Pekingese Back Pain Symptoms

Intervertebral disc disease, often abbreviated as IVDD, is prevalent in the Pekingese world, more so than in most other breeds. The disorder involves the intervertebral discs' deterioration and jutting out -- along with all of the intense aching and neurological issues that join those things. Injury and the natural aging process can trigger loss of strength in intervertebral discs. This reduction of strength can lead to them breaking apart and then applying strain onto the spinal cord. Spinal cord disease is a frequent result of this neurological condition.

Backache is a major indication of intervertebral disc disease in Pekingese. Since your Peke can't express that to you in words, it's up to you to closely observe him for any indications of malaise. Some signs your pet might be experiencing this kind of pain include crouching over or arching of the back, vocalization that occurs seemingly out of nowhere, and rigidity and tightness in his manner of walking. The crouching over is called thoracolumbar kyphosis. Tension in the back often indicates back pain in dogs with this condition.

Although Pekingese are particularly vulnerable to intervertebral disc disease, other breeds are also prone to it, specifically dachshunds. Other dogs that commonly experience back pain and other associated effects are Doberman pinschers, beagles, Labrador retrievers, Lhasa apsos, Shih Tzus, German shepherds and poodles. The disease is particularly prevalent in excessively overweight pooches from these breeds, as well.

Pekingese are prone to intervertebral disk disease in general, and they're also prone to a specific version of it. Intervertebral disk disease is divided up into two separate categories. One is Hansen Type I, and the other is Hansen Type II. The Pekingese have a predisposition to Type I, which is generally more abrupt and intense with its symptoms. Type II is a much slower moving form of the disease. Bigger dogs are more likely to experience the latter type.