Slipped Disk in the Neck (Cervical Intervertebral Disk Disease)
What is cervical intervertebral disk disease?
An intervertebral disk is a cushioning "spacer" found
between two adjoining backbones (vertebrae or spinal bones). It
acts as a "shock absorber" for the spine. Dogs and cats
have six intervertebral disks in their 
necks.
Cervical (neck) intervertebral disk disease is the result of age-related
changes (degeneration) within these disks. This degeneration can
result in the disk pushing (protrusion or extrusion) into the
spinal canal. The abnormal location of the disk material leads
to pressure (compression) on the spinal cord. This pressure causes
injury to the nervous tissue.
What causes cervical intervertebral disk disease?
With age, intervertebral disks degenerate, and flexibility is lost. The loss of flexibility causes the disk to lose its ability to act as a shock absorber, and in some cases, it eventually pushes into the spinal canal. Pressure on the spinal cord can result in pain and loss of spinal cord function. Some breeds (chondrodystrophic breeds), such as the dachshund, beagle, or Pekingese, are prone to early degeneration of the intervertebral disks. Obesity increases the risk of intervertebral disk disease.
What are signs of cervical intervertebral disk disease?
The signs of cervical intervertebral disk disease vary, depending on the location of the slipped disk (in other words, which disk has slipped) and how much damage has occurred in the spinal cord or nerves. The most prominent complaint is neck pain, which can be worse when the dog is picked up or the neck is manipulated. An animal's unwillingness to move his head from side-to-side or up and down is common. Weakness and stumbling on all four limbs (sometimes worse on one side) may occur when significant spinal cord injury is present. If the disk presses on a nerve in the lower neck region, the animal may appear lame in one forelimb, and may hold the limb off the ground. Damage to the spinal cord in the lower neck may result in muscle wasting over the shoulder or forelimb muscles. If the injury to the spinal cord is severe enough, paralysis of all four limbs may occur, but that is uncommon.
How is cervical intervertebral disk disease diagnosed?
The veterinarian may suspect cervical intervertebral disk disease after examination. Radiographs (X-rays) and a special radiographic procedure called a myelogram confirm the presence and location of the slipped disk(s). In addition, the number of affected disks and the severity of disease will be determined. A myelogram is performed with the animal under general anesthesia. A radiographically visible dye material is injected next to the spinal cord to highlight and outline the spinal cord, which allows the veterinarian to accurately diagnose the intervertebral disk disease and to determine the best treatment.
How is cervical intervertebral disk disease treated?
The treatment for cervical intervertebral disk disease depends on the severity of clinical signs and how frequently the dog has neck problems. If the dog goes to the veterinarian during the first episode of neck pain, medical treatment generally is recommended. Rest and strict confinement are the keys to treatment, although medications may be prescribed to help reduce discomfort and the swelling of the spinal cord. If the animal has recurrent bouts of neck pain, or has severe weakness or paralysis of the limbs, surgery is recommended.
What is the prognosis for animals with intervertebral disk disease?
Many animals treated conservatively with rest, strict confinement, and medications have recurrences of clinical signs and ultimately require surgery. The prognosis for most animals treated surgically, especially when there is no complete paralysis, is good to excellent. Recurrence is less common following surgical treatment.
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