Dogs are beloved pets to millions of people across the nation and we treat them as if they are part of the family. That being said, dogs have health problems just like humans do and we go to any lengths to heal them when problems arise. Spinal injuries are a common problem dogs can endure due to diseases or injury. Just as with humans, spinal injuries can be extremely painful and neglecting the problem can actually make the situation worse. Prolonging treatment can lead to severe issues such as loss of walking, loss of bladder control and paralysis. For this reason there are surgeries available to relieve fix spinal problems on dogs. Yet it will come as no surprise that there are benefits and risks when choosing to have your dog undergo spinal surgery.
First off there are certainly a lot of benefits to dog spinal surgery. The most important and seemingly obvious one is pain relief. Many dogs have had much relief from dog spinal surgery and have since gone on to leading healthy and active lives. Another obvious benefit is that the problem can be stopped to prevent further damage. Even if there is irreparable damage there is still a chance that surgery can provide some relief and prevent further damage. A prolonged life span is a final and important benefit to keep in mind.
At any rate there are risks with surgery such as infection and anesthesia complications like seizures. It is also possible that after surgery the problem may still exist to some degree. Since the spine is such a sensitive area there is no guarantee that the issue will go away. In fact, many dogs still have lingering damage in the spine. Finally there is also the potential for the problem to worsen post-surgery because of the body’s resistance to the surgery.
In the end there are many things to consider when choosing dog spinal surgery. It is best to speak with a veterinarian and a specialist and have them discuss these benefits and risks with you in relation to your dog and your specific situation.