Surgery for a spinal tumor can be complicated based on the tumor location. The best course of treatment should be determined by the tumor location, type, and grade with a goal of minimizing the symptoms of the tumor as quickly as possible. Neurologic Changes – Does your pet have any neurologic symptoms like depression, decreased appetite, trouble urinating or defecating, or sudden paralysis?ĭiagnostic tests for spinal tumors can include one or more of the following:Ī spinal tumor diagnosis can be scary, but there are treatment options available for your pet.Pain in Your Pet – Have you noticed your pet appears to be in pain? Do they exhibit signs of sharp pain or have localized pain?.Weakness in Limbs – Has your pet exhibited weakness in one or more limbs? Displayed dragging of one or more feet or started limping recently? Do their muscles appear to be wasting?.Changes in Coordination – Does your pet have a sudden reluctance to jump onto furniture or go up or downstairs? Are they having difficulty getting up or laying down?.Changes in Movement – Have you noticed a change in your pet’s activity level and what they are comfortable doing? Do they appear lethargic? Are they reluctant to lower their head to eat or drink out of a bowl?.If your pet displays these signs or symptoms of a spinal tumor, have your pet examined by your primary care veterinarian as soon as possible. “Mico’s mom noticed that he was slightly dragging both of his hind legs, wearing down the middle toenails on both and limping on his left front leg.” Many pet owners will notice a change in their dog’s behavior as the first indicator of a spinal tumor, although some pets will not display symptoms until late during the disease. Selecting the best treatment for you and your pet is critical as these slow-growing tumors may need more time than others to respond to treatment. Spinal tumors are typically slow growing and can progress over weeks to months. Some of these tumors affect the bones of the vertebral column, while others arise from the neural tissues of the spinal cord itself. Spinal tumors are relatively uncommon in dogs, with 90 percent of spinal tumors occurring in large breed dogs.
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