Are all disk ruptures treated with surgery?
Not necessarily. Treatment is based on the stage of the disease. Stage I disk disease produces mild pain and is usually self-correcting in a few days. Stage II disk disease causes moderate to severe pain in the neck or lumbar (lower back) area. Stage III disk disease causes partial paralysis (paresis) and results in the dog walking in staggering or uncoordinated movements. Stage IV disk disease causes paralysis but the ability to feel is present. Stage V disk disease causes paralysis and loss of feeling. These stages tend to overlap in some dogs, and dogs may move from one stage to another over a period of hours to days. Dogs with Stage II and III disease are usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and restriction from exercise. Surgery may be considered if the pain or uncoordination persists after 4-7 days of treatment or if the neurological status declines from one day to the next. It is important that the dog not receive pain medication unless total confinement
