Intervertebral disk disease, Intervertebral disk herniation
Slipped disk, disk disease, herniated disk
Affected Animals:
Dogs are most often affected; rarely cats may develop a similar disease process. Male dogs are more likely to have disk degeneration than females. Factors that increase the risk of disk degeneration include genetic predisposition, excessive weight, and lack of muscular fitness.
Breeds genetically predisposed to degenerative disk disease include those affected with chondrodystrophy, or abnormal cartilage development. Affected breeds include dachshunds, beagles, cocker spaniels, Pekingese, French bull dogs, basset hounds, Welsh corgis, small poodles and other mixed-chondrodystrophoid breeds.
Large, older dogs without chondrodystrophy may also develop degenerative disk disease.
http://www.vetmedclinic.com/?p=245
So it is really important that if you have one of these breeds to always use a harness as not to pull on their cervical spine. Also if possible try not to let them jump off the couch or bed etc. Ramp training early on is something to consider.
This is a pretty exciting study although human based it will work with canines. The above mentioned breeds are more prone to cervical spine issues so these are great points to have in case something happens but may also be used prophylactically. Obviously see your vet immediately if your pup hurts their neck or back, but keep these points in mind for after care combined with vet recommendations.
New research concludes that acupuncture is more effective than medications for the treatment of cervical intervertebral disc herniations (CIDH). Local Neck AcupunctureA randomized, controlled study of 420 patients with CIDH consisted of two comparative groups. Group 1 consisted of 210 participants receiving electroacupuncture. Group 2 consisted of 210 participants receiving an oral medication. The results demonstrated that electroacupuncture “has better therapeutic efficacy than the medication group.” The researchers concluded that electroacupuncture “is better than medication in comparing both short-term and long-term therapeutic efficacies in treating CIDH.”
Here are the points
Full study results see below