Managing spinal cord compression in dogs — from early recognition to surgical and supportive care.
Spinal cord compression causes severe welfare impairment through pain, paralysis, and loss of normal bodily function. Acute disc extrusion causes sudden-onset paralysis that is profoundly distressing — dogs that were walking normally are suddenly unable to use their hindlimbs. The vocalisations of acute spinal pain, the confusion of sudden paralysis, and the inability to toilet normally create extreme welfare distress.
Bladder management is a critical and often underemphasised welfare concern. Paraplegic dogs cannot voluntarily empty their bladder — manual bladder expression or urinary catheterisation must be performed multiple times daily. Without adequate bladder management, urinary retention causes bladder damage, urinary tract infection, and significant discomfort. Teaching owners to express the bladder effectively is essential.
Emergency surgical decompression within 24-48 hours of acute disc extrusion provides the best recovery prospects. Dogs treated surgically within this window have significantly higher rates of regaining function than those managed medically alone. Even dogs that do not regain hindlimb function can live fulfilling lives with appropriate management and care.