There may be some medical help on the horizon for dogs with spinal injuries. Until now, dogs with blown vertebral discs or spinal injuries often faced surgery or paralysis. Surgery options for dogs in the Utica/Rome upstate NY area include Upstate Veterinary Surgical Center in Canastota, Veterinary Medical Center of Central NY in East Syracuse or Cornell's Veterinary College in Ithaca.
New research from the University of California at San Franciso and Texas A & M will test a new drug that has been shown to work on mice with spinal injuries on dogs. The eventual goal will be to help humans with spinal injuries as well. This therapy won't regrow damaged tissue but helps to minimize the initial secondary damage. A special protein blocking drug will be used along with the usual rehabilitation programs. If even a small amount of nerve tissue can be saved, say 15 to 18 percent, there is a possibility of mobility.
This is an excellent example of research benefiting both people and dogs. Long backed dogs such as Dachshunds and Corgis are highly prone to disc problems as are Beagles. This drug could help these dogs to retain mobility and have relatively normal lives after an injury.
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