| What a Herniated Disc Is | | | | have not worked, the doctor will most likely want to |
| The disc that sets between the spinal vertebrae | | | | operate. He will order various diagnostic procedures to |
| ruptures when the dog has a herniated disc. When the | | | | be preformed first though. This surgery will help take |
| disc ruptures the gel-like material on the inside of it | | | | the pressure off the dog's spinal cord which is brought |
| seeps out. This material then can become hardened | | | | on by the hardened gel and other debris. |
| and calcified, which lessens its shock-absorption ability. | | | | A great percentage of the dogs do quite well with the |
| Pressure can cause this hardened substance to | | | | surgery, if the nerve damage is not too severe and it |
| explode or bulge into the spinal canal nearby, where | | | | is caught soon enough. Rehabilitation is also part of this |
| the spinal cord is located. This is the process that is | | | | treatment. Rehabilitation for dogs could involve |
| known as herniation. This can result in pain and elevate | | | | exercises and underwater treadmills to improve |
| to feeling loss or paralysis. | | | | muscular strength. This could also improve how the |
| Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Dogs | | | | dog in functioning neurologically. |
| There is more than one treatment option for the dogs | | | | The major problem with herniated discs is that they |
| when a herniated disc happens. If the dog is still moving | | | | can keep happening. As long as there is a healthy disc |
| then prednisone can be given to the dog. Treatment | | | | left it can become herniated. There are some breeds |
| with this will lessen the swelling around the spinal cord | | | | of dogs that have more of a tendency towards this |
| which is causing the pain and making it unpleasant for | | | | problem than others. The body weight should be kept |
| the dog to move. This treatment can take the place of | | | | down in the dogs that are predisposed to this problem. |
| surgery sometimes. The dog should not however stay | | | | Any dog is good physical health can recover from this |
| on this treatment too long because steroids like the | | | | problem better than one in poor physical condition. |
| prednisone can have negative side effects that can | | | | Also instead of regular neck collars use the chest |
| cause the dog problems. | | | | harness kind. The neck collars can cause stress on |
| The veterinarian could instead recommend limited | | | | the neck. The dogs also should not have jarring |
| activity and rest for the dog. This will decrease the | | | | motions happen to the back such as jumping off of |
| amount of stress that dog's back is being put through. | | | | the furniture. |
| Of course this treatment and the prednisone are only | | | | When you are suspecting problems contact the |
| for mild cases where the dog can still walk. | | | | veterinarian immediately. |
| In the event your dog cannot walk or other treatments | | | | |