Dogs subjected to spinal nerve torment!

Japanese researchers with close ties to Oxford University used 18 adult cross-breed dogs to study the effects of lower back pain and sciatica associated with 'slipped disc'. The study was carried out in Japan in accordance with local animal welfare laws. The initial study involved 12 dogs, who were all anaesthetised and underwent laminectomy (surgical removal of part of a vertebra) in the area of the lower back. One of the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord in the lower back was clamped with a clip that was capable of delivering sufficient pressure so as to compress the nerve. To appreciate the level of pain, one must consider the severe pain experienced by people suffering from a pinched nerve as a result of a 'slipped disc' in the lower spine.

The dogs were allowed to recover from the anaesthetic and subsequently killed either one, or three, weeks later. Their body tissues were then studied, in particular the nerve cells in the damaged nerves.

A further six dogs were later used in the same manner, as part of the same study. After undergoing surgery and nerve root compression, the animals were given a general anaesthetic and their circulatory system flushed with embalming fluid, in order to preserve them. This procedure also killed the animals. The body tissues were subsequently studied for signs of damage, in particular the cells in the damaged nerves.

The authors stressed that, although many such animal studies have been carried out previously, few have looked at the effect of clamping and thereby compressing the spinal nerve root. The authors concluded from their study that sustained mechanical compression of the nerve root could result in irreversible damage to the associated nerve cells.

Pathology of lumbar nerve root compression Part 2: morphological and immunohistochemical changes of dorsal root ganglion. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 2004, vol. 22, pages 180-188. Kobayashi S, Yoshizawa H, Yamada S. University Laboratory of Physiology, Parks Road, Oxford; and Department of Orthopaedics, Fujita Health University, Japan.

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