Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intervertebral disc disease signs in cocker spaniels, bulldogs
By Jad Abouzeid et al.·Published in Animals·2025·Neurology and Neurosurgery, Southfields Veterinary Specialists, Part of Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Cranes Point, Gardiners Lane South, Basildon SS14 3AP, UK, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Comparison of Clinical Features of Intervertebral Disc Extrusions in English Cocker Spaniels, French Bulldogs and Dachshunds
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of English cocker spaniels, French bulldogs, and dachshunds were diagnosed with intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE), a condition that affects the spine and can cause pain and mobility issues. The study found that French bulldogs tended to show symptoms at a younger age, while English cocker spaniels were older at diagnosis. Each breed had different areas of the spine most commonly affected, with dachshunds primarily having issues in the middle back, French bulldogs in the neck, and English cocker spaniels in the lower back. Understanding these differences can help veterinarians provide better care and treatment options for affected dogs.
People also search for: dog back pain symptoms · French bulldog neck problems · dachshund spine issues · English cocker spaniel IVDE treatment
Abstract
Intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) is a common neurological condition in veterinary medicine, with chondrodystrophic breeds being particularly susceptible. Studies have compared breed-related risks and clinical characteristics, but here, we investigate the disease in three common chondrodystrophic breeds, the English cocker spaniel, French bulldog and dachshund, and aim to describe and compare the clinical features and anatomical distribution between them. We performed a multicentre retrospective observational study that included 465 dachshunds, 327 French bulldogs and 145 English cocker spaniels with an imaging confirmed diagnosis of IVDE. The mean age at presentation differed in all three breeds, with the French bulldog presenting youngest and English cocker spaniels presenting oldest. IVDE was most common in the thoracolumbar region in all three breeds, although French bulldogs showed the highest proportion of cervical IVDE, dachshunds the highest proportion of thoracolumbar IVDE, and English cocker spaniels the highest proportion of lumbosacral IVDE. The results of this study suggest a differing clinical presentation for IVDE between these three breeds with regard to both the age of onset and the anatomical region most likely to be affected.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040602