Table of Contents
Is Discospondylitis curable in dogs?
Bacterial discospondylitis often carries a good prognosis. Most cases will resolve with early and aggressive treatment, although 6–12 months of antibiotics may be required, and relapses can occur. Brucellosis infection cannot be completely cured but can often be successfully managed with long-term antibiotics.
How is Discospondylitis treated?
The treatment of discospondylitis consists of antibiotics, pain medications, and cage rest. Long-term antimicrobial drug therapy must be instituted, ideally for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. In some cases, treatment may need to be extended by many months.
Is Discospondylitis fatal?
On rare occasions discospondylitis is caused by a fungal infection. This is seen most often in German shepherd dogs where the disc spaces are infected as part of a disease process that affects multiple organs and is usually fatal.
Is Discospondylitis contagious to other dogs?
Surgery is usually done for animals with severe neurologic prob- lems or pain that does respond to treatment. Dogs that are positive for brucellosis present a dilemma with regard to treatment, because they may be contagious to other dogs and people. Contact your physician if there is a risk of human infection .
How does a dog get Discospondylitis?
It is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection; however, fungal discospondylitis can occur. It occurs most frequently in young to middle-aged male large-breed dogs, such as German Shepherds and Rottweilers. Dogs that are not neutered and develop infection of the prostate are predisposed to discospondylitis.
What is the difference between arthritis and spondylosis?
Spondylosis describes the general degeneration of the spine that can occur in joints, discs, and bones of the spine as we age. “Arthritis” is an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that cause painful joints, and in the case of spondylosis, the spine is full of joints that can be affected.
Is Discospondylitis contagious to humans?
Staphylococcus species (Staph bacteria) are commonly respon- sible. Brucellosis causes the infection in a small percentage of dogs, especially breeding dogs. Brucellosis is also contagious to humans.
Can a spondylolysis heal?
How long does it take to recover from Spondylolysis? These stress fractures often heal in about 6-12 weeks with proper rest, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, and physical therapy. Healing time varies between individuals based on their overall health.