Disease Description: A developmental abnormality where some vetebra are malformed thereby exposing the spinal cord.

Inherit Mode: The condition is thought to be inherited, but the mode of inheritance has not been identified.

Disease Symptom: Most often, spina bifida occurs in the lower back region (caudal lumbar spine). The clinical signs vary with the extent of the defect. With a mild defect, you will likely never know there is an abnormality unless your dog has x-rays that show the area. When the spinal cord itself is affected, you will see signs in the hind end ranging from weakness and incoordination to paralysis and urinary and fecal incontinence. With a severe defect (absence of several adjacent vertebral arches with protrusion of spinal cord), signs are generally evident very early, when pups start to walk.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: In severe cases in young pups, your veterinarian may recognize the condition on physical examination. Diagnosis is confirmed by x-ray. With a mild defect, your veterinarian may find this abnormality incidentally when an x-ray is performed.

Treat Method: There is no effective treatment for dogs with spinal cord malformations. No treatment is necessary for dogs in whom spina bifida is discovered incidentally on radiographs. Reconstructive surgery may be helpful for mildly affected animals.

Breeder Advice: Although the mode of inheritance has not been established, it is safest not to breed from families where spina bifida has occurred.

Disease Description Source: Link