Coursing along the length of the back, the spinal cord travels protected within the bony vertebral column. Separating each vertebra, and located beneath the spinal cord itself, are structures called intervertebral disks, which serve as cushions between each individual vertebra, absorbing shock and forming joints that allow the vertebral column to bend. Each circular disk is composed of an outer band of tough, fibrous tissue called the annulus fibrosus surrounding an inner gelatinous center called the nucleus pulposus. This latter structure is responsible for absorbing any shock placed on the disk.
Degenerative disk disease (DDD) is characterized by the slow degeneration of the nucleus pulposus within one or more intervertebral disks. As these continue to degenerate, they become less resilient and can even calcify, leaving the intervertebral disk without its shock-absorbing unit. As a result, the disks so affected become very susceptible to compression damage, even from normal day-to-day activity. In pets so affected, continued stress or sudden trauma to the disk or vertebral column can lead to an overt tearing or rupture of the annulus fibrosus, and extrusion of the degenerating nucleus pulposus. Unfortunately, since the top portion of the annulus is much narrower than the bottom portion, this extrusion usually occurs upward directly into the spinal canal, damaging the spinal cord and associated nerves.
Overt disk ruptures may be classified as partial or complete. In partial ruptures, the annulus can either be stretched or displaced into the spinal canal, or it can partially rupture, allowing a small amount of the nucleus within to escape and pressure the spinal cord. With complete ruptures, the entire nucleus content is allowed to escape into the spinal canal. Obviously, the consequences of such a rupture versus a partial one are much more severe.
The region of the vertebral column most susceptible to rupture is that portion extending from the last rib to the pelvis. The neck region is another area that can be affected. In a pet suffering from Degenerative disk disease (DDD), even the slightest wrong move, such as jumping off the couch or running too fast, can cause an affected disk to rupture. Dogs are the species primarily afflicted with Degenerative disk disease (DDD). Although any dog can suffer from DDD, there do seem to be some breed dispositions. The dachshund breed certainly leads the list in the number of cases reported. Other breeds commonly afflicted with degenerative disk disease include poodles, Pekingese, and Lhasa apsos. Beagles and cocker spaniels also have a notable incidence of Degenerative disk disease (DDD) in their neck region.
Degenerative disk disease (DDD) is characterized by the slow degeneration of the nucleus pulposus within one or more intervertebral disks. As these continue to degenerate, they become less resilient and can even calcify, leaving the intervertebral disk without its shock-absorbing unit. As a result, the disks so affected become very susceptible to compression damage, even from normal day-to-day activity. In pets so affected, continued stress or sudden trauma to the disk or vertebral column can lead to an overt tearing or rupture of the annulus fibrosus, and extrusion of the degenerating nucleus pulposus. Unfortunately, since the top portion of the annulus is much narrower than the bottom portion, this extrusion usually occurs upward directly into the spinal canal, damaging the spinal cord and associated nerves.
Overt disk ruptures may be classified as partial or complete. In partial ruptures, the annulus can either be stretched or displaced into the spinal canal, or it can partially rupture, allowing a small amount of the nucleus within to escape and pressure the spinal cord. With complete ruptures, the entire nucleus content is allowed to escape into the spinal canal. Obviously, the consequences of such a rupture versus a partial one are much more severe.
The region of the vertebral column most susceptible to rupture is that portion extending from the last rib to the pelvis. The neck region is another area that can be affected. In a pet suffering from Degenerative disk disease (DDD), even the slightest wrong move, such as jumping off the couch or running too fast, can cause an affected disk to rupture. Dogs are the species primarily afflicted with Degenerative disk disease (DDD). Although any dog can suffer from DDD, there do seem to be some breed dispositions. The dachshund breed certainly leads the list in the number of cases reported. Other breeds commonly afflicted with degenerative disk disease include poodles, Pekingese, and Lhasa apsos. Beagles and cocker spaniels also have a notable incidence of Degenerative disk disease (DDD) in their neck region.
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