Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
The disease of the canine spine can be classified based on whether the primary presenting complaint is spinal pain or neurological deficits.
Clinically important spinal cord diseases presenting with pain:
Intervertebral disc disease*
Vertebral malformations (atlanto-axial subluxation)*
* May progress to develop neurological deficits
Clinically important spinal cord diseases presenting with neurological deficits:
Intervertebral disc disease
Vertebral malformations (atlanto-axial subluxation, hemivertebrae)
Chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM or degenerative myelopathy) in the GSD
Causes of meningitis in dogs and cats include:
Immune mediated form commonest: steroid responsive meningitis / arteritis (SRMA)
(Bacterial: rapidly fatal)
(Protozoal [Toxoplasma / Neospora])
Breeds affected by SRMA:
Large pure breeds (Pyrenean mountain dog, Newfoundland, pointer, Weimaraner, Vizsla)
Clinical Signs of SRMA
Typically a waxing and waning course, associated with bouts when the dog appears unwell, demonstrates pyrexia, marked cervical pain and inappetence.
CSF tap is definitive, with evidence of elevated white cell counts, primarily consisting of large numbers of non-degenerate neutrophils. Haematology / biochemistry may support inflammation but are non-specific. Advanced imaging (besides MRI) is usually normal and myelography is contra-indicated.
Prednisolone: tapering from an initial immunosuppressive dose for 2 to 4 weeks. Continue tapering the dose over 4 to 6 months. Some patients require longer treatment or different drugs. May be self limiting after 12-18 months.
Discospondylitis is a concurrent infection of the intervertebral disk and of the adjacent vertebral bodies (vertebral osteomyelitis). Discospondylitis is more common in middle-aged large/giant breed dogs. Males are more commonly affected than females (ratio of 2:1). The most common sites affected are mid-thoracic vertebrae; C6-C7 and L7-S1.
Discospondylitis is a septic condition, usually spread by haematogenous route. It can also be secondary to penetrating wounds, foreign bodies, etc. Commonly encountered infectious agents are coagulase-positive Staphylococci, Streptococcus species, Brucella canis and E. coli.
Signs are often non-specific in the early stages. Spinal pain is usually present, while systemic signs (fever, weight loss) are reported in only 30% of cases. With progression, degeneration of the disc can lead to protrusion/extrusion.
Leukocytosis is usually absent. CSF analysis is often normal. Blood and urine cultures are reported to be positive in 45-75% and 25-50% of cases, respectively. Brucella titres should be obtained in intact animals in endemic regions. Radiographic demonstration of discospondylitis is usually sufficient for diagnosis, but radiographic changes may not appear for up to 3 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic procedure of choice.
Treatment of discospondylitis is prolonged (2 to 4 months) and relapses are not uncommon. Empirical treatment can be initiated after all samples (urine, blood, disc aspirate) have been taken for culture and sensitivity. Cage rest is important to minimize the risk of pathologic fracture. Analgesia should be provided.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Intervertebral disc disease is an important cause of canine neurological disease, accounting for over 2% of all diseases diagnosed in the dog. Affected patients typically present with signs of pain or varying degrees of spinal cord dysfunction. Disc disease in the dog was first classified by Hansen as:
Type I, where herniation of the nucleus pulposus occurs through the annular fibres of the disc into the spinal canal; and
Type II, where annular protrusion into the spinal canal is caused by shifting of the nucleus pulposus material. Both Hansen type I and type II disc disease are always preceded by disc degeneration.
A third type of disc extrusion, traumatic disc extrusion, may also occur. This happens when trauma causes rupture of a disc that demonstrated no obvious preceding degenerative changes, resulting in spinal cord injury with no or minimal residual compression.
Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)
FCE is characterised by ischaemia of the spinal cord secondary to the acute occurrence of emboli, consisting of disc-derived fibrocartilage, within the arterial and, occasionally, venous blood supply of the spinal cord. FCE often occurs in association with vigorous exercise or mild trauma (60% in one study).
FCE occurs in either sex of usually adult dogs, but may occur from as early as a few months of age. FCE occurs virtually exclusively in non-chondrodystrophoid breeds and particularly in active medium/large breeds. However, there appears to be a breed predisposition for the development of FCE in miniature Schnauzers. In non-giant breeds, 80% of cases occur between 3 and 6 years of age.
The onset of FCE is typically peracute and may be associated with a brief episode of pain, but thereafter the disease is non-progressive and pain-free. It may occur in any region of the spinal cord, but appears to be more frequent in the cervical and the thoracolumbar regions, particularly the cervical and lumbar enlargements. The neurological deficits are usually asymmetrical.
Diagnosis is based on the correct history and signalment with no evidence of spinal cord compression. MRI is the most useful imaging modality for making an ante mortem diagnosis of FCE and the primary imaging feature is asymmetrical hyperintensity within the spinal cord on T2-weighted images.
Treatment and Prognosis
Treatment is by nursing care and early instigation of physiotherapy is very beneficial. As there is no residual spinal cord compression there is no need for decompressive surgery or for strict cage rest, and physiotherapy can therefore be started as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.
Lumbosacral syndrome comprises diseases affecting the caudal lumbar (L4-L7) and sacral segments of the spinal cord, as well as the nerve roots supplied by these spinal cord segments forming the cauda equine. The nerves affected by lumbosacral syndrome may include the femoral, sciatic, obturator, pudendal, pelvic and coccygeal nerves and result in variable involvement of the pelvic limbs, tail, bladder, anal sphincter and perineum.
The primary clinical signs of lumbosacral syndrome (the presence or absence of the individual clinical signs will depend on the underlying lesion) can roughly be subdivided into 3 categories:
Neurological deficits pertaining to the pelvic limbs:
Pelvic limb paresis or ataxia
Decreased lumbosacral trunk reflexes in the pelvic limb
Pelvic limb or hip region muscle atrophy
Neurological deficits pertaining to the sacral and coccygeal nerve roots:
Decrease or loss of the anal reflex and dilation of the anal sphincter
Decreased or absent perineal reflexes
Hypoaesthesia or analgesia of the perineal region, pelvic limb or tail
Pain-related clinical signs:
Pain over the lumbosacral region
Reduced activity, in particular reluctance to jump and climb stairs
Nerve root signature (referred pain due to nerve root entrapment)
The causes of lumbosacral syndrome are varied and include (based on the DAMNIT classification):
Degenerative: lumbosacral stenosis, intervertebral disc disease, spinal synovial cysts
Developmental: spina bifida, sacrocaudal dysgenesis, dermoid sinus, myelodysplasia, transitional lumbar or sacral vertebrae, osteochondritis dissecans
Angiopathic: aortic ischaemic myelopathy, fibrocartilaginous embolism, haemorrhage, ascending and descending syndrome
Neoplastic: primary and secondary spinal cord tumours, nerve root tumours
Inflammatory and Infectious: abscessation, discospondylitis, (granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis), (mycotic diseases), (parasitic migration)
Trauma: spinal trauma
Of these causes of lumbosacral syndrome, the most important is lumbosacral stenosis.
Lumbosacral stenosis is due to stenosis of the vertebral canal at the level of the lumbosacral junction with consequent compression of the nerve roots. In some cases, the stenosis may be lateralised and only affect one intervertebral foramen. The most common cause of lumbosacral stenosis is a Hansen type-II intervertebral disc extrusion at the level of the lumbosacral junction, but other causes have been reported. The condition is most common in large breed dogs, often working dogs. The disease tends to occur in middle-aged dogs, with an increased incidence in male dogs (with a male to female ratio of 4:1). German shepherd dogs, boxers and Rottweilers are over-represented.
Affected dogs demonstrate one or more of the features of lumbosacral syndrome, with pain over the lumbosacral region (particularly on palpation and lumbosacral hyperextension) being one of the most consistent clinical signs.
Spinal trauma is a common cause of spinal dysfunction and includes endogenous and exogenous causes. Exogenous causes are most often secondary to road traffic accident or fall from a height.
Vertebrae can be divided in three anatomical compartments:
Ventral: ventral longitudinal ligament, ventral part of the annulus fibrosus and ventral vertebral body
Middle: dorsal portion of the annulus fibrosus, dorsal longitudinal ligament and dorsal vertebral body
Dorsal: pedicles, vertebral arches, articular facets, joint capsules, spinous process and interspinous ligament
Assessment of instability: considered unstable if there is a lesion of two or more compartments. The aim of spinal trauma treatment is to: 1) prevent further mechanical damage to the spinal cord; and 2) treat/prevent secondary pathophysiological events. The choice of treatment (conservative or surgical) depends on severity of the lesion (especially number of vertebral compartments involved), owner's finance, surgeon expertise and preference.
Neoplasia affecting the spinal cord is common in both dogs and cats and the exact clinical signs depend on the localisation of the lesion, with respect to the level of the spinal cord affected (e.g., cervical versus caudal lumbar). Neoplasia of the spine is classified both with respect to the physical localisation in relation to the meninges and spinal cord (into extradural, intradural but extramedullary and intramedullary).
Vertebral Malformations (Atlanto-Axial Subluxation, Hemivertebrae)
Toy and small breeds such as the Chihuahua and Yorkshire terrier are at highest risk as a result of failure of development of the dens (aplasia or hypoplasia). Onset of clinical signs in dogs with the congenital form usually occurs in young animals, although the problem can develop at any age, especially following minor trauma. Clinical signs are those associated with cervical spinal cord compression: pain, ataxia and/or upper motor neuron paresis/paralysis.
Malformations of the Vertebral Body and Disc
Most of these malformations are incidental findings and do not cause any significant neurological deficits, however in some cases, the spinal canal can be severely reduced, causing compression of the spinal cord.
Malformations of the Vertebral Arch and Spinal Cord
Incomplete closure of the vertebral arch. It is most commonly reported in English bulldogs and can cause paraparesis and urinary and faecal incontinence.
Congenital Syringomyelia and Spinal Dysraphism (Myelodysplasia)
Malformations of the spinal cord have been described in Weimaraner and other breeds of dogs.
Reported in the Manx cat as well as pugs and bulldogs. The clinical signs include paraparesis and urinary/faecal incontinence.
Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy (CDRM or Degenerative Myelopathy)
Chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) is a degenerative neurological disorder resulting in progressive pelvic limb ataxia and paresis in older large breed dogs, particularly the German shepherd dog. The underlying pathogenesis is unclear, but is likely to have a genetic basis.
Affected dogs are generally over six years of age and the mean age of onset is around 9-years of age. Clinically, dogs present with a gradual progression of an initial insidious pelvic limb ataxia. The neurological abnormalities are bilateral and usually symmetrical (although mild asymmetry is not uncommon). The lesion is diffuse and there are therefore no focal localising signs, such as focal pain or cutaneous trunci reflex cut-off. Due to involvement of the dorsal roots, the patellar reflex is decreased or lost in about 25% of cases. The duration of clinical disease prior to euthanasia on humane grounds is around 6 to 18 months.
There is currently no in vivo diagnostic test: definitive diagnosis requires neuropathological examination.
A variety of treatment regimes have been proposed, but there is no reliable evidence to suggest that any of these treatments offer any benefit. Concurrent osteoarthritis will, however, exacerbate the abnormal pelvic limb gait, and treatment with NSAIDs may result in apparent temporary improvement.
Taasisi ya Tiba ya Kulinganisha, Chuo Kikuu cha Glasgow, Uingereza, inatoa maelezo ya msingi ya ugonjwa wa uti wa mgongo wa mbwa, ikiwa ni pamoja na dalili za ugonjwa wa uti wa mgongo na ugonjwa wa neva. Ugonjwa wa mshipa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na maumivu: Ugonjwa wa mshipa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na maumivu: Ugonjwa wa mshipa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na maumivu: Ugonjwa wa mshipa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na maumivu: Ugonjwa wa mshipa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na maumivu ya mshipa wa mgongo: Ugonjwa wa mshipa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na ugonjwa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na ugonjwa wa mgongo. Ugonjwa wa CSF ni dhahiri, na ushahidi wa idadi ya chembe nyeupe iliyoinuka, hasa inayojumuisha idadi kubwa ya neutrophils zisizo za degenerate. Hematolojia na biochemistry inaweza kusaidia uvimbe lakini si maalum. Upimaji wa picha wa hali ya juu (mbali na MRI) kwa kawaida ni wa kawaida na myelography ni contraindicated. Prednisolone: kupunguzwa kwa kiasi cha kwanza cha immunosuppressant kwa wiki 2 hadi 4. Ongeza kipimo cha dawa kwa miezi 4 hadi 6. Wagonjwa fulani huhitaji matibabu ya muda mrefu au dawa tofauti. Inaweza kuwa na uwezo wa kujizuia baada ya miezi 12-18. Discospondylitis ni maambukizo ya wakati mmoja ya diski ya intervertebral na ya miili ya vertebral jirani (osteomyelitis ya vertebral). Ugonjwa wa discospondylitis ni wa kawaida zaidi katika mbwa wakubwa wa umri wa kati. Wanaume huathiriwa kwa kawaida kuliko wanawake (kiwango cha 2: 1). Sehemu za kawaida zilizoathiriwa ni vertebrae ya kati ya kifua; C6-C7 na L7-S1. Discospondylitis ni hali ya septic, kwa kawaida kuenea kwa njia ya hematogenous. Inaweza pia kuwa ya sekondari kwa kupenya majeraha, miili ya kigeni, nk. Vifaa vya kuambukiza vinavyopatikana kwa kawaida ni Staphylococci zenye coagulase-positive, spishi za Streptococcus, Brucella canis na E. coli. Mara nyingi dalili hizo hazikuwa dhahiri katika hatua za mapema. Kwa kawaida, maumivu ya uti wa mgongo yanapatikana, wakati dalili za mfumo (homa, kupoteza uzito) zinaripotiwa katika 30% tu ya kesi. Kadiri ugonjwa huo unavyoendelea, ndivyo ugonjwa huo unavyoweza kusababisha kupanuka au kuondolewa kwa diski. Kwa kawaida leukocytosis haipatikani. Uchunguzi wa CSF mara nyingi ni wa kawaida. Utafiti wa damu na mkojo uliripotiwa kuwa chanya katika asilimia 45 hadi 75 na asilimia 25 hadi 50 ya kesi. Brucella titers inapaswa kupatikana katika wanyama intact katika mikoa ya endemic. Ugonjwa wa discospondylitis huonekana mara nyingi baada ya miezi mitatu. Uchunguzi wa magnetic resonance imaging ndio utaratibu unaochaguliwa wa kuchunguza ugonjwa huo. Matibabu ya discospondylitis ni ya muda mrefu (miezi miwili hadi minne) na kurudia ni jambo la kawaida. Matibabu ya empirical inaweza kuanzishwa baada ya sampuli zote (mkojo, damu, diski aspirate) zimechukuliwa kwa ajili ya utamaduni na unyeti. Pumziko katika ngome ni muhimu ili kupunguza hatari ya kuvunjika kwa mifupa. Analgesia inapaswa kutolewa. Ugonjwa wa intervertebral disc ni moja ya sababu za magonjwa ya neva ya mbwa, na inahesabu zaidi ya 2% ya magonjwa yote yaliyogunduliwa kwa mbwa. Wagonjwa walioathiriwa kwa kawaida huonyesha dalili za maumivu au viwango tofauti-tofauti vya kutofanya kazi kwa uti wa mgongo. Ugonjwa wa diski katika mbwa uliorodheshwa kwanza na Hansen kama: Aina ya I, ambapo herniation ya nucleus pulposus hutokea kupitia nyuzi za diski ya mviringo ndani ya mfereji wa uti wa mgongo; na Aina ya II, ambapo protrusion ya mviringo ndani ya mfereji wa uti wa mgongo husababishwa na kuhamishwa kwa nyenzo ya nucleus pulposus. Ugonjwa wa aina ya I na aina ya II wa diski ya Hansen daima huandaliwa na uharibifu wa diski. Aina ya tatu ya kutolewa kwa diski, kutolewa kwa diski kwa sababu ya majeraha, yaweza pia kutokea. Hii hutokea wakati trauma husababisha kuvunjika kwa diski ambayo haionyeshi mabadiliko ya wazi ya mapema, na kusababisha uharibifu wa uti wa mgongo bila au chini ya compression ya mabaki. Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE) ni ugonjwa wa damu ya mshipa wa mgongo unaosababishwa na ischemia ya mshipa wa mgongo, ambayo ni mtiririko wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mgongo na mshipa wa mshipa wa mgongo. FCE mara nyingi hutokea kwa kushirikiana na mazoezi ya nguvu au majeraha ya upole (60% katika utafiti mmoja). FCE hutokea katika jinsia zote mbili za mbwa wazima, lakini inaweza kutokea mapema kama miezi michache ya umri. FCE hutokea karibu tu katika jamii zisizo za chondrodystrophoid na hasa katika jamii za kati na kubwa. Hata hivyo, inaonekana kuna asili ya uzazi kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya FCE katika Schnauzers miniature. Katika jamii zisizo kubwa, 80% ya visa hutokea kati ya umri wa miaka 3 na 6. Kuanza kwa FCE ni kwa kawaida peracute na inaweza kuhusishwa na kipindi kifupi cha maumivu, lakini baada ya hapo ugonjwa ni non-progressive na painless. Inaweza kutokea katika eneo lolote la uti wa mgongo, lakini inaonekana kuwa ya kawaida katika sehemu za shingo na thoracolumbar, hasa sehemu za shingo na lumbar. Kwa kawaida kasoro za neva hazifanani. Utambuzi unategemea historia sahihi na ishara bila ushahidi wa mfinyanzi wa uti wa mgongo. MRI ni njia muhimu zaidi ya upimaji wa picha kwa kufanya utambuzi wa ante mortem wa FCE na kipengele cha kwanza cha upimaji ni hyperintensity asymmetrical ndani ya uti wa mgongo kwenye picha za T2 zilizozidiwa. Matibabu na Matokeo Matibabu ni kwa huduma ya uuguzi na kuanzishwa mapema kwa tiba ya mwili ni muhimu sana. Kwa kuwa hakuna mkusanyiko wa uti wa mgongo, hakuna haja ya upasuaji wa kuondoa mkusanyiko au mapumziko ya kifungo, na kwa hivyo tiba ya mwili inaweza kuanza mara tu utambuzi utakapothibitishwa. Lumbosacral syndrome ni ugonjwa unaosababisha kuambukizwa kwa sehemu ya nyuma ya mgongo (L4 - L7) na sehemu ya nyuma ya mgongo (L4 - L7) na mishipa ya neva inayotolewa na sehemu hizi za mgongo zinazofanyiza cauda equina. Mishipa ya mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa. Lumbosacral syndrome (LMS) ni ugonjwa wa misuli ya mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa wa mshipa. Lumbosacral stenosis ni kutokana na stenosis ya mfereji wa vertebral katika ngazi ya lumbosacral junction na matokeo ya compression ya mizizi ya neva. Katika visa fulani, stenosis inaweza kuwa lateralized na kuathiri tu moja intervertebral foramen. Lumbosacral stenosis ni ugonjwa wa kuambukizwa kwa aina ya II ya Hansen, ambayo ni ugonjwa wa kuambukizwa kwa aina ya II ya lumbosacral. Hali hiyo ni ya kawaida zaidi katika mbwa wa jamii kubwa, mara nyingi mbwa wa kazi. Ugonjwa huo hutokea kwa mbwa wa umri wa kati, na kuongezeka kwa matukio katika mbwa wa kiume (na uwiano wa kiume kwa mwanamke wa 4: 1). Mbwa wa mchungaji wa Ujerumani, mbwa wa ndondi na Rottweilers wanawakilishwa kupita kiasi. Mbwa walioathirika huonyesha moja au zaidi ya sifa za ugonjwa wa lumbosacral, na maumivu katika eneo la lumbosacral (haswa wakati wa palpation na lumbosacral hyperextension) kuwa moja ya dalili za kliniki thabiti. Majeraha ya uti wa mgongo ni kisababishi cha kawaida cha dysfunction uti wa mgongo na ni pamoja na sababu endogenous na exogenous. Mara nyingi sababu za nje ni za sekondari kwa aksidenti ya barabarani au kuanguka kutoka juu. Mifupa ya mgongo inaweza kugawanywa katika sehemu tatu za anatomical: Ventral: Ventral longitudinal ligament, sehemu ya ventral ya annulus fibrosus na mwili wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo wa mviringo. Lengo la matibabu ya majeraha ya uti wa mgongo ni: 1) kuzuia uharibifu zaidi wa mitambo kwa uti wa mgongo; na 2) kutibu au kuzuia matukio ya pili ya pathophysiological. Uchaguzi wa matibabu (ya kihafidhina au ya upasuaji) hutegemea ukali wa uharibifu (haswa idadi ya compartments vertebral kushiriki), fedha ya mmiliki, mtaalamu wa upasuaji na upendeleo. Neoplasia ya uti wa mgongo ni ya kawaida kwa mbwa na paka, na dalili halisi za kliniki hutegemea eneo la uharibifu, kwa heshima ya kiwango cha uti wa mgongo ulioathiriwa (kwa mfano, cervix dhidi ya lumbar caudal). Neoplasia ya uti wa mgongo ni classified wote kuhusiana na eneo la kimwili kuhusiana na meninges na uti wa mgongo (katika extradural, intradural lakini extramedullary na intramedullary). Uharibifu wa vertebral (Atlant-Axial Subluxation, Hemivertebrae) - Uharibifu wa vertebral (Atlant-Axial Subluxation, Hemivertebrae) ni hatari kubwa kwa sababu ya kushindwa kwa maendeleo ya vichaka (aplasia au hypoplasia). Kuanza kwa dalili za kliniki kwa mbwa wenye aina ya kuzaliwa kwa kawaida hutokea kwa wanyama wachanga, ingawa tatizo linaweza kutokea katika umri wowote, hasa baada ya majeraha madogo. Dalili za kliniki ni zile zinazohusiana na mfadhaiko wa uti wa mgongo wa shingo: maumivu, ataxia na / au paresis ya neuron ya juu ya motor. Malformations ya vertebral mwili na diski: Wengi wa malformations haya ni matokeo ya tukio na si kusababisha kasoro yoyote ya neva, hata hivyo katika baadhi ya kesi, mfereji wa uti wa mgongo inaweza kuwa na kiasi kikubwa cha kupunguzwa, kusababisha compression ya uti wa mgongo. Malformations ya vertebral Arch na spinal cord kufungwa kukamilika kwa vertebral arch. Ni kawaida taarifa katika Kiingereza bulldogs na inaweza kusababisha paraparesis na mkojo na fecal incontinence. Syringomyelia ya kuzaliwa na Dysraphism ya uti wa mgongo (Myelodysplasia) Malformations ya uti wa mgongo zimeelezwa katika Weimaraner na jamii nyingine za mbwa. Inaripotiwa katika paka wa Manx pamoja na pugs na bulldogs. Dalili za kliniki ni pamoja na paraparesis na kukosa uwezo wa kuondoa mkojo au chafya. Radiculomyelopathy ya degenerative ya muda mrefu (CDMR) ni ugonjwa wa neva unaosababisha ataxia ya hatua ya pelvic na paresis katika mbwa wa zamani wa jamii kubwa, hasa mbwa wa mchungaji wa Ujerumani. Madhara ya msingi hayajulikani, lakini yaelekea kuwa na msingi wa maumbile. Mbwa walioathirika kwa ujumla ni zaidi ya miaka sita na umri wa wastani wa mwanzo ni karibu miaka tisa. Kimsingi, mbwa huonyesha maendeleo ya hatua kwa hatua ya ataxia ya kwanza ya viungo vya pelvic. Kasoro za neva ni za pande mbili na kwa kawaida ni sawa (ingawa kutofanana kwa kiasi kidogo si jambo lisilo la kawaida). Uharibifu ni kuenea na kwa hiyo hakuna ishara focal localising, kama vile maumivu focal au cutaneous trunci reflex cut-off. Kwa sababu ya kuathiriwa kwa mizizi ya mgongo, reflex ya patellar hupungua au kupotea katika takriban 25% ya kesi. Ugonjwa wa kliniki kabla ya euthanasia kwa sababu za kibinadamu ni karibu miezi 6 hadi 18. Kwa sasa hakuna in vivo mtihani wa utambuzi: utambuzi wa mwisho inahitaji uchunguzi neuropathological. Kuna aina mbalimbali za matibabu ambayo yamependekezwa, lakini hakuna ushahidi wa kuaminika unaoonyesha kwamba matibabu hayo yanatoa faida yoyote. Hata hivyo, ugonjwa wa viungo vya mgongo unaosababishwa na ugonjwa huo utazidisha mwendo usio wa kawaida wa viungo vya mgongo, na matibabu ya NSAIDs yanaweza kusababisha uboreshaji wa muda mfupi.