Yes! It is one of the commonest neurological diseases in dogs. Once a dog is affected by a pinched nerve, it can either be a transient or a chronic condition. Transient means that the symptoms disappear within a short period of time whereas chronic indicates long-term symptoms. A pinched nerve in dogs may cause abnormal sensations to the limbs and/or muscles which could make your pet extremely uncomfortable and restless during the night as well as the day.
What causes this?
A pinched nerve in dogs occurs when there is pressure on nerves which results from different kinds of injuries such as; trauma, tumors, arthritic conditions or disc herniation. The main culprits responsible for triggering other medical conditions leading to a pinched nerve are obesity, arthritis or degenerative joint disease.
An injured spine is another cause of pinched nerves in dogs. This may lead to muscle weakness, stiffness, pain and discomfort which eventually leads to a pinched nerve in dogs causing altered gaits and poor performance. A ruptured disc that has left the spinal cord exposed could also be one of the causes for this condition. It can also arise due to pressure on the sciatic nerve caused by tumors or fractures of vertebrae.
A pinched nerve in dogs can occur at any age, but it is most common in middle-aged dogs i.e., 5-7 years old. Dogs with no previous history of back problems are more susceptible to this condition than those having a history of a similar condition.
How can this be diagnosed?
The condition is not very hard to diagnose as it presents itself with clear-cut symptoms such as; reluctance to move the hind limbs, dragging of the rear legs and/or an uncoordinated gait which results in falling or tilting of the pet’s body to one side. Other signs could include crying out when picked up or touched, profuse salivation and muscle tremors especially around the head and neck region. Your veterinarian may also conduct a neurological exam on your dog by pinching different areas of its skin and observing how much pain your pet can tolerate before yelping. He may even check for muscle atrophy through manual muscle testing procedures. X-rays, CT-scans and MRIs are also used for gathering relevant information about your dog’s condition.
What can be done?
The most important thing in this case is early diagnosis of the condition which will prevent further damage to the spinal cord. An MRI is considered to be one of the best ways for diagnosing pinched nerves in dogs as it produces high-resolution images that help your vet get an idea about the extent of damage caused by pressure on nerve tissues. Depending on whether there is any further pressure on components of your pet’s nervous system, surgery may or may not be required for removing part of vertebrae which could release some space around the affected area. Medications such as steroidal injections in low dosages are routinely used as a conservative treatment to give relief from pain and inflammation.
The prognosis for pinched nerves in dogs depends on the age of your pet, severity of the condition and anatomical location where it is affected. Dogs who have suffered damage at a young age tend to recover faster than older animals because their bodies are capable of healing themselves better during this period. Thus, even if your dog has been diagnosed with a pinched nerve, you should not lose hope as long as you have sought professional help at an early stage!
Can dogs recover from a pinched nerve?
Yes, but it depends on the dog’s age and severity of the injury.
An injured spine is another cause of pinched nerves in dogs. This may lead to muscle weakness, stiffness, pain and discomfort which eventually leads to a pinched nerve in dogs causing altered gaits and poor performance. A ruptured disc that has left the spinal cord exposed could also be one of the causes for this condition. It can also arise due to pressure on the sciatic nerve caused by tumors or fractures of vertebrae.
How long does a pinched nerve in a dog last?
The condition is not very hard to diagnose as it presents itself with clear-cut symptoms such as; reluctance to move the hind limbs, dragging of the rear legs and/or an uncoordinated gait which results in falling or tilting of the pet’s body to one side. Other signs could include crying out when picked up or touched, profuse salivation and muscle tremors especially around the head and neck region. Your veterinarian may also conduct a neurological exam on your dog by pinching different areas of its skin and observing how much pain your pet can tolerate before yelping. He may even check for muscle atrophy through manual muscle testing procedures. X-rays, CT-scans and MRIs are also used for gathering relevant information about your dog’s condition.
How do I know if my dog has nerve damage?
Your pet may wince in pain and show aggression when touched around the head and neck region. There might be muscle tremor in these areas and your dog wouldn’t be able to pass urine or stool. Your vet could also conduct a neurological exam on your dog by pinching different areas of its skin to check for pain tolerance levels. X-rays, CT-scans and MRIs are also used for gathering relevant information about your dog’s condition.
How is a pinched nerve diagnosed in dogs?
It is important to rule out any underlying medical conditions such as cancer which could increase pressure on nerves leading to permanent damage. X-rays, CT-scans and MRIs are some of the diagnostic tools used for diagnosing pinched nerves.
Treatment options can vary depending on what is causing pressure on your dog’s nerve tissues and how severe the condition is. An early diagnosis would save you both time and money as surgery may not be required in less complicated cases. Some of the conservative treatment options that could help with pinched nerve in dogs are;
A pinched nerve, or sciatica is typically caused due to pressure on the spinal cord by one of its surrounding structures. The presence of free flowing cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord provides protection against injury and compression. When this fluid accumulates between vertebrae which are not properly aligned, it exerts pressure on the nerve roots which extends into the lower back and hip area. This can be caused by structural abnormalities or dislocation of vertebrae leading to arthritis in dogs.
Surgical procedures are also performed to treat this condition in canines. Nerves may be decompressed through laminectomy under general anesthesia so that the nerve roots are no longer under pressure. This is followed by appropriate rehabilitation therapy to help restore function and mobility of the legs.
Surgery is required in cases where there is spinal cord compression due to tumor growth within the vertebrae.
Physical therapy exercises could be used for treating damaged nerves which might consist of; strengthening, stretching and balancing exercises.
Can a pinched nerve fix itself?
Possible complications with this condition could arise if the spinal cord is damaged by further compression. This leads to permanent damage like paralysis and urinary incontinence which usually requires additional surgical measures.
It can take several months for your dog to fully recover through the conservative treatment options mentioned above. It will be helpful if you increase your pet’s mobility and reduce any stress on its back through the use of a dog stroller.
What can be done for a dog with a pinched nerve?
Your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and pain. Muscle relaxants could be prescribed in cases where your dog’s muscles are in spasm.
A pinched nerve can affect your pet’s bladder, bowels or even blood circulation which might require additional treatment measures.
Surgery is an option when the problem becomes chronic with the presence of cancer tumors. A complete recovery with this option is not guaranteed so you would need to weigh out the pros and cons before making a decision.
Lifestyle changes are also recommended for your dog with a pinched nerve to reduce strain on its spine. You could use ramps or steps within your home for example, so that it’s easier for your dog to climb into and out of the car.
How do you massage a dog with a pinched nerve?
Your vet may recommend massage of your dog’s back on a regular basis which can help to reduce stiffness and aid in the recovery process. It is advisable not to do this yourself unless you are trained, especially due to its location near your dog’s spine.
Pinched nerves are more common in older dogs that could be experiencing arthritis or any other health conditions in the lower back area. An early diagnosis of this condition in dogs is important to prescribe effective treatment options and prevent further damage.