Intervertebral Disc Herniation in Dogs: The Downside of Hard Work

Back pain is a common problem, not only in people, but also in dogs. As in people, dogs commonly suffer from back and neck pain resulting from bulging intervertebral discs. Especially working dogs, such as police and military dogs, often have accelerated wear-and-tear of intervertebral discs because of the extreme forces exerted on the discs during hard work over longer periods of time.  At the Small Animal Surgery Clinic of the Vetsuisse Faculty, a team of clinical researchers is investigating the problem of disc degeneration in dogs, with the aim of understanding the essential processes underlying intervertebral disc degeneration in dogs, and developing new strategies for treating intervertebral disc disease in dogs. Although dogs are quadrupeds, the movement and loading of the spine is highly similar to the human situation. As such, research into man’s best friend will not only improve the quality of life of canine patients, but also of human patients.

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