Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs

Intervertebral disc disease is the most common disease of the spine in dogs and is a main cause of pain and neurologic dysfunction. This article reviews fundamental aspects of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of disc extrusions. Chondroid metaplasia of the nucleus pulposus is the central mechanism of disc degeneration. The clinical presentation varies considerably, depending on the breed, the location of the disc extrusion, and the degree of neurological damage. Advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, have greatly improved diagnosis, with magnetic resonance considered the gold standard. As for treatment, both medical and surgical management are effective options, depending on the degree of neurological damage and the initial response to conservative treatment. This comprehensive analysis underlines the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to optimize the quality of life of patients affected by intervertebral disc disease.