Degenerative Disk Disease, Canine - contd.
A provisional diagnosis of degenerative disk disease is based on the symptoms, history, the breed and age of the dog, and the findings of a neurological examination. The diagnosis is confirmed and the exact site of the disk rupture determined by spinal x-rays. Commonly, a myelogram is performed to fully visualize the affected disk, especially if surgery is elected. A myelogram is a spinal x-ray where radiopaque contrast or dye has first been injected around the spinal cord. Rarely, diagnosis may require advanced imaging, as with MRI or CT.
