Spinal fractures/luxations

Spinal fractures (broken vertebrae) and luxations (dislocated vertebrae) are most often caused by trauma (falls, being hit by a car, rough play).

Because the spinal cord runs inside the vertebrae, these injuries can threaten movement, sensation, and bladder function.

Many patients also have other injuries (chest, belly, limbs), so initial care focuses on stabilising the whole patient, then the spine.

When the spine is unstable and/or the cord is compressed, surgery to realign and rigidly stabilise the bones (and sometimes decompress the cord) gives the best chance for a safe recovery and long-term walking, especially if the pet still has deep pain sensation at the paws.

What’s going on inside? The spine is a column of bones (vertebrae) joined by discs and ligaments. Trauma can break a vertebra (fracture), shift it off its neighbour (luxation), or both. These injuries can compress or stretch the spinal cord and nerves. The more the bones shift, the more the cord is at risk.