A 14-MONTH-OLD intact male Doberman pinscher-mix was presented to Texas A&M University's Texas Veterinary Medical Center (TVMC)
for evaluation of chronic spinal pain and lameness. The dog had been adopted as a stray eight months previously. The owner
stated that the dog had exhibited intermittent, mild spinal pain that had progressively increased in intensity and frequency
since adoption.
First presentation
Vital Stats
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Pain was elicited on palpation of the lumbosacral region. Findings from the remainder of the physical examination and a neurologic
examination were unremarkable. No abnormalities were found on radiographic examination of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral
vertebrae, and we tentatively diagnosed lumbosacral stenosis. The owner declined additional diagnostic testing and elected
conservative treatment, consisting of one month of strict cage rest and a tapering dose of oral prednisone: 2 mg/kg orally
twice a day for three consecutive days, then once a day for three consecutive days, then every other day for three more doses.
The dog's clinical signs improved within days of our initiating this treatment regimen, but recurred about three weeks into
the course of treatment.
Second presentation
The dog was presented to the TVMC four months after the initial visit for reevaluation. Since the previous visit, the owner
reported that the dog had exhibited intense pain when its spine was manipulated. The spinal pain was now continuous, and the
dog was moderately lame in the hindlimbs. Additionally, the animal's activity level had diminished, it had become inappetent,
and the owner reported that the dog had lost weight.
Physical examination and diagnostic tests
On physical examination, the dog was mildly febrile (102.7 F [39.3 C]), thin (body condition score of 1.5 on a scale of 1
to 5), and exhibited weightbearing lameness in both hindlimbs. Intense pain was elicited on palpation of the caudal thoracic,
lumbar, and sacral vertebral column. Conscious proprioception and spinal reflexes were normal in all four limbs. The scrotum
and testicles were normal on palpation. On transrectal palpation, the prostate was unremarkable. Abdominal palpation and thoracic
auscultation revealed no abnormalities. Peripheral lymph nodes were palpably normal. The ocular anterior chamber and fundic
examination findings were normal.
1. A close-up view from a lateral thoracic and lumbar spinal radiograph showing the second and third lumbar vertebrę of an
18-month-old intact male Doberman pinscher-mix evaluated for chronic back pain and lameness. Osteolysis of the vertebral end
plates (black arrows) with spondylosis associated with the intervertebral disk space (arrowheads) is present. There is evidence
of chronic irregularity of the third lumbar articular facet (white arrow).
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Radiographic examination of the thoracic and lumbar spine showed osteolytic disease of the vertebral end plates with spondylosis
associated with the intervertebral disk space at T5-T6 and L2-L3 (Figure 1). Lesser changes were present in the adjacent vertebral end plates at T13-L1, and equivocally at L3-L4 and L4-L5. Evidence
of chronic irregularity of the articular facets was present at L3-L4 and L5-L6. Because of these radiographic findings, we
diagnosed chronic diskospondylitis of the thoracic and lumbar spine with atypical degenerative joint disease of the lumbar
spine.
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