Spondolosis Anyone??????

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BXR RYD

Boxer Booster
My Cooper has a knee problem and needs a TPLO surgery, so we went to the Orthopedic surgeon on Friday for a consult and x-rays.
After examing Cooper he felt there was another issue and decided to take a spinal x-ray as well as a knee x-ray.
The spinal x-ray showed SEVERE Spondolosis which is where his pain may be coming from and recommended a visit to a Neuorologist.
In the mean time on my way out of town Friday I stopped at his regular vet to have them view the x-ray and they said the same thing.....SEVERE Spondolosis. Basically his back is fused all together.
I have not been able to find any info on this and need my BW family to help me out, I did a search and only got one thread on it.

Anyone know about this?????
Is there another name for it that I am missing???

Please help
 
PuddinHead

PuddinHead

Boxer Buddy
Spondylosis is the term used to describe the usual cause of accumulation of new bone (calcium
deposits) around the spinal vertebrae. Usually, this condition does not cause discernible pain or
disability. I hope this is helpful. I hope everything works out.

Zeke, 8/3/04 Flashy Fawn, Male
 
T

ToriFan

Boxer Buddy
Hey Kodie! Part of the problem on your search is I believe it is spelled with a y. My 3.5 year old male boxer was just diagnosed recently with spondylosis. Jan (who responded previously) provided some interesting information to me in the previous threads.

So Lars has complete bridging of T12 and T13 and incomplete bridging of T11 and T12. We were put on Rimadyl and Robaxin and to watch his jumping in particular the down part of jumping. Spondylosis isn't reversible as you know, but the pain can be managed with meds, rest, acupuncture, massage and water therapy. I think there's also surgery, but I haven't looked into it as I believe it wouldn't be called for in our case (yet). If you are like us, you might be able to tell when your boxer isn't feeling well. Lars will get a hunched (tight) look in his back and be walking very delicately. Due to some stomach issues, he isn't taking the drugs every day, but rather I let him tell me when it is rest time and medication time. I was overwhelmed with the news of this condition, but I've made some peace with it. The not jumping around acting like an idiot part is hard to control when he is feeling good. lol But, an injury to a dog's back with spondylosis could result in paresis (incomplete paralysis effecting motion but not sensation) so moderate exercise is important.

You will see on the threads that I have used some frogen vegetable bags on his back. I hear be cautious with that as we can burn their skin. Also, my massage therapist friend told me when it comes to massage that well-intentioned touch is important. So if your dog lets you massage the area, think positive healing thoughts and send them through your fingers. New-agey stuff, but hey, can't hurt.

Let me know if I can help further.

Amy
 
M

Mollie_T

Banned
I have Spondyloslathesis, from a human standpoint it is both painful & debilitating. I have 2 options, epidurals along with pain meds for the rest of my life or major surgery. I'm afraid the aforementioned is just postponing the surgery... It's basically the same as the Spondylolysis, but more severe. I looked this up for you, maybe it will help:

spondylolysis is a disorder that narrows the spinal canal, compressing the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. It's a fracture or defect in the pars anticulars (a portion of the bone between each of the joints of the back), allowing one vertebral body to slide forward on the next. Spondylolyosis is sometimes referred to as pars interarticularis defect. It may be unilateral or bilateral and is usually due to a developmental defect but may be secondary to a fracture. Spondylolysis affects the area of the vertebra called the pedicle. The pedicle is part of the bony ring that protects the spinal nerves, and is the portion that connects the vertebral body to the facet joints. It's a disease that often times affects those with degenerative discs and vertebrae. When a spondylolysis is present, the back part of the vertebra and the facet joints simply are not connected to the body, except by soft tissue.
 
B

BXR RYD

Boxer Booster
Thanks for the replies....
We will be seeing the Neuro in the next few weeks.
His whole spine is "bridged" and we are looking at options now, he has been on the Rimadyl and now on Deramaxx for what we thought was knee pain as he does need a knee surgery also.
I feel bad for him as he does not do a lot of the things he use to like jump on the bed or in the car...I have to help him. He'd rather lay on a dog bed in front of the fan..he is happy there. Seems like getting him outside to potty is becoming a chore as well.

I will keep you posted.
 
Kate Rowles

Kate Rowles

Boxer Buddy
I had just logged on to Boxerworld to post a question about Spondylosis and spotted yours!

My 3 year boxer boy Bart has been really under the weather lately and has been tested for various things including Hypothyroidism, Cushings & Addisons Disease. Last week I took him into the vets for tests and the Vet x-rayed him and also discovered Spondylosis. Anyway, it appears he is Hypothyroid and until the vet is happy he has this under control he is unable to treat the Spondylosis. He has another blood test due in 10 days time, then I hope we can start on some sort of treatment.

So I was about to ask: anyone know anything about it? I would really like for us to keep in touch, share ideas etc. Would you be happy to do that?

I can't believe the change in my boy. I know the Thyroid is slowing him down but he used to run & jump 'for England' & I wonder if he'll ever return?
 
T

ToriFan

Boxer Buddy
Hey Kate! I've posted in this thread and I posted last week about the spondylosis. I also have a 3 year old male boxer named Lars dx with spondylosis. Did the vet tell you which vertabrae are involved? As far as I am concerned, I wish Lars would stop jumping because he can injure his back. Anyway, do a search here. I found several posts about it plus Jan provided me some information last week in one of the threads. This has been a good week for Lars and his back. I've been feeling like Lars is so young for this, you know. Plus, we've got a 6 month old boxer girl and she makes him do to much sometimes. lol

Take care and keep me posted.

Amy
 
Kate Rowles

Kate Rowles

Boxer Buddy
Hi Amy
Thanks for your response. I feel exactly the same ~ 3 years old is too young for this...

I saw the x-ray & it looks like 3/4 vertebrae in Bart's lower back are affected. I haven't had a chance to speak to the vet at length about it yet as we have been so preoccupied with his other problems. Hopefully I'll know more when we return to the vets in 10 days. In the meantime I'm just letting him do what he wants & if that means snuggling in the beds thats fine by me.

Anyway if you'd like to send me a private message maybe we could stay in touch once this post is closed, together with anyone else who would like to do the same???
Kate
 
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