain is just the initial phase of a progressive, destructive process inside the spinal column which can only be repaired by a surgeon.

Each of the bones of the spine has a cavity that is meant to line up precisely with the next one in line. A very soft and delicate structure, the spinal cord, passes through each chamber in succession, and the cord must be protected at all costs. It controls all movements and functions everywhere south of the brain. In vertebrate animals, the bones of the spine are separated by fibrous cushions called discs. They allow this long column of bones to flex in various directions and prevent the hard parts of it from grinding against each other. They absorb the shocks of everyday life, such as jumping off the deck and couch. The discs allow this long tunnel and its precious contents to remain perfectly aligned, yet flexible. If a disc deteriorates or is subjected to an excessive amount of force, its soft center can leak out into the spinal canal. It’s a very snug fit in there, with only exactly enough room for the spinal cord. Any additional material in that space exerts pressure on the delicate cord. A very small amount might be able to resolve itself over time, but severely affected patients will need to have the disc material pulled out by a surgeon.

The outward signs of spinal cord bruising are pretty easy to recognize once you know what to look for. Most disc injuries take place about halfway down the back, so only the rear limbs are affected. The front of the dog can be observed trundling along in proper dachshund fashion, while the rear half weaves from side to side in a drunken-looking way. Milder cases manifest as occasional stumbling in the rear. In really advanced cases, one or both of the rear legs drag behind uselessly. This process must be curtailed before the bladder is involved, because that represents a big step down in survival rates. If you observe signs of rear leg dysfunction in your dachshund, head straight to the emergency vet. If you see signs of pain only and have to wait, it’s absolute cage rest until the vet’s office opens. Handle your pet with perfect gentleness during transport, and the vet will take it from there.
Dr. M. S. Regan