German Shepherd dog

Hey Radar's Mom,

I thought I would start a new thread in case someone would miss the cauda equina request for info under your spinal stenosis post.  I would love to hear about any experience anyone has had with it.  so, if anyone can share some knowledge with Radars mom and the rest of us, it would be greatly appreciated by all of us, I am sure!

Darcy

I know all a little about it in humans. As I understand it dogs are affected by the same problem. What happens in humans is that either at the Lumber 4 or 5 disc can be collapsed, prolapsed, or severly herniated centrally or bilaterally. This disc is damaged because of gentics, accidents, or degenerated disc disease-  causing stenoisis (narrowing of the spinal cannal)some times the disc starts pressing on the spinal cord (the caudia equina) horses tail- refers to the spinal cord it branches out at this level like a horse tail and goes down both legs (usually) causing neurolodgical problems. Sometimes you can loose the use of your bladder or bowles, legs, and feet. If the damage is severe it can be perminent. Immediate surgery is usually necessary.