Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats

Course Details

This lecture has been RACE approved for 1.0 CE hour for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Lecture Description:

This lecture will provide a comprehensive clinical overview of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), the most frequent spinal ailment diagnosed in dogs. We’ll discuss anatomical structure of the vertebral column, spinal cord, and intervertebral discs, and differentiate the types of disc degeneration based on their physical impact and the breeds they typically affect. We’ll then discuss diagnostic modalities with a focus on MRI as the most effective tool for visualizing spinal cord compression compared to CT and survey radiographs. Treatment strategies will then be presented for conservative medical management and surgical intervention. Finally, the speaker will discuss the prognosis for patients with IVDD for medical management vs. surgical treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the anatomy of the vertebral column, spinal cord, and intervertebral discs
• Understand the pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease
• Be able to localize the lesion to the correct spinal cord region
• Learn about the various imaging modalities that can be used in diagnosis
• Be able to determine whether medical management or surgical intervention is more appropriate, and the general prognosis based on clinical severity and treatment options