Decreased ability to express or defend themselves.They may also develop fecal or urinary incontinence. Urinating & defecating can be difficult if they develop complications that inhibit their ability to maintain a squatting position.Running and jumping can be a challenge because of their physical conformation that will limit them in specific movements.Normal dog games like fetch or frisbee.Turning or bending their body to look around or scratch an itch.They may need elevated feeders to reach their water or food. A dog without spine problems can easily be offered the five freedoms, but a special needs dog takes a lot of extra time, effort, and commitment from an owner.ĭaily tasks that short spine syndrome dogs may struggle with are listed below: Freedom to express normal and natural behavior.Īfter considering these freedoms, an owner must decide if their short-back dog will live a comfortable and fulfilling life.Freedom from pain, injury, and disease.

This is because they may develop complications as they grow and age due to their long list of underlying conditions.Ī good way to determine if a dog has a good quality of life is to look at the five freedoms that uphold the golden standard for an animal’s welfare: The medical team will need to assess spinal malformation, neurological abnormalities, or other potential underlying consequences of spinal instability.ĭogs with short spine syndrome need to have their quality of life assessed throughout their lifespan. Treatment requires a collaborated effort from a team of veterinary specialists and nurses in various fields, including surgery, radiology, and neurology. Medical management aims to improve or maintain the patient’s quality of life. Short spine syndrome dogs cannot be cured, so the only option is to manage the clinical manifestations of the condition. Unfortunately, Gene therapy has not yet been explored due to the lack of research and funding for rare veterinary conditions. The main reason for this is that the condition is encoded into the genes. Is There a Cure for Dogs With No Neck?Ī genetic mutation that influences the cartilage and bone cannot be corrected. This is why the condition lends itself to being so rare. Some studies have revealed that female dogs affected by a short spine have extended heat cycles and low pregnancy rates, which usually only produce one puppy. This could mean that the condition is possibly under-reported. In South Africa, a small number of dogs with short spines were identified, and they were labeled as “Baboon Dogs” because of their similarity to a baboon when running. Short spine syndrome has been identified as far back as the 1700s. For example, dogs who suffer from short spines are scarce, with only about 30 cases reported worldwide. Genetic studies in small animal medicine are still in their infancy, so not a lot is known about most genetic conditions in dogs. How Rare is a Dog With Short Spine Syndrome? Decreased spine flexibility resulting in rigid movement and the inability to turn their heads.Decreased number of ribs compared to normal dogs.Shortened cervical vertebrae give the dog the appearance of having no neck.The overall physical appearance of a dog with short spine syndrome can include some of the following features: The fusion compresses the vertebrae together, thereby modifying the length of the spine. The instability of the soft cartilage results in some vertebrae fusing to restrict movement and stabilize the spine. The mutation results in the spinal vertebrae remaining in a cartilage-like state that does not ossify into normal bone. Short spine syndrome is thought to be a rare genetic phenomenon, but recent research has revealed strong links to inbreeding within a population.