Discospondylitis in Dogs

Category: Bone & Joint
Breeds documented: 7
Published sources: 5

Overview

An infection can inflame a spinal disc and the ends of the bones on either side of it. This is called discospondylitis, and bacteria are the most common cause, although fungi can also be involved. The infection often reaches the spine through the bloodstream from elsewhere in the body. Back or neck pain is a key sign, and pressure on the spinal cord can also cause weakness or difficulty walking.

Signs to watch for

Pain in the back or neck.
Reluctance to move or exercise.
Low energy or appearing unwell.
Unexplained weight loss.
Weakness or an unsteady walk.

It can occur in young and older dogs; age at diagnosis varies among breeds.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog loses the ability to walk.

Diagnosis and tests

The vet may use spinal X-rays to look for damage around a disc and the neighboring bones. CT or MRI scans can help detect changes earlier in the illness. Blood and urine cultures can help identify the infection. Testing for a bacterial infection called brucellosis is also recommended.

Breeds with documented risk

7 breeds

By breed size

1 Small
1 Medium
4 Large
1 Giant

French BulldogSmall · Non-Sporting Group
German ShepherdLarge · Herding Group
RottweilerLarge · Working Group
BulldogMedium · Non-Sporting Group
Doberman PinscherLarge · Working Group
BoxerLarge · Working Group
Great DaneGiant · Working Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.