Lumbar Lesions: Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease

Image: TL MRI scan showing vertebral bodies, the spinal cord, and the protruding discs implicated in Kupkake's symptoms.

This week was a busy one. MRI scans give more detailed images for better diagnosis, but this also means they take a lot longer compared to X-rays or CT scans. Not to mention, each patient is different: for some, the problem spot will show up pretty early on, while other cases require more scans to pinpoint an issue. Overall, scans can take up to an hour at least, meaning that 5 critters in one day is a lot! Thankfully we managed to get all of the scans done in good time, with some bonus puppy cuddles.

One case that came in this week was a pitbull named Kupkake who was suddenly paralyzed in her hind legs, accompanied by pain along her spine. A CT scan showed some potential pinching of the spinal cord, so a thoracolumbar (TL) MRI scan was performed to give the vets a better idea of what was going on. 

The spine is formed by 3 major parts–the vertebrae, the spinal cord, and discs. The spinal cord carries bundles of nerves that connect the brain with the rest of the body, allowing us to feel and control our limbs. Discs are sections of soft tissue that prevent vertebrae from grinding together as the spine moves. Finally, the vertebrae themselves encase both the supportive column and the spinal cord, lending protection and structure.

The symptoms of this dog suggested that one of the discs in her lower back had 'slipped,' which means that the thick liquid contained in the supportive column was leaking, putting pressure on her nerves. Since Kupkake was paralyzed only in her hind end, that suggested that the problem was in her lower back.

A scan of her lower back revealed several discs that had slipped, with the most problematic almost completely cutting off the nerves controlling her hind end. This condition is called intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and can happen to canines and humans alike. With a (literally) clearer picture of what the issue is, hopefully this cutie's veterinarian will be able to perform surgery to relieve the pressure and regain some of her mobility.



Here is a fantastic article that explains IVDD in great depth: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/degenerative-disc-disease-in-dogs

For a good summary of spinal anatomy, check out this link: https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/herniated-disc/anatomy-herniated-disc

For some examples of slipped discs, and an intro to reading spinal MRI scans, check out this article: https://healthcareextreme.com/how-to-read-mri-lumbar-spine-in-8-easy-steps


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