Companion Animals

Spondylosis in Dogs: Welfare and Pain Management

Managing vertebral osteophyte formation in older dogs to maintain mobility and quality of life.

Key Facts

Spondylosis deformans is common in older dogs — particularly German Shepherds and Boxers
Vertebral osteophytes develop at disc margins — often without clinical signs
When symptomatic, causes stiffness, reluctance to move, and pain on spinal palpation
Multimodal analgesia and physiotherapy manage most cases effectively

Welfare Considerations

Spondylosis causes chronic welfare compromise through spinal pain and stiffness — often dismissed as normal ageing. Welfare-focused management investigates spinal pain in older dogs with appropriate imaging, initiates multimodal analgesia including NSAIDs and gabapentin, and incorporates physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Most dogs with spondylosis maintain good quality of life with appropriate management.

What You Can Do

Investigate stiffness and reluctance to exercise in older dogs — do not accept this as inevitable ageing
Ask your vet about multimodal analgesia for dogs with spondylosis-related pain
Consider hydrotherapy — water supports weight and allows exercise without joint loading