My senior dog has a stiff gait and back pain. What do X-rays show?

Question

First of, thanks so much to Dr. Roca for the detailed response on my first post! I didnt include my dog's xray pics (taken today) so i'm attaching it here. Still waiting to hear back from my vet but would like to know if there are any red flags or possible issues i should discuss with her. Maicah is 10-12yo, shipoo mix, currently on ehrlichia meds: doxy and prednisone. Her gait is a bit stiff and i saw slight signs of discomfort when i massage her back. Any info will be much appreciated! Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 8.25 lbs

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA · Accepted Answer

The x-rays are a bit difficult to interpret because they are a little fuzzy, but I can see that Maicah has some minor changes on the bottoms of her vertebrae - called spondylosis. This can definitely cause discomfort in the back. I would talk to her vet about treatments that can help with this kind of pain. I am not able to evaluate her hind limbs because the assistant's hands are covering them up. Another possible cause of her stiffness is joint pain caused by the ehrlichia infection. This should improve with appropriate treatment.

My senior dog has a stiff gait and back pain. What do X-rays show?

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