Vertebral Disc Inflammation (Discospondylitis) in Dogs

The spinal column is made up of vertebrae and discs. The vertebrae are the individual bones of the spinal column and the discs act as cushions between the vertebrae.

Discospondylitis is an uncommon, serious condition in dogs that requires long term treatment for resolution. Most cases respond to treatment initially but recurrence is common. Fungal forms of discospondylitis are sometimes unresponsive to antifungal medication.

Dogs with suspected discospondylitis require prompt veterinary attention.

Discospondylitis is more common in dogs with a history of recent spinal surgery or dogs that live lifestyles that are high risk for grass awn foreign bodies

Symptoms vary in severity from mild back pain and exercise intolerance to paralysis in extreme cases. Severe cases result in degeneration of the infected disc which causes compression of the spinal cord. Dogs with spinal cord compression sometimes fail to improve with medical treatment and symptoms occasionally progress to severe incoordination and paralysis.

Discospondylitis involves bacterial or fungal infection of the vertebrae and the disks between them.

Infection leading to vertebral disc inflammation can also be introduced into the body during medical treatments and/or during spinal surgery.

Dogs often have generalized signs of illness such as lethargy, poor appetite, and weight loss in addition to specific symptoms.

Diagnosis involves:

• Physical examination
• Blood work
• Sampling, examination, and culture of spinal fluid (CSF)
• Urine sample
• Biopsy
• Antibody testing for Brucella canis
• X-rays
• CT scan
• MRI scan

Treatment options include:

• Antibiotic or antifungal medication
• Pain relief
• Exercise restriction

Surgery such as:

• Removal of infected tissue including foreign bodies
• Decompression of the spinal cord
• Removal of infected surgical implants
• Neutering dogs with Brucella canis

Discospondylitis is a long term condition which requires extensive treatment to resolve. Most cases respond to antibiotics. Mild cases require 8-12 weeks of antibiotics whereas severe cases sometimes take 12 months of treatment before complete resolution. Cases where treatment is withdrawn too early are likely to recur.Some cases of fungal discospondylitis fail to respond to treatment. Prognosis depends on the extent of the neurological damage and the ability to clear the infection. Mild cases of bacterial discospondylitis carry a fair prognosis whereas patients showing severe dysfunction, or where a fungal agent is isolated, carry a guarded prognosis.

Prevention focuses on avoidance of risk factors and includes:

• Early diagnosis and treatment of symptoms of infection in other body systems
• Dental hygiene practices such as tooth brushing, dental diets, dental chews, and regular professional cleaning as recommended by a veterinarian
• Neutering of dogs with Brucella canis
• Appropriate use of antibiotics during spinal surgery
• Regular grooming, and close monitoring for symptoms of penetration, ingestion, or inhalation of grass awns in at-risk dogs

Discospondylitis is uncommon in dogs.

• Antibiotic or antifungal medication
• Pain relief
• Exercise restriction
• Surgery