Spinal surgery focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing issues involving the spinal cord, spinal column, and nerves in animals. There are several conditions that might need spinal surgery in animals, such as:
- Herniated disks: This condition happens when the soft, jelly-like substance inside the spinal disk bulges out through a rupture or tear in the disk's outer layer. This can put pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.
- Spinal fractures: This is when the bones in an animal’s spine get fractured or broken, which usually happens because of injury or trauma.
- Spinal stenosis: This happens when the spinal canal is narrowed, which puts pressure on the nerves or spinal cord, resulting in discomfort and pain.
- Tumours: This occurs when abnormal cells start to grow and multiply in the spinal cord or the tissues nearby. This can cause discomfort, pain, and mobility issues.
- Congenital abnormalities: This condition happens when an animal is born with a deformity in its spine, such as a tethered spinal cord or a malformed vertebra.
The aim of spinal surgery in animals is to alleviate their pain, improve their quality of life, and get them moving again. The surgery may involve manipulating, reconstructing, or taking out the spinal tissues that were affected, depending on the particular condition and how severe the symptoms are.
Following surgery, it's typical for animals to need a period of rest and healing, along with continuous physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore their strength and movement. With the right care and management, most animals can make a successful recovery from spinal surgery and have a better quality of life.