Can A Dachshund’S Slip Disc Lead To Seizures

Expert’s answer:

Yes, a Dachshund’s slipped disc can potentially lead to seizures. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a common condition in Dachshunds, where the discs between the vertebrae in the spine degenerate and can cause compression or damage to the spinal cord. This can result in various neurological symptoms, including seizures.

While not all cases of IVDD in Dachshunds will lead to seizures, the condition can affect the spinal cord, which is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body. When the spinal cord is compressed or damaged, it can disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system, potentially leading to seizures.

It’s important to note that seizures can have various causes, and not all seizures in Dachshunds are directly related to IVDD. Other factors, such as epilepsy or other underlying health conditions, can also contribute to seizures in dogs. If you suspect that your Dachshund is experiencing seizures, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Seizures brought on by back problems?

Sadly, back pain may not actually be a sign of a muscular problem. It can lead to serious problems like seizures and be linked to neurological problems.

Is a pinched nerve a potential seizure trigger?

Depending on the circumstance and severity, the answer is yes. Seizures may result from a number of different conditions, including pinched nerves. An upper neck injury is one of these conditions. Seizures may result from any nerve damage brought on by a severe upper neck injury.

Can seizures be caused by a pinched nerve in the back?

In the case of a very bad pinched nerve, permanent nerve damage may result. Since it could get worse with time, it’s critical to get treatment as soon as you can. However, a very bad pinched nerve can end up affecting your entire nervous system and result in a seizure.

Dog seizures when to put down
Dog seizures when to put down – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What signs do dachshunds exhibit when their discs are degenerating?

Depending on where along the spine the disc protrusion or extrusion has occurred, additional symptoms of IVDD may be present. Neck pain is the most typical symptom of cervical disc disease. In addition, the dog may appear weak or uncoordinated if the spinal cord is damaged or under pressure, which impairs the nerves’ ability to function. These symptoms of lassitude and clumsiness typically develop gradually. A dog with cervical IVDD is incredibly infrequently incontinent (McKee 2000).

Spinal dysfunction and pain are frequently both symptoms of thoracolumbar disc disease. This is characterized by weakness and lack of coordination in the dog’s hind limbs, or by the dog appearing to be lame, or by the dog being completely unable to move or use its back legs, or having hindlimb paralysis. In severe cases, the canine patient might also be incontinent (unable to control bowels or bladder functions). Dogs with lumbosacral disc disease in their lower backs experience pain, frequently struggle to stand up, and display reluctance to jump. On rare occasions, they may exhibit incontinence, a hind leg limp, or self-harm behaviors like chewing on their feet or tails.

Although the function of the spinal cord after a degenerative intervertebral disc injury can sometimes improve on its own, most often veterinary medical or surgical treatment is required (McKee 2000b). Rapid specialized treatment is required for many Dachshund IVDD cases, and this frequently entails significant spine surgery. The prognosis for dogs with IVDD is significantly influenced by the location of the issue, the severity of the symptoms, the presence of spinal cord damage, the severity of that damage, and how long the damage has been present. After surgery, some dogs with completely paralyzed hind legs regain use of them. Others, however, do not and continue to be incontinent and paralyzed. 85 percent of patients demonstrated a good response to treatment in a study of 238 canine cases who underwent surgery at a German veterinary school, and 15 percent had a poor long-term outcome (Bull et al 2008). Jensen et al. studied 61 Dachshunds until they were 8 years old; 22 (36%) of the dogs developed IVDD; of these, 8 were put to death as a result of their IVDD, 8 had surgery and were still alive, 5 received only medical care, and 1 had spontaneously recovered. 25 percent of Dachshunds with thoracolumbar IVDD who underwent surgery reported a recurrence in Mayhew et al.’s study from 2004; 96% of recurrences occurred within three years of surgery.

Seizures brought on by slipped discs?

Seizures as well as excruciating pain are possible effects of herniated discs. Herniated disc seizures patients may find relief using the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) technique.

Spinal cord seizures symptoms
Spinal cord seizures symptoms – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What conditions can cause a dog to have seizures?

In addition to epilepsy, there are many other conditions that can cause seizures in dogs, such as organ diseases, anemia, strokes, high or low blood pressure.

Fits and heatstroke can both be triggered by ingesting poisonous substances, such as dangerous plants.

How to stop seizures in dogs immediately
How to stop seizures in dogs immediately – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Canine seizures be brought on by anything?

Extracranial causes of seizures have their origins outside of the brain but are still capable of having an impact on the dog’s brain and resulting in seizure activity. The most frequent extracranial causes are ingested toxins like caffeine and chocolate, as well as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperthermia, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and hypothyroidism.

Diseases that result in structural or functional changes inside the dog’s brain are known as intracranial causes of seizures. Genetic epilepsy, brain trauma, tumors, nutritional imbalances, autoimmune disorders, or infectious diseases like canine distemper virus (CDV) and rabies are the most frequent intracranial causes.

There are various seizure types and related symptoms, just like in humans. Some signs are more obvious than others.

Seizures that are partial or focal only impact a specific area of the brain on one side. Focal seizures can cause a variety of symptoms, such as hackles on end, dilated pupils, hallucinations that cause the dog to snap at the air or snarl at nothing, and sudden onset of mobility and coordination problems. It can be challenging to recognize these seizures, which are frequently viewed as odd behavior.

What can trigger a seizure in a dog?
What can trigger a seizure in a dog? – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How is a dachshund’s slipped disc managed?

Options for treatment If your dog only has minor signs of a slipped disc, it might be best to treat them’medically’ (with pain medication, strict rest, and physiotherapy), but if they exhibit more serious signs (like excruciating pain or being unable to walk), surgery is probably necessary.

Each of your dog’s vertebrae (backbones) has a small cushion between them called an intervertebral disc. While your dog is moving around, they serve as support and an impact absorber (see the picture above). Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a condition that causes these discs to gradually lose their pliable nature, turn hard and brittle, and occasionally slip out of position. Slipped discs put pressure on the spinal cord, resulting in discomfort, leg weakness, and occasionally paralysis and incontinence.

A slipped disc can be caused by trauma or an injury, but IVDD is the most frequent cause.

IVDD symptoms, which can emerge gradually or suddenly, include.

Reflex anoxic seizures in dogs
Reflex anoxic seizures in dogs – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How should a dachshund with degenerative disc disease be treated?

Many dog owners are curious as to whether surgery is necessary for a dog to recover from IVDD. If your dog is diagnosed with a mild to moderate IVDD injury early on, your veterinarian may try treating it with steroid and anti-inflammatory medications (to help reduce pain and swelling), along with strict crate rest for about 4 to 6 weeks.

In cases of more severe IDD in dogs, where rest and medication are insufficient to relieve pain and other symptoms, surgery is typically advised. The hardened disc material that is pressing on your dog’s spinal cord and resulting in the IVDD symptoms will be removed during surgery by your dog’s veterinarian.

The best surgical outcomes are seen in canines who have retained their walking ability. A dog wheelchair can help your pup live a happy and active life despite having intervertebral disc disease if your dog’s surgery does not restore normal mobility for them.

What toxins can cause seizures in dogs
What toxins can cause seizures in dogs – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Does a dog’s seizure have a cause?

To put it simply, a trigger is what causes your dog to have a seizure. A seizure is brought on by a factor, either inside or outside the dog’s body. Numerous factors, such as the home environment, household items, foods, medications, and stress are all potential seizure triggers. Even though the trigger is frequently challenging to pinpoint, it must have occurred within 30 hours of your dog’s seizure in order to count as one. The only exception to this rule is vaccinations, which can cause a seizure up to 45 days after administration.

You can try to stay away from the items listed below to lessen the likelihood that your dog will experience a seizure.

Environment can have a significant impact on seizure episodes in your dog. Although your home is part of a dog’s environment, this section will concentrate on potential environmental stressors your dog might run into outside.

Ivdd in dogs
Ivdd in dogs – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Canine seizures be brought on by spinal injury?

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is not typically independently associated with seizures, unless there is involvement of the brain stem or there is a secondary complication, such as autonomic dysreflexia. However, an injury that affects nerve pathways could cause something akin to seizure activity.

The condition epilepsy, in which sudden “storms” of electrical activity in the brain have an effect on the body, is the most frequent cause of seizures. However, there are a number of conditions that affect the central nervous system that can cause seizures as well as other causes.

Charles-Édouard Brown-Séquard, the 19th-century doctor after whom the symptom of a single-sided spinal cord injury is named, first proposed the idea that spinal cord seizures can occur independently from spinal cord injury (SCI). However, it is uncommon for this to be written about in contemporary literature because the animal experiments he used to show that seizures linked to acquired SCI were seizures were largely disproved. (i) Medical research from the 1960s that suggested seizures had a spinal cord origin(ii)(iii) has not been able to be applied to contemporary medical practice. The region of the brain from which a seizure originates and its symptoms—which frequently involve motor activity affecting the spinal cord but do not originate from the spinal cord specifically—are used to describe seizures.

The more accurate term “seizures” is preferred because fits, which was once a common way to refer to seizures, has come to represent historically unfavorable views of people who experience seizures. In some places and among some people groups, the term “fit” or the description of someone as “fitting” when they have a seizure is still in use. Seizures can be divided into several categories based on the part of the brain they originate in and how they affect the body.

Grand mal seizure dog
Grand mal seizure dog – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Can dogs have seizures when they take IVDD?

Dogs who are presenting for wellness exams may not be as anxious as dogs with IE and IVDD. This was observed as a higher likelihood for dogs with IE and IVDD to be fearful/anxious when approached by an unfamiliar dog. Given that the majority of these dogs were receiving drug therapy for seizure control or pain relief, this might be an adverse drug reaction. Or, alternatively, the disease itself may be to blame for this. Idiopathic epilepsy and IVDD both cause dogs to experience sudden bursts of pain and seizures. When faced with an unfamiliar situation, the anticipation of such events may make them fearful or anxious. Similar anticipatory pain may be felt by patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. According to research on the effectiveness of anxiolytic medications in reducing anxiety, agitation, and distress in dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery, 89 percent of patients showed signs of calming down and improved confinement tolerance. While dogs with IE and IVDD displayed signs of fear and anxiety when approached by an unfamiliar dog, no other parameters were statistically significant when comparing all groups in terms of anxiety-related behaviors. The small sample size may have prevented further comparisons between behavioral comorbidities and various medical populations.

Humans’ anxiety-related behavior has changed during the seizure phase (5, 6). The same phenomenon was evident in our patient cohort. 14 of the total 37 epileptic dogs showed behavioral changes during the various seizure phases in the majority of the questions asked (questions 22–25, 28–31, 34–37). In addition, a high degree of statistical significance was observed between changes in seizure phase and a variety of behavioral alterations related to separation-related behaviors, attachment/attention seeking, as well as obedience and training (Ppre, Ppost, Pinter 5). Shihab and co. demonstrated that dogs with uncontrolled epilepsy experienced an increase in behavioral changes, with uncontrolled epilepsy being defined as lacking a 50% reduction in seizure frequency when receiving a particular antiepileptic drug combination: phenobarbital and potassium bromide. There is an increase in anxiety-related behaviors in dogs with IE receiving polytherapy as opposed to the monotherapy population, even though a clear link between the postictal phase and increased anxiety cannot be established in dogs based on this study (as it was made for humans).

Although we predicted that the epileptic population in this study receiving polytherapy would experience higher seizure frequency, this was not found to be statistically significant. Excitability was the only behavior that the seizure frequency had an impact on. Less excitement was shown before a car trip in dogs with higher seizure frequency compared to dogs with lower seizure frequency. Again, this might be a sedative side effect of the antiepileptic drugs or it might be the result of general anticipatory anxiety in these patients.

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Can a Dachshund's slip disc lead to seizures.
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Chelsea Vaughn

Chelsea is a former marine biologist who switched gears in her twenties to build a small house and start a business. She enjoys traveling and going on hiking adventures with her husband, their two Australian Shepherds and their African Grey Parrot.

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  • My dachshund has been at my vet for a week now on steroids & pain meds,and being crated,he has improved & preying the meds help,taking him home tomm where he will crated for another 3 weeks,he has the pain in the neck area,back is good.any help you can offer would be appreciated,thank you ….elliott