Discospondylitis in dogs

Introduction to discospondylitis in dogs

Discospondylitis is a spinal infection in dogs that affects the intervertebral disc (the cushion between the bones of the spine) and can also involve the nearby vertebrae. It often causes significant back or neck pain and can make dogs reluctant to move.

In many cases, we never discover the exact source of infection. Sometimes discospondylitis begins after a urinary tract infection, a bloodstream infection, or, less commonly, a migrating foreign body. Rarely, it can be associated with a wound or surgery near the spine.

Most dogs have a bacterial discospondylitis that can be treated with antibiotics. Because the infection is deep, treatment is long-term and can take many months, sometimes a year or more. Many dogs feel much better after the initial treatment period, even though they still need continued medication to fully clear the infection. A smaller number of dogs have more serious infections, such as brucellosis or fungal discospondylitis, which can carry a more guarded prognosis.

MRI of a dog’s spine showing discospondylitis (arrows)

Symptoms of Discospondylitis

Dogs with discospondylitis may show:

  • Back or neck pain (crying out, trembling, hunched posture, reluctance to be picked up)

  • Stiffness or reluctance to walk, jump, or use stairs

  • Lethargy, fever, or decreased appetite

  • In some cases, weakness or incoordination may occur if infection affects nearby nerves or the spinal cord

If your dog develops new neurologic signs (worsening weakness, stumbling, or difficulty standing), urgent veterinary assessment is recommended.

Discospondylitis Causes & Risk Factors

Discospondylitis is typically caused by infection reaching the spine through the bloodstream. Potential sources include:

  • Urinary tract or bladder infections

  • Bloodstream infections

  • Rarely, migrating foreign material

  • Occasionally, an infection associated with a nearby wound or prior surgery

Some infections are routine bacterial infections. Others, such as Brucella infections or fungal infections, require special testing and may affect prognosis.

Diagnosis of Discospondylitis in Dogs

Diagnosing discospondylitis often involves both imaging and laboratory testing. Your veterinary team will recommend the best approach based on your dog’s symptoms and exam findings.

Spinal X-rays (Radiographs)

X-rays are a common way to identify discospondylitis, and it’s important to X-ray the entire spine. Dogs can have more than one infected site, and new sites can develop over time.

A key challenge is timing: X-ray changes can take up to four weeks to appear. This means your dog may have symptoms, yet the first set of X-rays may look normal. If suspicion remains high, follow-up X-rays may be recommended.

We also commonly recommend repeat X-rays about every four months to monitor healing and help guide treatment duration.

Bacterial Cultures (Urine, Blood, & Sometimes Disc Space)

Cultures can help identify the organism and guide antibiotic choice. Because discospondylitis is a deep infection, cultures may be negative in many cases. A negative culture does not rule out discospondylitis.

Brucella Testing

Testing for brucellosis is recommended because it’s a disease humans can also catch. Even though it’s rare, testing helps protect your household and ensures the safest treatment plan.

Fungal Testing (When Indicated)

Fungal testing may be recommended in dogs at higher risk, including dogs who live in or have recently traveled to areas where fungal infections are more common (especially the Southwestern U.S.), immunocompromised dogs, or breeds with increased risk, such as German Shepherds.

Additional Imaging (CT / MRI)

Discospondylitis is often diagnosed with X-rays. However, dogs with more severe pain, neurologic changes, unclear radiographs, or concerns for complications may need additional imaging such as CT or MRI.

Treatment of Discospondylitis in Dogs

Treatment depends on the suspected organism, severity of signs, and response to therapy. Most dogs improve with a structured plan and careful monitoring.

Antibiotics

Most dogs are treated at home with oral antibiotics. Because treatment is long term, it’s important not to miss doses. Plan refills early, ideally one week before your prescription runs out.

Pain Medications

Discospondylitis is painful early on. Your doctor will prescribe medications to keep your dog comfortable while antibiotics begin working. Many dogs can taper pain medications as they improve.

If your dog becomes painful again after improving, let your veterinary team know. This can indicate relapse or a new site of infection.

Probiotics & Gastrointestinal (GI) Support

Probiotics may help reduce antibiotic-related stomach upset. If your dog develops vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or has a history of gastrointestinal (GI) sensitivity, discuss probiotics or other GI support with your veterinarian.

Advanced Treatments (For Select Cases)

Some dogs need additional therapies, such as IV antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications when appropriate, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or surgery. Your veterinarian will discuss which therapies may help your dog improve as quickly and safely as possible.

Monitoring & Recheck Schedule

A recheck is often recommended one to two weeks after diagnosis to ensure your dog is tolerating medications and improving.

In the long term, plan to recheck with the neurology team about every four months for repeat spinal X-rays. These rechecks help confirm healing and guide how long antibiotics are needed.

Contact the hospital if your dog develops:

  • New or worsening pain

  • Incoordination or weakness

  • Fever, lethargy, or decreased appetite

  • Any sudden change in mobility or comfort

Discospondylitis prognosis

Many dogs with bacterial discospondylitis improve significantly with antibiotics and supportive care, even though the full course of treatment can be lengthy. Prognosis depends on factors such as the organism involved (bacterial versus brucella versus fungal), the number of sites affected, and whether there are neurologic complications.

When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care

Seek urgent or emergency veterinary care if your dog has:

  • Sudden inability to stand or walk

  • Rapidly worsening weakness or coordination

  • Severe pain that’s not controlled with prescribed medications

  • Marked lethargy, fever, or inability to eat or drink

If you’re unsure, calling a veterinary team for guidance immediately is safest.

Discospondylitis FAQs

  • Discospondylitis is an infection of the intervertebral disc (and sometimes adjacent vertebrae) that can cause spinal pain and, in some cases, neurologic signs.

  • Because the infection is deep, treatment often requires long-term antibiotics and monitoring. Many cases take many months, and some may take a year or more.

  • Early in discospondylitis, the infection may have yet to cause visible changes to the disc space or nearby bone. X-rays show structural (bone) changes, and those changes can take up to four weeks to develop. If suspicion remains high, repeat X-rays may be recommended.

  • Cultures can be negative because discospondylitis is a deep infection, and the original source may have already cleared on its own. A negative culture doesn’t rule out discospondylitis.

  • Often, yes. We strive to perform diagnostics the same day when possible, especially if your pet is already here and prepared (which is why we ask that pets not eat the morning of their appointment when possible). However, because we must attend to the sickest patients first, we can’t guarantee same-day availability. We appreciate your understanding—emergencies are unpredictable, but we treat every case with urgency and care.

  • Most bacterial discospondylitis cases aren’t contagious. However, brucellosis is a special concern because it can be contagious to humans. That’s why Brucella testing is recommended.

  • Not always. Many cases can be diagnosed with X-rays, but MRI or CT may be recommended for severe symptoms, neurologic changes, unclear radiographs, or concern for complications.

  • Return of pain after improvement can suggest relapse or a new infection site. Contact your veterinary team promptly if pain returns.

  • A recheck is commonly recommended one to two weeks after diagnosis, followed by rechecks about every four months for repeat X-rays during long-term treatment.