Hunched Back see photos

[NIKO]

I have spent hours online looking for information on why my husky (NIKO) has such an arch or hunch in his back. It's not debilitating in any way he is very very active and has had this hunch since he started growing.

When i say active. If he get's out the door, might as well just wait till he comes back cause you ain't catchin him. And he can clear 10 stairs in one hop. The vet thought it was because he was skinny. We have fixed that problem by taking him off the cardboard and corn diet known as purina. He now eats Taste Of The WILD from tractor supply. He still walks around like a cat ready to pounce. Does anyone else have a husky that has this trait?

[mbb23]

Sorry cant help on this one but im sure somone on here will be able to offer some good advice

Maybe you could have a chat with your vet and see what they say? x x x x

[valkyries]

my Thor as this hunch in his back but it's not there all the time, when i first saw it i thought some thing was wrong, but i've only noticed it afew times xxx

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

im afraid i cant help sorry - have u only spoke 2 1 vet? a diff vet might no a reason for it?

[Sarah]

Have found this article...not sure if it's of any help to you? Is he in any kind of pain, does he whine a lot or anything?

Just like people, dogs have disks, or round cushions of cartilage sandwiched between the vertebrae, or individual bones in the spine. Their tough outer layer and a soft inner layer, called the nucleus, act as shock absorbers.

Sometimes the outer layer ruptures and the nucleus actually pushes up into

the spinal cord. This is called Hansen’s Type I disk disease, and it generally affects dogs who are between 3 and 6 years old. Hansen’s Type II disk disease occurs when both the outer layer and nucleus degenerate and bulge upward into the spinal cord. This condition usually appears in dogs 8 years or older.

Both diseases cause pain and nerve dysfunction. If you’ve ever thrown out

your back, you have a good idea of how painful disk disease is.

Risk factors and detection

Dogs with long backs are at a higher risk for disk rupture. Breeds predisposed for Hansen’s Type I rupture include the dachshund, basset hound, bichon frise, toy poodle, Pekingese, beagle, Welsh corgi, Lhasa apso, Shih Tzu, and cocker spaniel. Hansen’s Type II disease occurs mostly in Doberman pinschers, Labrador retrievers, and German shepherds.

Hansen’s Type I disk disease often causes an acute, or sudden, disk rupture. Type II tends to progress slowly. About three-fourths of all disk ruptures occur in the midback area, and the rest mostly appear in the neck.

The signs of disk disease vary with severity and location in the spine. A

mild rupture can cause slight pain, but severe ruptures can cause irreversible paralysis. Most cases fall somewhere in between.

Signs of disk disease include:

• trembling, whining, or crying out with certain neck or back movements
• reluctance to move or turn the head
• appetite loss
• an arched back or a noticeable twist to the back
• reluctance to jump up or climb stairs
• an unstable walk
• toes knuckling under or feet dragging
• inability to use the legs.

If you notice any of these signs, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. The levels of spinal cord damage can progress quickly from pain to an unstable gait to loss of bowel and bladder control and paralysis.

Prompt treatment often prevents further damage.

Your veterinarian first will observe your dog’s gait, then perform a thorough

physical examination. During the exam, your veterinarian will turn your dog’s toes under to see if he straightens them out. Next, the doctor will

manually palpate each vertebra along the neck and back, move the neck in several directions, and test your dog’s spinal reflexes.

Sometimes these manipulations are painful, so don’t be alarmed if your

veterinarian places a muzzle over your dog’s mouth. The doctor will usually save more painful movements until the end of the examination.

Your veterinarian likely will X-ray your dog to look for signs of a ruptured disk and to rule out such conditions as arthritis, a fractured vertebra, or tumor in the spine. The doctor will anesthetize your dog, both for his comfort and to let the technician obtain good X-rays. With disk disease, the X-rays often show calcified disks or a narrowing between vertebrae.

Prevention and treatment

You can’t prevent disk disease, but a lean, fit dog is at lower risk. Minimizing rough play and jumping in at-risk breeds can help, too. But sometimes your best efforts won’t prevent disk rupture, especially with dachshunds.

Your veterinarian will treat your dog based on his symptoms. Neck disk

problems can be painful but rarely lead to paralysis. If your dog has neck pain but no neurologic abnormalities, the veterinarian may recommend pain relievers or anti-inflammatories, activity restrictions, and using a harness instead of a leash for walks.

Dogs with a hunched, painful back often respond to rest and oral medication.

But those with neurologic damage need hospitalization so your veterinarian can restrict activity, administer medication, and monitor your dog’s condition.

For recurring problems or paralysis, your veterinarian likely will recommend

surgery to relieve the pressure on the cord. The procedure is involved,

sometimes unsuccessful, and mandates a long recovery period. Your veterinarian can best explain your dog’s treatment and prognosis, and he or she may refer you to a specialist.

[NIKO]

He is not in any pain and his back has always seem to be like this. He is only a little over two years old now. He has no problems running or jumping. I just hope he does not have problems with it later in life.

[VOLGHAN]

i have a husky with a same issue, six months old and it's about 2 months that have an unnormal humpback. please let me know if you find why this happened and how can i solve it. Before the problem occurred, he took calcium pills for two months.

[SNC]

Hey there! I know this is from a long time ago, however I thought I'd post this just in case people are still curious. I believe this is a racerback/wheelback in huskies. It helps give them an extra boost of speed when gathering their feet under them and then shooting off. My husky has it aswell, and it does not cause him any pain, and he's very fast!

I suggest reading this article, I learned a lot from @sutsibepost

https://www.husky-owners.com/topic/42407-arched-back-should-i-be-concerned/