Species: Dog
Condition: Vertebral Stenosis
Organ System: Urogenital
Vertebral stenosis (associated with cauda equina syndrome) is a disorder which is almost unique to the German Shepherd. If your dog has this syndrome then their spinal cord will be narrower than normal. The spinal cord contains nervous tissue and cells which are essential for movement and if the cord is too narrow, it will compress the tissue and cells. The symptoms of this disorder depend on the degree of severity and the specific location of the narrow part of the spinal cord; however they will generally include back pain, leg pain and lack of co-ordination. Your vet will treat the condition with medication or surgery.
Breeds exposed to Vertebral Stenosis – Research Reference
Miniature Dachshund Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
English Pointer Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
German Wire Haired Pointer Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Rottweiler Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Belgian Shepherd – Laekenois/Groenendael Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund- Long Haired Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Terrier Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund – Smooth Haired Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund – Wire Haired Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Doodle (Groodle) – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Belgian Shepherd – Laekenois/Groenendael – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
English Pointer – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
German Wire Haired Pointer – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Terrier – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Rottweiler – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Samoyed – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund – Wire Haired – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund- Long Haired – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund – Smooth Haired – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Belgian Shepherd – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Samoyed Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Belgian Shepherd Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine
To learn more about Vertebral Stenosis or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.
This information is accurate as at May 2014 and is subject to change without notice.
For Petmed Pet Health Insurance – pre-existing condition exclusion applies. Annual Benefit Limits and excess amounts vary based on pet health insurance plans.
