What Is Spondylosis Deformans?
Spondylosis deformans is a degenerative condition of the spine characterised by the formation of bony spurs — known as osteophytes — along the edges of the vertebral bodies. These bony projections grow at the borders of the discs between vertebrae and may eventually form bridges connecting adjacent vertebrae. It is a non-inflammatory condition, distinct from conditions involving disc herniation, though the two can coexist.
The condition develops as a response to instability or abnormal movement between spinal segments, with the body attempting to stabilise the area by laying down extra bone. It can affect any part of the spine but is most commonly seen in the thoracic and lumbar regions. The lumbosacral junction — the joint between the last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum — is another particularly common site.
Why It Often Goes Undiagnosed
Spondylosis is frequently an incidental finding on radiographs taken for other reasons, and many dogs with significant bony changes on imaging show little or no clinical discomfort. This is because the osteophytes themselves do not always impinge on nervous tissue, and the gradual stabilisation of the affected spinal segments can actually reduce movement-related pain over time.
When symptoms are present, they tend to be subtle and progressive — a gradual stiffening, a reluctance to exercise as vigorously as before, or mild difficulty rising from rest. These signs are easily attributed to normal ageing, and both owners and vets may not think to investigate the spine specifically unless more dramatic neurological signs emerge. The result is that the condition is significantly underdiagnosed during life.
Breeds and Risk Factors
Spondylosis deformans affects a wide range of breeds but is particularly prevalent in large and giant breeds, as well as working dogs that have experienced repeated physical demands on the spine. Boxers have historically been noted to have a particularly high prevalence, and the condition is also commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Airedale Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
Age is the single strongest risk factor — the condition is rarely seen before middle age and becomes increasingly common in senior dogs. It is estimated that by the time dogs reach ten years of age, the majority of large-breed individuals have some degree of spondylotic change detectable on radiographs. Obesity, prior spinal trauma, and repetitive occupational strain are all thought to accelerate its development.
Clinical Signs
The range of clinical presentations is broad. At one end of the spectrum, the dog may be entirely asymptomatic and the changes discovered by chance. At the other end, significant osteophyte formation that impinges on the spinal cord or nerve roots can cause pain, weakness, and neurological deficits.
Common signs when spondylosis is clinically significant include reluctance to exercise, stiffness particularly after rest, a shortened stride in the hindlimbs, difficulty with stairs or jumping, and postural changes such as a hunched back or a reluctance to fully extend the neck or back. Some dogs show signs of referred pain — appearing uncomfortable when the area is touched or turning sharply to look at the back end.
In severe cases where bony bridging or osteophyte impingement affects the spinal cord directly, ataxia — an uncoordinated, wobbly gait — or frank weakness and paresis of the hindlimbs may develop. These more serious neurological signs warrant urgent veterinary assessment.
Diagnosis
Plain radiographs of the spine remain the primary diagnostic tool for spondylosis deformans and are usually sufficient to identify and characterise the extent of bony changes. Multiple views are taken to assess all regions of the spine, and the degree and location of osteophyte formation helps guide treatment planning.
Where neurological signs are present or where surgical intervention is being considered, advanced imaging with MRI or CT is necessary to evaluate spinal cord compression, disc disease, and the precise anatomy of any bony impingement on neural structures. These modalities provide information that plain radiographs cannot offer and are essential in cases with significant clinical deficits.
Management Approaches
Because spondylosis deformans is a degenerative condition, treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life rather than reversing the bony changes, which are permanent. For dogs with mild or no clinical signs, a watchful approach with periodic reassessment is appropriate.
Pain Management
NSAIDs are the cornerstone of medical management for dogs with pain attributable to spondylosis. They are highly effective at controlling spinal pain and improving comfort and mobility when used appropriately and monitored for side effects. In dogs where NSAIDs are poorly tolerated, adjunct analgesics such as gabapentin or amantadine may be used, particularly where there is a neuropathic component to the pain.
Weight Management and Exercise
Maintaining an ideal body condition is particularly important in dogs with spinal disease. Excess weight increases the load placed on all joints, including the intervertebral joints, and accelerates degenerative change. Regular, moderate exercise on even surfaces helps maintain core muscle strength, which in turn supports the spine and reduces pain. High-impact activities such as jumping and rough play should be avoided.
Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy
Canine physiotherapy is increasingly recognised as a valuable tool in managing chronic spinal conditions. Core strengthening exercises, proprioceptive work on balance boards, and hydrotherapy in a warm pool or underwater treadmill all help maintain spinal support musculature and keep affected dogs mobile and comfortable for longer.
Nutritional Support
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA from fish oil, have well-supported anti-inflammatory properties and are widely recommended as a dietary supplement for dogs with degenerative joint and spinal conditions. Green-lipped mussel extract and turmeric (in appropriate veterinary preparations) are also used by many practitioners as part of a broader supportive protocol.
Surgical Intervention
Surgery is rarely required for spondylosis deformans but may be indicated in cases where discrete osteophytes are causing direct spinal cord compression and producing significant neurological deficits that do not respond to medical management. The procedure involves decompressing the spinal cord by removing the offending bony tissue and is performed by specialist surgeons. Outcomes depend heavily on the degree of neurological compromise present before surgery and how long it has been established.