How can imaging revolutionise spinal care in dogs? A new veterinary review outlines the diagnostic value of CT, MRI, and X-rays in managing degenerative spinal disease.
A recent veterinary review by HADŽIJUNUZOVIĆ-ALAGIĆ & Hadžimusić (2024) published in the Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca highlights the central role of advanced imaging in diagnosing degenerative spinal diseases in dogs.
Conditions such as Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IVDD), Degenerative Myelopathy, and Lumbosacral Stenosis pose serious threats to mobility, comfort, and quality of life in aging or predisposed canines. These diseases are often breed-, age-, or sex-linked and can be difficult to diagnose early without precise imaging.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) remains the gold standard due to its ability to visualise both bone and soft tissues in high resolution. Meanwhile, CT scans offer excellent detail on bony structures, aiding in surgical planning or the evaluation of fractures and disc collapse. X-rays still serve as the first diagnostic tool in many cases, useful for initial screening and structural assessment.
The authors emphasise the need for a tailored diagnostic approach depending on the clinical case, as well as the importance of early and multi-modal imaging to guide treatment strategies. Additionally, the article points to the translational potential of this research, as canine spinal studies could inform similar diagnostic strategies in human medicine, particularly in geriatrics and neurodegenerative fields.
Diagnostic Imaging in the Degenerative Diseases of the Spine in Dogs.
Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Animal Science and Biotechnologies, November 15, 2024.
