The German Shepherd partly has a problem with the early degeneration of the intervertebral disc. This has an effect on the frequency of the cauda equina syndrome. Are there preventive examinations?

Through an X-ray, anatomical deformations which can encourage a cauda equina syndrome (CES) are visible; however, the decisive criterion, the state of the intervertebral disc, cannot be detected radiographically.

The only possibility to recognize a degeneration of the intervertebral disc is the magnetic resonance tomography/MRI. In my opinion, such an examination only makes sense when there are neurological findings which indicate CES. The examination is complex (anesthesia) and expensive, so that without reasonable suspicion, it only makes sense for dogs for which a time-consuming training associated with high costs is planned. In these cases, the results can support the decision about the dogs’ further use and, if necessary, preventive measures can be taken for the affected dogs.