There are instances that when dogs are diagnosed with spondylosis, they do not feel pain at all. Even the dogs, who feel pain doesn’t suffer as much as the humans. Spondylosis can result in pain for the dogs if the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cords and reaching to the peripheral nerve get pressurized or encircled.

Often spondylosis is mistaken with other health problems which also cause back pain. In some other cases the main cause for the symptoms of spondylosis can be due to cauda equina syndrome or arthritis. The exact cause for the development of spondylosis is still unknown but people believe it is caused because of breakdown of Sharpey’s fibers. These fibers form the outer covering of the inter-vertebral disc. With the progression of disease the space between the two segments bridges together. The rate at which bridging happens is determined by the dog breed and the family history of the dog. It can also lead to fusion of vertebrates into a single bridge but this occurs very rarely.

Other form of spondylosis is characterized by the growth of osteophytes in the upward direction till they start pinching the spinal cord. Genetics and diet are also believed to play a role for causing spondylosis.