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Spondyloarthrosis

Spondyloarthrosis is a form of osteoarthritis of the spine. In response to disc wear and resulting instability, the body makes additional bone around the edges of the vertebrae. These growths can end up forming real bony bridges connecting...

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

It is in some way an attempt by the body to stabilize a spine that has become too mobile.

It is very common in older dogs, and many dogs show it on x-rays without having the slightest sign. The discovery of bony bridges is therefore not synonymous with illness: what matters is the condition of the dog.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Pain Lameness Staggering gait Fatigue Unusual aggression

Most often, no signs: spondyloarthrosis is discovered by chance on an x-ray taken for another reason.

When she expresses herself: back stiffness, difficulty turning around, rolling onto her side, shaking herself.

Back pain, dog who stoops, refuses to be stroked on the kidneys, growls when handled.

Difficulty getting up, going up stairs or in the car.

Short, cautious gait, loss of enthusiasm while walking.

Lameness or weakness of a hindquarters when a nerve root is compressed.

Unsteady gait of the hindquarters in advanced forms.

Change in character: dog isolates itself, becomes irritable, has difficulty being carried.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

The starting point is the wear and tear of the intervertebral discs, which lose their flexibility with age. The column becomes locally unstable and the bone reacts by producing growths on the edge of the vertebrae.

Repeated mechanical stress accelerates the process: excess weight, intense activity, jumps, traction work.

Trauma to the spine or an old herniated disc favors the appearance of spondyloarthrosis in this area.

A disc infection, which is rarer, also causes bone changes; it presents differently, with fever and marked pain, and must be distinguished from common osteoarthritis.

A predisposition exists in certain breeds.

Advanced age: the frequency increases markedly with the years.

Large format and heavy or very muscular breeds.

Excess weight, which increases the stress on the spine.

Intense sporting activity, repeated jumps, traction work.

History of herniated disc or back trauma.

Racial predisposition recognized in certain dogs.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The veterinarian palpates the spine segment by segment and mobilizes the back looking for a painful or stiff area.

He performs a neurological exam to check if any nerves are affected.

X-rays of the spine show bony growths and bridges between vertebrae. Be careful with interpretation: their presence does not prove that they are responsible for the signs, because many dogs without pain present them.

When nervous signs exist, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is necessary to visualize compression and rule out a herniated disc or tumor.

A blood test is carried out before prolonged pain treatment, and if disc infection is suspected.

Treatment

A dog without signs does not require any treatment: we do not process an x-ray image.

When the dog suffers, the treatment is that of osteoarthritis: weight loss if necessary, regular and moderate activity rather than intense, painkillers and anti-inflammatories prescribed by the veterinarian during flare-ups, with renal and hepatic monitoring.

Physiotherapy, massages and water work maintain the flexibility and musculature of the back, which protects the spine.

Daily adjustments reduce pain: thick bedding, ramp for the car, elimination of jumps, harnesses rather than collars, non-slip floors.

Surgery remains exceptional and is discussed when a nerve root is significantly compressed and medical treatment fails.

Never give your dog a human anti-inflammatory: ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol can cause stomach ulcers, digestive bleeding and serious damage to the kidneys or liver, sometimes fatal.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Maintain a healthy weight throughout your dog's life.

Prefer regular and moderate activity to intense and occasional efforts.

Avoid repeated jumping from furniture or the trunk of the car, provide a ramp.

Use a harness on dogs that pull on a leash.

Maintain the muscles of the back and hindquarters.

Have an older dog monitored regularly to identify pain before it limits its movements.

Possible complications

Chronic back pain, with reduced activity and muscle wasting.

Compression of a nerve root as it exits the spine, causing lameness and limb weakness.

Loss of flexibility of the column, which transfers the stresses to the still mobile segments and extends the problem.

Worsening of osteoarthritis of the hips or knees due to change in gait.

Behavior change related to chronic pain.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog has a stiff back, stoops or struggles to turn around.

He growls or shy away when touched on the back or kidneys.

He has difficulty climbing stairs, no longer jumps, cuts his walks short.

A posterior becomes weak or slips.

His character changes and he has difficulty handling being manipulated.

Back pain accompanied by fever and depression should be seen quickly: a disc infection should be ruled out.

Weakness of the hindquarters which sets in within a few hours or a loss of their use requires an emergency consultation.

Prognosis

In most dogs, spondyloarthrosis remains silent and does not affect quality of life.

When it is painful, it is well controlled with a controlled weight, appropriate activity and pain treatment adjusted to the flare-ups.

The bony bridges already formed do not disappear; the goal is comfort, not the disappearance of images.

The prognosis is more guarded when a nerve root is compressed in a lasting manner and medical treatment is not enough.

Frequently asked questions

The x-ray shows bony bridges on the spine: is my dog doomed to suffer?

No. Many dogs show these images without ever having pain. It is the clinical examination, not the x-ray, that tells whether your dog is suffering and whether it needs to be treated.

Should we stop walking?

No. Immobility worsens stiffness and melts the muscles that support the spine. We replace violent efforts and jumps with short, regular outings on soft ground.

Can this turn into a herniated disc?

These are two separate problems, but they share the same origin: disc wear. A dog with spondyloarthrosis may also have a herniated disc, hence the importance of urgent consultation if weakness in the hindquarters suddenly appears.

Can I give him an anti-inflammatory from my pharmacy for his back?

No, never. Human anti-inflammatories are toxic to dogs and can cause digestive ulcers and serious kidney or liver damage. Only treatment prescribed by the veterinarian is appropriate.