The dog may have difficulty urinating or defecating because of the pain, may become incontinent, or may be unable to urinate. Some dogs are unable to move their tail, or have severe pain if the tail is moved. Often dogs will have a shuffling gait, and scuff their toes. Some dogs will chew on their pelvic area, hind limbs or tail, sometimes creating considerable damage by this self-mutilation. Many of the signs seen with lumbosacral stenosis can mimic those of hip dysplasia , and the two conditions need to be differentiated.
Lumbosacral stenosis occurs most commonly in large breed dogs.
German Shepherds appear to be more likely to develop this condition. The condition can be acquired, meaning the dog started out normal and then developed this condition. Or lumbosacral stenosis can be a congenital condition, meaning the dog was born with the abnormality. Either way, the symptoms generally do not occur until the dog is between 3 and 7 years of age. Lumbosacral stenosis is rarely seen in cats.