As our furry babies enter the senior phase of life, they may begin to experience several health complaints. Some of the most common medical conditions older dogs suffer from are cognitive impairment, vision/hearing loss, osteoarthritis, and diabetes.
However, dog owners should be aware of one rare condition: “Spondylosis”. In this condition, the spine vertebrae naturally deteriorate over time, and bony spurs can be identified along the bone edges of the spinal column.
It can happen due to regular wear and tear or because of a past spinal injury. Should your dog walk with an awkward gait or have mobility issues, consult your vet for diagnosis and treatment. Also, consider being prepared with dog insurance ahead of time so getting medical help during health emergencies need not be financially stressful.
Contemplate purchasing cheap pet insurance in the least, so you don’t have to compromise on medical care quality in needy times of health because of the finances involved. In the meantime, read this article to learn about dogs commonly affected by Spondylosis, its symptoms, and treatment.
Dogs commonly affected by Spondylosis
This medical condition is often seen in larger senior dogs and can also develop in middle-aged dogs and any dog breed, regardless of size. It is observed that certain dog breeds, like Boxers, have a genetic predisposition for developing this medical issue.
Symptoms
Recognizing the condition’s onset can be challenging because many dogs may not show any symptoms at all. It is often accidentally detected while running diagnostic tests like X-rays or testing for other health problems. For instance, an x-ray taken to examine the abdomen and pelvis may reveal bone spurs in the spine.
When the bone spurs grow to the extent that they limit normal spinal movement, it can cause changes in your dog’s gait. The spinal bones tend to become stiffer, hamper flexibility, and restrict free movement. For instance, lying down, getting up, rolling over, and jumping might test a furry baby’s strength and spirit.
Sometimes a bone spur may develop near a nerve, putting much pressure on it. In a case like this, the canine pet will experience excruciating pain and discomfort and express its despair through crying, whining, tenderness, pacing, and avoiding people’s touch.
Should you identify changes in your dog’s movements, meet your vet asap. Your vet can run the required tests and work with you to get to the root cause of the significant pain your pet has been experiencing.
Treatment
The course of treatment depends on the level of seriousness of the issue and is mainly focused on helping the canine fur baby get some relief from painful symptoms and managing the problem through anti-inflammatory medications, therapies, exercise, and weight control. However, the vet may not suggest any medications if the doggo doesn’t display any signs of the condition.
Surgery may be suggested in chronic cases and cost a fortune; consider being prepared with dog insurance so handling unplanned vet bills is much easier. While cheap pet insurance provides basic health coverage, more costly policies with higher annual benefit limits provide your furry baby with comprehensive health coverage. Contemplate signing up for a best-fit policy depending on your canine’s health needs and your budget.
