Lumbosacral stenosis causes compression of spinal nerves at the base of the spine in dogs, with welfare implications from chronic pain, altered hindlimb function, and urinary and fecal incontinence.
Dogs with lumbosacral stenosis experience chronic neuropathic pain from compressed nerve roots that alters their behavior and quality of life. The pain worsens with activity and tail raising, causing affected dogs to avoid normal activities they previously enjoyed. Neurological deficits including hindlimb weakness, knuckling, and urinary or fecal incontinence that develop with disease progression have significant welfare implications. Urinary incontinence causes skin irritation and requires management that affects the dog's dignity and cleanliness. Self-mutilation of the tail and paws from neuropathic pain in severe cases causes self-inflicted trauma that compounds the welfare burden.