As the most common spinal disease in dogs, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) can cause intolerable pain for affected pets and significant costs to pet owners. 

With treatments ranging from $200 to an eye-watering $20,000+, pet owners must understand the breeds most at risk and take preventative measures to protect the spinal health of their beloved companion animal.

What is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)?

IVDD is a debilitating spinal condition that affects the cushion-like discs between the vertebrae, causing pain, weakness, and mobility issues in affected dogs.

"IVDD develops when the discs between the vertebrae undergo degeneration or herniate, leading to the compression of the spinal cord or nerves," Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. "The condition is more prevalent in certain breeds and can cause severe consequences if left untreated."

Symptoms of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Symptoms of IVDD may vary depending on the location and severity of the affected disc.

"It is important for dog owners to understand that if they observe any symptoms, early diagnosis and treatment from your local veterinarian is paramount," Crighton recommends. "Early intervention has been shown to improve the chances of a good recovery significantly." 

✔️ Back pain
✔️ Reluctance to jump, exercise, or climb stairs
✔️ Stiffness
✔️ Hunched posture
✔️ Weakness in legs
✔️ Loss of coordination
✔️ Lameness
✔️ Changes in behaviour

Treatments for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

When it comes to treating Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in dogs, the approach can be diverse, depending on the severity of the condition. Typically, two primary methods are employed to manage IVDD: non-surgical treatment and surgical intervention.

“ The choice of treatment recommended by your veterinarian hinges on various factors,” she says. “These include your pet's overall health, the gravity of symptoms displayed, and the specific location and type of disc herniation.”

For some pet owners, the prospect of IVDD treatment can be daunting, both emotionally and financially.

“Specialised surgical procedures, in particular, can come with a considerably high cost. However, it is essential for pet owners to understand that timely and appropriate intervention can greatly impact the outcome of the treatment and significantly improve the chances of a successful recovery for their beloved companions.”

Treatment can include: 

✔️ Restricted activity
✔️ Medication
✔️ Physical therapy
✔️ Weight management
✔️ Surgical intervention

"It is vital that pet owners seek immediate veterinary advice if their dog is showing any signs of IVDD, as early diagnosis and treatment can significantly impact the success of recovery," Crighton says. 

"The prognosis for dogs with IVDD can vary widely, depending on the extent of spinal cord damage and the timeliness and effectiveness of the chosen treatment."

"We understand the emotional bond between pets and their owners, and we are committed to helping families provide the best care for their beloved dogs," Crighton says. "IVDD is a condition that we know is causing a lot of stress and worry for pet owners; education around this disease is paramount for pet lovers."

With a strong dedication to promoting responsible pet ownership, Pet Insurance Australia actively promotes preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and other prevalent dog ailments. They also recommend owners prioritise regular veterinary check-ups for their dogs.

“These check-ups not only help detect any potential health issues early on but also enable timely interventions and appropriate treatments, if necessary,” Crighton says. “Also maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in minimising the risk of IVDD and other health problems.”

Pet owners are encouraged to provide a balanced diet and ensure their dogs get the appropriate amount of exercise. A healthy weight reduces strain on the spine and promotes overall vitality and longevity.

Pet Insurance Australia aims to empower pet owners to proactively safeguard their furry companions' health and happiness, fostering a stronger and healthier bond between dogs and their owners.

"Age onset for IVDD tends to peak around the four- and five-year mark. However, we see many dogs succumbing to IVDD much later in life," Crighton says. "Interestingly, many dog enthusiasts think IVDD is only a smaller dog issue. However, our statistics suggest it can affect much larger breeds."

Top 10 Dog Breeds affected by IVDD 

1. Dachshund
2. French Bulldog Mix
3. Weimaraner
4. French Bulldog

5. Beagle
6. Dobermann
7. Great Dane
8. Australian Silky Terrier Cross
9. Airedale Terrier
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

* Pet Insurance Australia data, FY2023

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Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs

Top 10 Insured Dog Breeds and Top Claims (2022)

New survey reveals the damaging impact dog owners’ habits may be having on their pet’s health, as well as their own!

Nearly one in four dog owners do not treat their dog for intestinal worms, leading to an increased risk of disease transmission to people.

A new study published by researchers on the attitudes and practices of Australian dog owners has revealed that many may be putting their pets, their families and themselves at risk by failing to follow best practice guidelines when it comes to controlling canine intestinal worms.

The first Australian study of its type conducted in over a decade uncovered that alarmingly nearly three-quarters of dog owners (72.3%) do not follow the best practice guidelines of deworming their dog monthly, with nearly 1 in 4 (24.5%) owners never deworming their dog. [1,2]

Furthermore, the majority of dog owners do not properly dispose of their dogs’ faeces within their own backyard, with less than half of respondents (43.7%) removing their dog’s faeces on a daily basis, increasing the risk of parasite infections.

Management practices including monthly deworming and prompt removal of dog faeces, is key in minimising the risks associated with intestinal worms in dogs. As many of the worm species infesting dogs can also infect and cause disease in people (known as a zoonotic disease, or zoonoses) this risk extends to people too, meaning that dog owners’ management practices are key to keeping both pets and people healthy.

That’s why, ahead of World Zoonoses Day (Thursday July 6), Professor Rebecca Traub, a Professor of Veterinary Parasitology and member of the Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Advisory Panel, is urging dog owners to adopt a monthly deworming routine to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission and prevent exposure to these potentially dangerous parasites.

Speaking to the findings of the study, Professor Traub said, “It is alarming that despite the hazards, the results show there is still a lot to be done to educate pet owners about the risk of disease transmission between pets and people, including the risk posed by canine intestinal worms.

“Dogs, both healthy and sick, may carry a range of different zoonotic organisms and given the close relationship between pets and people and their shared living environment, it is extremely important that dog owners remain vigilant to prevent exposure of these parasites to other dogs and humans both directly, and through contamination of the environment,” said Rebecca.

In addition, a separate study of vets indicated that most considered canine parasitic diseases to be extremely important but identified barriers to client compliance with recommended deworming programs including affordability (63%) and lack of access to information (19%). [3]

Professor Traub noted that, “Last year, we conducted Australia’s first nationwide study investigating the prevalence and distribution and risks associated with canine intestinal worms contaminating dog parks across Australia and it showed that almost half (42.6%) of parks sampled were contaminated with canine intestinal worms.

“While many dog owners are rightly concerned about the risks of dog faeces not being cleaned-up in public locations such as dog parks, this survey highlights the lack of awareness from dog owners for the threat their own home/backyard presents.

“Quite simply, by not deworming dogs monthly and picking up their dogs’ faeces in the dog park and backyard, people are not doing enough to minimise the health risks associated with canine intestinal worms to both dogs and humans,” concluded Rebecca.

To help reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission from pets to people, the Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Advisory Panel has recently developed a set of guidelines. Key recommendations are:

✔️ Regular veterinary health checks for pets

✔️ Ensure good hygiene practices (e.g., handwashing, disposal of pet poo)

✔️ Deworm pets monthly

✔️ Treat pets for external parasites year-round

✔️ Avoid feeding raw meat diets to pets

References:

1. Massetti L, Traub RJ, Rae L, Colella V, Marwedel L, McDonagh P, Wiethoelter A (2023). Canine gastrointestinal parasites perceptions, practices, and behaviours: a survey of dog owners in Australia. One Health (accepted 15 Jun 2023).

2. Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Advisory Panel (2021) Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines.

3. Massetti L, Wiethoelter A, McDonagh P, Rae L, Colella V, Traub RJ (2023). The veterinarian’s perspective and practices for the control of canine endoparasites in Australia. BMC Veterinary Research (under review).

4. Massetti L, Wiethoelter A, McDonagh P, Rae L, Marwedel L, Beugnet F, Colella V, Traub RJ (2022). Faecal prevalence, distribution and risk factors associated with canine soil- transmitted helminths contaminating urban parks across Australia. International Journal of Parasitology, 52(10):637-646. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.08.001

About NexGard SPECTRA®

NexGard SPECTRA®, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, is a tasty once-a-month chew suitable for puppies and dogs from eight weeks of age and weighing at least 2 kg. NexGard SPECTRA® provides the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm and intestinal worms, all in one tasty chew, and is available in Australia at leading veterinary clinics, pet specialty stores and online. See product label for full claim details and directions for use.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock. As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both.

For more information, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health 

MEDIA RELEASE, 6th July 2023

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Beware Canine Intestinal Worms at Dog Parks!

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Caroline Zambrano Pet Journalist knows full well how distressing and challenging a major hock injury can be, especially if you're mum to a supersized senior dog like her Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Cruz. 

She shares her story - warts and all - hoping this will help other dog owners put things into perspective, should they face a similar crisis.

"The accident occurred the night before we moved house mid December 2022. Cruz, our 8-year-old Anatolian Shepherd, was in the backyard for most of the evening while we finished packing the remaining few boxes. When we called him in for the night, we noticed him limping on his back leg.

It wasn’t the first time our ‘livestock guardian’ hurt himself chasing birds and other wildlife that dared to enter his outdoor space, so I thought, as I felt around his leg, that he probably sprained a muscle.

By morning the lower hock area was a little swollen and we left Cruz on his bed out on the deck to keep him safely out of the way of the movers while they loaded furniture and boxes into the truck. In the meantime, I could see him running around the deck, barking at magpies and dogs passing by, so I thought it couldn’t be anything serious, otherwise he wouldn’t be acting like a clown.

Cruz waiting to see Dr Rob Zammit
after his hock injury for diagnosis

I was so wrong! Our Vet Dr Rob Zammit at Vineyard Vet Hospital (Vineyard NSW) took one look at Cruz’s leg and said, “it is an orthopaedic catastrophe!” My heart sunk.

I asked him about our treatment options, and he said “surgery or worst-case scenario... euthanasia” because there’s a chance the surgery may not work! Cruz is a 63kg senior dog with medical issues, including hypothyroidism and arthritis, and would live the rest of his life in pain. “Let’s see what the X-rays show, and we go from there,” advised Dr Rob.

It wasn’t the kind of conversation I was expecting to have, especially during the holiday season, and was in disbelief and scared to think of the excruciating decision we may need to make as a family in the coming weeks.

A few days later, I brought Cruz back to Vineyard Vet Hospital to get the X-rays done. I stood by Dr Rob to keep Cruz calm as he manipulated Cruz’s leg under the machine to get images of different angles.

Dr Rob was right – it was an orthopaedic catastrophe; his hock was dislocated with a fracture that would require a large plate to be screwed in.

Different types of canine hock injuries and their causes

Dr Rob sent the X-rays to his colleague, a “superbly skilled surgeon” named Dr Andrew Levien, for his opinion about surgery. A couple days later I got a call from Dr Andrew, who I learned to be also the director of 24-hour emergency hospital Veterinary Specialists of Sydney (VSOS). 

He wasn’t concerned about Cruz’s X-rays, explaining that it was a common injury and he’d performed this type of surgery countless times with great success.

“There are two main types of injuries to the hock - degenerative and traumatic," he said.

“I generally see cases that are more of a degenerative type issue of the ligaments supporting the ankle – much like a cruciate ligament in the knee – and for that reason we see it more in middle age or older dogs.”

“Also, hock injuries are seen more in athletic animals than sedentary ones, more common in large dogs and working dogs because they put strain on that ligament that support the ankle.”

Certain breeds, like Shetland Sheepdogs and Border Collies, are also predisposed to hock injuries that are more degenerative in nature.

Occasionally hock injuries occur due to a traumatic accident, caused for instance by jumping off the deck or getting hit by a car. It’s not related to cancer, said Dr Andrew.

In Cruz’ case, it was a traumatic accident (a break) caused most likely when he was running in the backyard and his foot got caught in a pothole and twisted.

Source: https://www.imaios.com/en/vet-anatomy/dog/dog-tarsus

His official diagnosis was: left tarsometatarsal subluxation – a fancy name for the metatarsal bones becoming disconnected from the tarsus or ‘ankle’ of the dog.

The recommended treatment was a partial tarsal arthrodesis – in other words, a surgery used to fuse the leg and foot bones together to salvage some joint function.

VSOS Dr Andrew with an X-ray of Cruz showing where his hock is dislocated

“Cruz’s surgery is pretty standard from the point of view of a repair. But he’s an exceptionally large dog compared to your average Border Collie that weighs only 18-24 kgs; Cruz is three times that size!” said Dr Andrew.

“For that reason, we need to beef up the hardware in his leg to account for that. He’ll get a strong plate in there to make it stronger and we’ll meticulously close the soft tissue to avoid complications.”

The cost would be around $7,000 – thank goodness for our pet insurance (personally, a must for big dogs)! We’ve had cover with Pet Insurance Australia since the day we got Cruz and have saved many, many thousands of dollars over the years with 80% money back for claims. (And he’s not even a working dog!!)

When Cruz’s insurance renewed in December last year, we decided to lower the cover to 60% to save money on the increased monthly premium due to his age. It was a good deal, we thought, and hoped he'd stay out of trouble! A few days later, Cruz went and fractured his leg!

The risks of this type of surgery

There are few risks involved in this surgery if done by a competent trained surgeon, explained Dr Andrew.

“The main risks everybody should be educated on are infection,” he warned. “There’s not a lot of tissue coverage over the hardware. So, it’s not difficult for bacteria to work their way through the skin and towards the plate.

 "Sores caused by the bandaging on Cruz' leg look worse than they actually are" said Dr Andrew

Other risks are antigen (markers that tell your body that something is foreign) complications and pressure sores from bandaging problems that can be very nasty and take weeks to get better!

“Tendons and bones can be exposed from bandaging complications. That’s why I’m protective over my cases and make sure they get the appropriate bandaging after surgery to avoid complications,” he added.

Dr Andrew with Vet Nurse changing Cruz' bandage for the third time after his hock surgery

“Other risks, theoretically, can be the fusion of the ankle doesn’t occur for one reason or another and the hardware got removed, causing an infection in the surgical area and required another surgery.”

Then there’s breeds like Anatolian Shepherd Dogs being at increased risk for anaesthetic complications, such as hypotension, hypothermia, abnormal heart rate, hypoventilation, and difficult recovery (eg, prolonged duration, dysphoria, pain).

Post operative care is the most important!

It was good to be informed of the risks of this major surgery. But what Dr Andrew was most concerned about was the post operative care – the surgery can be for nothing if we don’t provide him the proper care and time for his leg to heal properly.

“Dogs can walk on the leg relatively early, four to six weeks after the surgery. However, fusions are inherently a slow process, taking weeks and months to happen. So, we don’t want dogs running around on the repair until some sort of fusion has happened,” he said.

“In Cruz’s case, we can expect full recovery to take four to five months before fusion is strong. Otherwise, the implant can take all the load and the metal could snap. That would be uncommon. But I’ve heard of bones breaking around the metal object.”

So general recovery is eight to ten weeks, followed by an X-ray to see where we’re at with the fusion. I would have to restrict Cruz’s movements to a small area of the house and take him to see Dr Andrew at VSOS (65km from my home) once a week for a check-up and bandage change.

When Cruz has to do his doggy business in the backyard, we need to support him with a sling. I thought, how complicated can it be to manoeuvre a huge limo of a dog forward whilst simultaneously hold a sling to support his back?

Also, he’ll have a fibreglass cast on and I would need to keep the bandaging dry at all times. No worries, I should be able to do that whilst manoeuvring and supporting his back end with a sling when he‘s pooing in the rain. I got this .. I think?

Patient-proofing the house

The date was set for his surgery in a week’s time and in preparation, my family and I started patient-proofing the house to make it safe and comfortable for Cruz during his long and risky recovery.

1. Choose a safe, quiet space. We decided to set Cruz up in the family ‘movie room’ downstairs; it’s a small room beside the sliding door to the backyard so he didn’t have to walk far for toileting. Any movie watching would be done on low volume and turn the captions on!

2. Cosy bed. We dragged in Cruz’s new giant orthopaedic bed that we got him for Christmas, and placed his soft bed as back-up in case he didn’t feel comfortable.

3. Containment. We ordered a mesh gate for the doorway so he could see through it into the living room and not feel isolated.

4. Safety. We placed a large rug in the room and more rugs in the living area to prevent slipping and piled large pillows on the movie room pull-out couch to prevent him from climb it. We also connected the Furbo Camera in the room so I could check on him throughout the night.

5. Food and water. We placed his elevated water and food bowl stand near his bed.

The surgery!

The surgery went well; the procedure taking a couple hours and no complications to report. Cruz would stay for a couple days at Vineyard Vets for monitoring, confined to a crate to keep him quiet and off his paws.

It wasn’t long before we got a call from Dr Rob that Cruz was okay to go home. My teen daughter Isabel and I arrived at Vineyard with great excitement and were certainly not prepared for what we saw when Cruz walked out of the recovery room.

His left side had been shaved from the stomach all the way down his leg and a blue bandage was wrapped tightly around the hock joint, down to the paw. A nurse was supporting Cruz’s backside with a large sling and he was walking like a drunk.

I felt the anxiety rising in my chest and wanted to cry. Dr Rob walked into the consult room at that moment and braced himself for the zillion questions I started blurting out. Eventually he and Isabel calmed me down, assuring me everything would be ok and we could handle this.

Cruz, a few days after the surgery with
his back supported by a sling

Isabel guided Cruz out of the consult room with a lead and I shuffled behind, supporting him with the sling. To my horror, it began raining … hard! 

I remembered Dr Andrew’s advice to 

use a plastic cover to protect the bandage. A nurse brought out a modified, disposable, plastic blood collection bag that was cut across the top so I could simply slip Cruz’s paw into the hard, thick plastic and protect the bandage. Genius!

As for the rest of the bandage poking out from the top of the plastic, we put his leg into a large supermarket bag and tied the handles around the top of his thigh, then used bandage tape to seal off any openings.

We shuffled out of the building – Isabel guiding Cruz with one hand and a large umbrella in the other, and me supporting his back end with the sling. Cruz made a beeline to the closest tree for a wee and walked under a bushy branch, releasing over a dozen stink bugs on top of us!

A nurse came running to help as we desperately tried to flick the stink bugs off Cruz and from inside our shirts while balancing the sling, umbrella and bag of meds. We couldn’t stop laughing all the way home, soaked to the bone! It was a miracle Cruz’s bandage stayed dry!

At home recovering

Cruz is a very chilled dog by nature – hence his name – but keeping him calm and restricting his movements was a bit more challenging than we expected. The mesh gate we ordered didn’t arrive on time, so we blocked the entryway to the movie room with heavy wooden kitchen chairs.

In the middle of the night, we heard a loud noise. I checked our Furbo dog camera and saw he had pushed the chairs away to get out of the room! 

The next night, we reinforced the chairs with a box of books which we placed on the floor. It worked …until the following night when he managed to push passed the heavy barricade and even jumped over the box!

The daytime wasn’t any easier – he wanted out all the time. I found Dog TV on YouTube – 8 hours of ducks by a stream. Yeah, nah, this wasn’t going to work. (Frankly, I’d go a bit bonkers, too!)

Cruz won – we placed his bed in the living area, moved rugs around and blocked the stairs with the dog gate mesh that had finally arrived. 

I moved my office to the kitchen table where I could keep an eye on him and went through the daily cycle of covering his bandage with the plastic blood collection bag and supporting him with a sling when he needed to go out to do his toileting.

By around Week 3, he could walk much better on his own so we stopped using the sling. His leg trembled a little as he put pressure on it, but that was expected.

As we couldn’t play any activity games, we spent time cuddling on his bed and playing hide and seek with treats in my hand. We had to be careful not to feed him too much as he wasn’t getting any exercise.

Cruz recovering at home post surgery and contemplating the meaning of life!

I felt bad leaving him at home when I went out for my morning exercise. He sat by the front window, like a cat, watching the world pass by and occasionally barking at people – I swear he loves to make them jump! (Don’t get me started about the neighbour’s cat!) I was happy to see Cruz was making friends with the neighbourhood kids who came to play basketball with Isabel outside our house.

One day I caught up on a video call with Andre Cato, founder of Presents for Paws, and introduced him to Cruz and how he’s home recovering from a major surgery. 

A happy Cruz discovers a box full of toys, courtesy of Presents for Paws

A few days later, we got a lovely surprise in the mail – a personalised box with wonderful toys to keep him entertained! Cruz chose his favourite – a red, cuddly dinosaur that we named Dinosaur – which become a permanent fixture on his orthopaedic bed.

During the initial six weeks of recovery, we made weekly trips to see Dr Andrew at VSOS for Cruz’s bandage change and check-up, and lots of pats and cuddles from the staff. (Cruz was milking it bigtime!)

“So far it’s healing well,” said Dr Andrew in week 2, “Albeit a bit slower than expected but it could be because of his age.”

Let’s fast forward to week 6 when he finally got his bandage off and Dr Andrew was very happy with the result, despite observing a couple of pressure sores around the paw.

He said, “The difference with Cruz compared to other dogs is the bandaging situation (with pressure sores) has been a lot better. He’s a quiet dog, not boisterous and bouncy. For that reason, he laid about and rested more compared to an active dog.”

X-ray results are in!

Finally, the date arrived in Week 8 for Cruz’s follow-up x-rays at Vineyard Vet Hospital. Dr Rob called me into the imaging room and showed me the X-ray of Cruz’s leg. He pointed to the computer screen showing Cruz’s leg held together by a large metal plate and several screws.

Dr Robert Zammit sharing the X-ray results

I held my breath for a moment, not quite sure what he was going to say, and saw a big smile grow on his face. “It looks amazing!” he said.

Cruz puts his paw up in the air!
Sores nearly all gone (21/03/23) 

Dr Andrew certainly did a brilliant job with the surgery, and we were very strict with his recovery which made the difference in the end. 

But we won’t be running anytime soon. Frankly, I’m too scared to ever let him off the leash!

“You can go for walks but take it easy, maybe start with 10 minutes around the block and gradually increase over time,” advised Dr Rob.

Sounds good to me! We just need to get to the car without releasing any stink bugs!

written by Caroline Zambrano, Pet Journo, March 2023 for Australian Dog Lover (all rights reserved).

About the writer

Caroline Zambrano is a Sydney-based pet writer with nearly 20 years of experience in journalism and public relations specialising in the Australian pet industry.  Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications in the United States.

Caroline is a PR & clinic volunteer for Pets in the Park, a national charity that cares for pets owned by people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and is a rescue volunteer for Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Inc.  She is also a member of the Australian Canine Scent Work Association.

You can contact her at www.petjourno.com.au and follow her & Cruz on Instagram @petjourno

Related Topics:

Best rest games for dogs post-surgery

The role of physiotherapy in canine hock instability

Preventing cruciate ligament injuries in dogs

How to care for your senior dog

Being active with our dogs is a joyous pursuit for many. But getting the most out of those adventures and activities means keeping our canine companions in good health. Unfortunately, it's often only once clinical signs of dysfunction become apparent that we thoroughly assess our dogs. However, thermal asymmetries are often present before the onset of those clinical signs and can be detected with infrared thermal imaging.

This article will discuss how thermal imaging can benefit the decisions we make for our canine companions, especially active dogs and canine athletes.

What is thermal imaging?

Thermal imaging lets us visualise radiant heat energy emitted or reflected from a body; it's often used at airports to screen passengers for elevated body temperatures. It is also widely used in human sport-science and military applications. Within the medical and veterinarian industries, it is not new. However, its use has become more prevalent as technology advances and allows us to detect minute changes in surface temperature.

The thermal imaging process for dogs is non-invasive and non-contact; it's similar to photographing the dog from different viewpoints. The resulting images provide remarkable insight into the dog's physiological state in an easy-to-read coloured heat map, showing which areas are hot, warm, cool and cold. Ideally, we want to see thermal symmetry on either side of the dog and warmth right down to the toes.

In the patient below, we can see that the thermal profile of both the left and right sides appear even, but there is little heat within the lower limbs. This would indicate that this dog has not warmed up sufficiently, and thus exercising in this state would increase the risk of injury to the intricate structures of the lower limbs.

Figure 1: Thermal Imaging showing Thermal symmetry in lower limbs

Benefits of Canine Thermal Imaging

Early detection of dysfunction is important in reducing risks associated with athletic and active pursuits. This is where thermal imaging plays an important role.

Thermal imaging is a cost-effective tool generally well-tolerated by dogs and does not require sedation. It can be conducted before a veterinary examination, allowing owners to be more informed of their dog's physiological condition and providing a detailed means of communication to help owners pursue a diagnosis or treatment plan.

The application of thermal imaging is not limited to veterinary examinations; it can also be used for those seeking a competitive edge in their sports, to monitor the effects of rehabilitation, or to assess the dog's physiological state when investing in therapeutic treatments.

✔️ Low cost
✔️ Lower stress on the patient
✔️ Whole body images
✔️ Pre-diagnostic tool
✔️ Inform owners & care team
✔️ Location of dysfunctions are easy to see

Thermal Imaging and Traditional Diagnostic Tools

Using thermal imaging as an initial evaluative tool, the entire body surface temperature is analysed for asymmetries and abnormalities. Having all the areas of concern that show up as either hyperthermic or hypothermic identified before further investigation means that diagnostic tools such as x-rays, CT, MIR and ultrasound tools might be used more efficiently. In this manner, thermal imaging complements other imaging tools by providing otherwise unavailable insight.

Searching the thermal patterns for areas of hypothermia is especially helpful in identifying possible nerve-related dysfunction or chronic injuries, as these areas are related to vasoconstriction or a lack of blood flow. Injuries like tendonitis do not readily show on x-ray scans and may require more expensive diagnostics. However, a thermographic evaluation can often be helpful in the differential diagnosis and maintenance of these types of injuries.

Figure 2: dog presenting with intermittent lameness in the right hind limb

For instance, the canine athlete in the images above had intermittent lameness in the right hind limb; x-rays were taken and found unremarkable, and the diagnosis was tendonitis in the right hock. 

Three weeks after this diagnosis and clearance to return to sport, we can still see thermal imbalances in the trunk region and the hocks. This demonstrates that the canine athlete would have benefited from a more prolonged recovery or rehabilitation period. However, the dysfunction affected a greater area than was identified without thermal imaging, which was limited to the clinical presentation of tendonitis symptoms found in the right hock.

What Conditions can Thermal Imaging be used for?

Since thermal imaging allows us to see areas of heat and cold in the body surface temperature, it can help detect conditions such as:

✔️ Neurological dysfunction

✔️ Muscle injury
✔️ Joint disease
✔️ Inflammatory issues
✔️ Compensatory issues

Often the first signs of injury or illness that owners notice are behavioural changes, such as aggression, unwillingness, or avoidance. 

However, thermal imaging can be used as a tool for early detection, as signs of dysfunction often appear in the heat map before clinical signs or behavioural changes become apparent. Dr Ronald Riegel, DVM, a leader in veterinary thermal imaging, has recently demonstrated its use in identifying signs of thermal asymmetry and abnormality consistent with the early stages of hip dysplasia.

Since it is non-invasive, thermal imaging can be conducted as regularly as is needed. This can be especially important to handlers of canine athletes wanting to ensure their dogs are in top form for high-level competition. 

It also plays a valuable role at events as it can immediately inform handlers of their dog's state during the warm-up phase. The free webinar, Thermal Imaging in Canine Sports - Improving Welfare for the Individual Athlete, goes into much more detail about thermal imaging in canine sports.

This is an example of thermal imaging being used in canine sports; we can see that the canine athlete is not sufficiently warm in their lower limbs before their event.

Handlers can use this knowledge to help increase blood flow by changing the surface they are working the dog on, adding warmth to specific areas, or increasing the intensity of the warm-up. 

Alternatively, they may decide to withdraw their dog from the event to prevent injury. Using thermal imaging this way informs handlers, allowing them to make more informed choices that lead to better outcomes for their dogs.

Case studies:

Below are examples of how veterinarian thermal imaging was used to inform owners of pet dogs and canine athletes, helping to get their active dogs back out having fun safely.

1. Carpal Injury

In the patient below, we can see points of inflammation in the carpal and metacarpal joints related to carpal hyperextension and overloading of the forelimbs. 

As a result of this being identified in thermographic images, the patient received a higher level of care, including manual therapy, veterinarian assessment and anti-inflammatories. The outcome was positive since the dog was in reduced pain, and imbalances that contributed to the condition were addressed, reducing the load on the forelimbs.

2. Lumbar Nerve & Compensatory Injuries

Neurological dysfunctions and chronic injuries are associated with areas of hypothermia or cooler regions. 

In the patient below, we can see a marked area of coolness near the hip, with large areas of heat through the thoracic and lumbar regions. In this case, the patient has a lower lumbar neurological condition affecting the hindlimb, and the muscles around the spine are overcompensating as the dog attempts to shift weight off the painful leg. 

Thermal imaging is used to inform the entire care team, monitor the recovery or progress of dysfunction and speak on behalf of the dog, helping them to get appropriate treatment.

Shoulder Inflammation - Early detection

In our next patient, an athlete competing nationally, we see marked thermal asymmetry between the left and right shoulder joints. 

This information allowed the owner to adapt their conditioning and training program, adjust their supplements and begin hydrotherapy. Without the thermal imaging, this dysfunction would have likely gone untreated until clinical signs presented - which means the dog would have suffered for longer as the dysfunction progressed, potentially leading to an absence from the sport and increased recovery time.

When to use thermal imaging

There are many reasons to use veterinary thermal imaging, and these might include the following:

✔️ One-off or regular wellness checks
✔️ To monitor the progress of treatments
✔️ To monitor rehabilitation after an injury
✔️ To monitor the physiological response to a conditioning program
✔️ Warm-up and cool-down assessments
✔️ At the onset of behavioural changes
✔️ To assess the impact of specific equipment

For handlers that want to maximise injury prevention for their active or athletic canine, thermal imaging can be a good option, as it is utilised to detect areas of concern before they become otherwise apparent. 

Looking for minor asymmetries and making small changes to fitness programs can aid in the prevention of long-term issues. Thermal imaging is readily used in this fashion within the human sports medicine field.

Early detection and swift response may reduce the time that the dog is suffering and reduce the likelihood of the issues progressing.

Wellness checks

A wellness check is a great way to get baseline images of your dog, allowing handlers to better monitor for physiological changes. Images are assessed for thermal patterns and asymmetries, and any significant difference in body surface temperature may indicate that further investigation or treatment is required.

In our practice at Canine Body Balance, we conduct wellness checks at all our intake appointments; this allows us to understand better where our canine patients might have hidden pain or dysfunctions.

Thermal Imaging in Canine Conditioning

Since canine conditioning is focused on building the dog's physical condition, which includes strengthening muscles and building endurance and stamina, we can use thermal imaging similarly to how it's applied in sports medicine.

✔️ monitor soft tissue injuries
✔️ assess recovery
✔️ monitor warm-up and cool-down
✔️ evaluate for signs of compensation or imbalanced muscle use

Its application in canine sports is rapidly expanding and is used to inform handlers of the effectiveness of their warm-up or cool-down routine. 

Thermal imaging video of sport dog during warm-up

For example, when active dogs have had a sports injury, thermal imaging can aid in monitoring the recovery progress allowing handlers to make informed decisions about when their dog can safely return to participating in their chosen sport.

Thermal imaging in manual therapies

Manual therapy is just as important for active or athletic dogs as it is for active humans. However, our canine patients can't speak for themselves, which is why thermal imaging is such a powerful tool for canine therapists, as it allows them to gain greater insight into the physiological condition of the dog and tailor their treatments.

Repeating the thermal images after multiple treatments allows the therapist to ensure they are treating not just the presenting condition but any compensatory issues that may arise as the body adjusts to a new state of normality.

Breed-specific Thermal Imaging

Some breeds of dogs are more challenging to assess with thermographic imaging than others, mainly due to coat variations. Coats that are very thick as less likely to produce quality thermal images, so owners of arctic breeds might find less value in this technology than owners of shorter (single or double) coated breeds.

On the other hand, certain breeds will gain increased benefits from regular thermal imaging. 

Those include dog breeds with long backs or that are prone to peripheral nerve issues, as thermal imaging may detect those minute temperature changes before clinical signs of dysfunction are apparent. Owners can then modify their dog's exercise or begin treatment earlier than they might have otherwise.

Keeping your active dog active

Being proactive about keeping your active dog active is the gold standard; handlers can achieve this in many ways. 

For those that want to maximise the time their dogs can safely participate in sports, thermal imaging will play an important role. It is a powerful tool that provides greater insight into the current physiological state of your dog.

Written by Tori Acres from Canine Body Balance (March 2023) for Australian Dog Lover, all rights reserved.

About our writer

Tori Acres is a certified Canine Therapist, Canine Fitness Instructor and qualified Mechanical Engineer based on the Central Coast NSW; she runs Canine Body Balance.

Combining her skills and knowledge in heat transfer and how things move with her detailed knowledge of canine anatomy and biomechanics, Tori aims to help dogs improve their physical condition and move better, so they can stay active for longer.

She is passionate about helping canine athletes reach their full potential and ensuring that pet dogs have the best quality of life through education, thermography, manual therapies, and strategic exercises.

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