Sometimes surgical treatment may be necessary for a number of dog back problems, especially if they are congenital or if the back problem is a result of an injury or disease. Just as some dog health problems do not necessitate surgery, other problems have no other alternative.
Factors to Consider Before Surgery
- Can this back problem be resolved using alternative methods, such as medications, massage or acupuncture?
- Is the dog too old or unhealthy to survive surgery?
- Can the use of a brace, sling or dog harness "cure" this back problem?
- If the answer to all of the above questions is no, then surgery is the only treatment available, providing it improves the dog's quality of life.
Back Problems that May Require Surgery
- Birth defects, diseases or injuries that impede nerve stimulus from reaching the proper muscles in the legs
- Arthritis or bone joint disease that is not responding to medications
- Tumors pressing against the spinal cord resulting in partial or complete paralysis
- Injuries that have resulted in broken bones or fractures in the vertebrae
- It is best to "shop" around for the best surgical veterinarian you can find and afford. Be aware that there is a recovery process after surgery that requires patience and time.