Strict rest is essential to the success of medical treatment for any back problem. "Strict rest is an important part of treatment for any back problem." Any disorder of the back is aggravated by excessive body weight. If your dog is overweight, weight reduction will be an important part of the conservative treatment. This is dependent upon the duration and severity of the signs and owner preferences as surgery intervention is costly. Treatment of lumbosacral syndrome involves either conservative medical treatment or surgical intervention. Additional tests such as computed tomography scans (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also used to diagnose lumbosacral syndrome. This is the injection of contrast material around the spinal cord so that pressure on the spinal cord can be seen on subsequent radiographs. If the clinical signs and radiographs are suggestive of cauda lumbosacral syndrome, a special radiographic study, called a myelogram, is performed. If the disc ruptures, there may be evidence of a narrowed disc space or disc material against the spinal cord. However, this is common in many dogs and may not cause any clinical signs. Radiographs (X-rays) will generally reveal non-specific arthritic changes at the lumbosacral junction. If this happens, the dog will be uncoordinated when it walks, or it may be paralyzed in the rear legs. Other dogs will develop fecal or urinary incontinence, and some will mutilate their feet or tail with incessant chewing.Īs the problem progresses, the disc that is located between the last lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum may rupture. Occasionally, dogs develop weakness or lameness in the rear legs, due to muscle atrophy (loss of muscle). Some will literally fall to their knees when the tail is lifted sharply. Some dogs may be slow to rise from a lying position because this movement aggravates the inflamed nerves and muscles. When pressure is applied to the muscles in the lower back, many dogs will cry or move away. Dogs with lumbosacral syndrome are in pain. This causes inflammation of the spinal cord and muscles in the affected area. When instability exists along the spine, abnormal movement occurs. What are the clinical signs of lumbosacral syndrome? The most common causes are arthritic degeneration and intervertebral disc herniation. This pressure may be due to a narrowed spinal canal caused by arthritis, intervertebral disc herniation, an infection in the disc, trauma, congenital malformation, or a spinal tumor. Narrowing of the spinal canal and pressure on the nerves that exit the spine cause the clinical signs. Cauda equina syndrome or lumbosacral syndrome is a condition caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal and results in compression of the spinal nerve roots (nerves that exit the spine). The term sacral refers to the sacrum, which is the part of the spine that joins the lumbar spine and the pelvis. ![]() These are the bones in the lower part of the spinal column. The term lumbo refers to the lumbar vertebrae. “I urge everyone that has made an inquiry about him to go to their local shelter and find a dog that’s a great match for them because Quasi Modo is one of millions in the shelters in the US and worldwide who need a home.The term cauda equina syndrome, is Latin for "horse's tail." At this level of the lower spine, the spinal cord changes shape from a tubular structure to a collection of large nerves that have the appearance of a horse's tail.Ĭauda equina syndrome or lumbosacral syndrome is a disease that occurs at the lumbosacral junction in the lower back. ![]() The center has been inundated with requests to adopt the loving and courageous German Shepherd and while Mairose knows they’ll find him a wonderful forever home, she has a message for all those who are reaching out to offer him a place in their families: Specialists are being consulted to see what Quasi may need in the future but right now, Anderson says he’s on pain meds and doing great. “Basically what that means is that the vertebrae in his back are compressed and he’s actually missing a couple of them.” ![]() “Quasi has what’s called short-spine syndrome,” explains Sara Anderson, the large breed foster coordinator at the center. While Quasi is now a happy and confident dog, his rare condition means Mairose and her colleagues are taking their time before rehoming him. He’s goofy, he’s playful, he loves girl dogs, he thinks he’s Casanova, not Quasi Modo,” she says smiling. “The first day I met him he was so shy and I thought, I wonder if this dog really does enjoy life and as soon as I got him home I realized how much he does. Nervous and scared of people, Quasi soon came to trust Mairose and her family, who are temporarily fostering him until a permanent placement can be found.
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