Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Colder weather linked to sudden disc problems in dogs
By Barandun, Marc A et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2020·Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Colder Ambient Temperatures Influence Acute Onset Canine Intervertebral Disc Extrusion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs, particularly French Bulldogs and Dachshunds, were found to have more cases of sudden back problems during colder weather. These issues are related to intervertebral disc disease, which can cause pain and mobility issues. The study suggests that lower temperatures may increase the risk of these spinal injuries in dogs. While the research highlights a connection between cold weather and back problems, it emphasizes the need for further studies to understand this relationship better.
People also search for: dog back pain cold weather · French Bulldog intervertebral disc disease · Dachshund spine injury symptoms
Abstract
Canine intervertebral disc disease is one of the most common neurologic conditions in veterinary medicine but the influence of environmental factors thereon has not been fully investigated. Subjectively, there has been the impression of increased admissions of acute spinal cord injuries due to intervertebral disc extrusion during periods of colder temperatures. In the present retrospective study, the different weather conditions (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, humidity, and atmospheric pressure) during the acute onset of clinical signs and a lag period of 3 days prior to the occurrence of symptoms were analyzed. One-hundred-and-one client owned dogs from the meteorological region of the Lake Geneva were presented to two referral centers during the 6-year (2007-2012) study period. Chondrodystrophic dogs represented 65.3% of our population, with the French Bulldog (19.8%) and Dachshund (17.8%) being the most common breeds. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified an increased occurrence of intervertebral disc disease during colder temperatures. Our results are congruent with those of human studies which have shown that lower ambient temperatures are associated with more pain and increased risk for muscle injuries. The interplay of endogenous (breed, anatomical characteristics) and exogenous (environmental) factors should be addressed in a larger cohort study.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32318591/