TL;DR: Spinal sensitivity in dogs requires a veterinary appointment within 24 to 48 hours, but it is a medical emergency if your dog cannot walk or has lost bowel control. Providing videos of your dog’s gait and physical reactions helps veterinarians quickly assess the severity of the neurological issue.
What are the common signs and causes of spinal sensitivity in dogs?
Sensitivity to touch along the spine is a common indicator of pain, inflammation, or neurological distress in dogs. You may notice your dog flinching, tensing their muscles, dipping their back, or even snapping when the area is touched. This sensitivity can be caused by various factors including muscle strains, osteoarthritis, or more serious conditions like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
When is my dog's spinal sensitivity considered a medical emergency?
- If your dog is still walking normally, schedule a veterinary appointment within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the condition from worsening.
- Seek emergency care immediately if your dog is unable to walk or is dragging their hind legs.
- Emergency veterinary intervention is required if your dog has lost control of their bowels or bladder.
How can I use photos and videos to help the veterinarian triage my dog?
- Record a video of your dog’s gait to show exactly how they move and walk.
- Capture a video of the specific reaction your dog has when the sensitive area is touched.
- Provide these videos to help experts identify the exact vertebrae involved and the severity of any neurological deficit.
- Use visual data to help the veterinarian determine if the issue is muscular or related to the spinal cord.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In dogs, sensitivity to touch along the spine, particularly when associated with a focal and painful lesion, can be indicative of spinal neoplasia or other spinal cord abnormalities. Extradural tumors are the most common type of spinal tumors, causing spinal cord compression. Diagnosis involves radiography, myelography, CT, or MRI, and potentially surgical biopsy. Clinical signs may include muscle atrophy localizing to the affected nerve, and altered superficial or deep pain sensation caudal to the lesion.
Chapter: Neurology, Oncology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1253)