INTERVERTEBRAL DISC SYNDROME

Anatomy:

A dog's spine is composed of seven cervical or neck bones, 13 thoracic or torso bones, and seven lumbar vertebrae. There are related structures of tiny muscles, tendons and ligaments associated with these vertebrae. The little round cushion like structure between the vertebrae is called a disc (or sometimes spelled disk). The disc is composed of an outside round fibrotic ring surrounding an eccentrically located soft nucleus pulposus within. The function of the disc is to act like a shock absorber and distributor of pressure in trauma to prevent damage to vertebra to each side of it and the spinal cord and spinal nerves next to it. When the shock is too great, or if there is accelerated degeneration to the disc in which only normal movement of the spine will cause the disc to rupture, the spilling of the nucleus pulposis outward will cause pressure on the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves. This protrusion may be of a single disc or multiple discs anywhere along the spine. It may be partial protrusion or full-blown extrusion type.

Symptoms and Prognosis:

At first there is great pain, muscle spasm and the animal is reluctant to move. If in the cervicals, the most common are the cervicals second and third that produce great pain to the neck muscles (to moving the head up or down or sideways,) and skin. Protrusions of the 5th and 6th cervicals, or 7th cervical and first thoracic discs, the animal may show unilateral or bilateral front leg lameness (knuckling). If in the thoracolumbar region, there is severe back pain, reluctance to walk up steps or jump from a chair. In time if not corrected these animals will retain urine with resultant bloody cystitis and feces due to the pain.
As protrusion increases the signs worsen and the disc protrusion now applies pressure to the spinal cord and or spinal nerves with motor impairment, at first stiff gait or beginning spastic weakness (paresis) to finally paralysis.
Summary of symptoms and prognosis from severe to slight:

Severe Extrusion, grave prognosis:

1. Flaccid paralysis and complete lack of reflexes
2. Positive gastrocnemius tendon reflex
3.Crossed extensor reflex
4. Hyperactive patellar reflex

Extrusion, fair prognosis
Animal will walk if given sufficient time and if no hyper reflexes are demonstrated.

5. Loss of pain sensation,
6. Complete motor paralysis

Protrusion, good prognosis if lesion is stopped at this stage.

7. Spastic motor paresis (weakness)
8. Stiff gait
9. Constant lumbar pain
10. Reluctance to walk up steps

Breed predilection:

Although disc protrusion can occur in any breed, the most common occur in chondrodystrophy breeds = breeds who exhibit accelerated degeneration of the discs; these breeds are Dachshund, French Bulldog, Pekingese and Miniature Poodles. In another words, you may have a 3 year old Dachsie but he has a 10 year old spine.

Orthodox treatment:

1. Evaluation of neurological signs to determine the degree of spinal pressure and if disc is only pressing (protrusion) or if the fibrous annular ring has broken with resultant explosive force (extrusion) into the spinal canal causing concussion of the spinal cord with varying degrees of cord damage resulting.

2. In protrusion cases, cage rest (14-21 days), and use of hypnotics are used to buy time for tissue injury to repair. During this time the urinary bladder is emptied twice daily and urinary antibiotics and acidifiers are given.

3. In severe extrusion cases the treatment of choice is hemilaminectomy surgery, localization of lesion determined by X-rays. The surgery removes the upper half of the disc and disc fragments with resultant dorsal decompression of the cord. Best results if done within first 24 hours onset before irreversible damage has occurred. At the same time of surgery, many doctors will fenestrate (remove the central nucleus palposus) other disc areas commonly known to be potentially affected, to prevent future protrusions.

4. Administration of corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisilone, cortisone, depo- medral and vetalog) are contraindicated in early cases where there is pressure but not complete disc extrusion. Steroids are a two-edged sword: on the one hand it can reduce inflammation to surrounding spine and nerves and alleviate pain, but on the other hand, being pain- free the animal becomes active which increases motor movement resulting in an extrusion of the disc(s) with much more serious consequences.

Comment is made in the literature that ultimately 85% will recover despite what therapy is used. I think this is pretty optimistic a percentage, but it is true some animals do recover in spite of the treatment rather than the treatment used, however so many "recoveries" go on to future "flare-ups" which are other degenerated disc protrusions laying dormant in the spine. Many times there is an accompanying calcification of the discs involved. Calcium is attracted to areas of inflammation. These calcium deposits act like little needles rubbing against the localized spinal nerves causing much pain in itself. I have found a higher percentage of recoveries, and in less time (hence reduction of calcification) with energy medicine.

ENERGY MEDICINE:

For the past 25 years I have been acutely aware that Life exists on two levels: the physical and the electromagnetic energy level.

Changes that lead to pathology occur first in the electromagnetic fields level (EMF) of the body, before filtering down into the physical. Here is where we need to exert the process of healing, not to the physical alone. Along with cage rest, I recommend:

1. Acupuncture Therapy: In intervertebral disc syndrome there is an imbalance in the Degenerative vs. Regenerative forces of the Chi flows down the back. In the disc protrusion areas the Chi is blocked. Acupuncture therapy is essential to balance and unblock these energy flows. IVAS is a national directory of veterinarians who practice acupuncture. You can call 970-266-066 or email ivasoffice @aol.com for locating a doctor near you. If none are in your area, my Healing Halter worn by your dog acts like a needless acupuncture therapy and has brought many cases of true healing.

2. Homeopathy remedies: my Intervertebral Disc Formula 100 C works at the EMF level of disturbance and potentiates acupuncture therapy /Healing Halter affects. Quartz Crystal Mandala Chargers 1, inch, 3 inch and 6 inch - to be placed locally on the disc area and location of pain. This releives pain within 20 minutes generally and  strengthens and balances the energy in the acupuncture flows that are blocked in that area. Homeopathic Male or Female Total Organ Support/Endocrine Balance/Immune Stimulant 100C- an important adjunct to keep all organs and immune system healthy which under stress of pain can be impaired.

Pain Control Support Formula 5M: Indications: for use of reducing extreme nerve and soft tissue pain until the real reason for the pain can be identified. Note: Recommend use with Male or Female total Organ/Endocrine Balance/Immune Support 100C for maximum results. FDA registration number 1300 Ingredients: 5M: Hydrastis Canandensis HPUS; Hypericum Perforatum HPUS; Arnica Montana HPUS; Ruba Tinctorum HPUS; Isode Meperidine Hydrochloride ; Nerve Sarcode; Skin Sarcode

Traction Chart - to pull the spinal vertebral column to open up the I.v. dsc spaces to allow the protruded discs to settle down into their normal location between vertebral bodies".

Musculoskeletal Support 400c

Intervertebral Disc Support Formula 100C

3. Quartz crystal charging of drinking water (bottled spring). The piezo electric EMF of the crystals is passed on to the water molecules, which benefit the animal drinking this charged water.

Supplements:

1.Ester C for speeding repair of physical tissues: give to bowel tolerance:
Small breeds 250 mg. daily.
Medium breeds 500-1000 mg daily

2. Super anti-oxidants (Beta carotene, Vit E and Selenium) to decrease tissue degeneration process: 1 cap daily

3. Aerobic O7- oral oxygen drops: 30 drops twice daily. Healing and repair processes require oxygen. Aerial chemical pollutants are reducing today's atmospheric oxygen.

4. Radical Raiders economic combination of Ester C, Natural Vitamin E all necessary requirements for healing disc,/vertebrae/muscle disturbances

Finally, take hope, even in a permanently hind limb paralysis, you and your beloved pet can enjoy life and freedom with the aid of a custom made cart on wheels, to support his hind legs. Each cart is custom fit to the measurement of the dog. Information can be obtained at K-9 Cart Co., 101 E. King St., Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 or call 215-644-6624.