16th October is celebrated as the World Spine Day. Our beloved pets also suffer Spine diseases like we do. They too experience pain of the same magnitude when they suffer from diseases resulting in Spinal pain.
Here we would like to spread awareness about "What to do" when my pet suffers from a Spine Disease.
1. Pick up Early Signs : Like we all say "Prevention is the best Cure". We totally agree you as Pet-parents are the best judge to know that something is not right. We have observed over a period of time that you do pick up some of the clinical signs but it difficult to correlate it with the disease.
Click to view article : Recognizing Early Signs Of Spine Disease.
2. Get Veterinary Help : Once you have noticed any unusual signs the best thing you can do for your pet is getting Veterinary Help.
Aims at Veterinary Clinic :
- Medical attention & stabilization during the "Golden Hours" .
- Identifying & Diagnosing Disease.
- Advanced Imaging Techniques - MRI.
- Advanced Diagnostics.
- Pain Management .
"To assume" is the biggest blunder that one can commit. Progressing Spinal Cord diseases can cause end stage Paraplegia or a Tetraplegia ( Paralysis of the hind or all four legs).
Thus these pets can end up in a vegetative state.
It was previously assumed that a Paraplegia / Paraparesis - (Paralysis of hind limbs/Weakness of hindlimbs) was attributed due to a "Slipped Disc". However as time progressed and with newer researches and advanced imaging techniques like MRI and analysis of Spinal Fluid we are now diagnosing pets with Neoplasms or Tumors / Infection of Spinal Cord / Anomalous deformities / Blood vessel abnormalities / Inflammatory / Auto immune diseases along with the IVDD - Intervertebral Disc Disease or Disc Herniation.
Diagnosing the disease remains of key importance as the therapeutic protocol for each disease remains different and we cannot treat all spinal diseases with the same therapy.
Pain Management remains of prime importance. Pets also feel the pain just like we do. Spine diseases causes Nerve inflammation or Nerve entrapment which gives rise to severe excruciating pain.
3. Cage Rest : Perhaps the most important step which decides if the pet will Recover or NOT !
Just like Humans are advised "Bed Rest". Pets need "CAGE REST"
Cage rest should be considered as a THERAPY while non-surgically managing an injured Spine. Any abnormal movement or activity triggers another series of spinal cord injury and thus aggravating the disease. We agree that pet parents would not like to see their beloved pets in a cage as they find it a bad thing to do. But trust us take it as a THERAPY you would not want your pets injury to have reached a stage beyond repair and your pet remaining paralyzed for life.
4. Nursing : Paralyzed dogs sometimes loose their control over their bladder and bowels. So it is necessary that their bladder is expressed and bowels cleared at regular intervals. This may require Veterinary attention for the initial days. Pets who have been paralyzed can urinate or defecate without their knowledge so this can result in scalds on skin and Bed-Sores. A strong dedication and an everlasting commitment is needed !!
5. Rehabilitation : Pets need Rehabilitation just like we do. Acupuncture & Physiotherapy has been proven of great help to rehabilitate the motor functions and help them recover from their inability to walk. Acupuncture has been scientifically proven to aid in pain management and stimulating motor functions !!
Just like all diseases - Prevention remains the Best Cure.
A healthy lifestyle which includes Regular walks and exercises, well planned diet, weight restriction and giving them lots of love and care .
We at AcuMed Veterinary Specialty strive to provide the best possible Spine care for pets and we would like to share some success stories which included - "Pet Parent Compliance" as the factor that separated them from the rest !
