CANINE ANATOMY

The spinal column is  made up of four major vertebral regions: cervical (neck), thoracic (mid  back), lumbar (low back) and sacral (pelvic). Dogs have seven cervical,  thirteen thoracic, seven lumbar and three sacral vertebrae. There are  also variable numbers of coccygeal or tail vertebrae. Intervertebral  disks are located between the vertebral bodies starting at the second  and third cervical vertebrae (C2-3) and extending to the seventh lumbar  and first sacral vertebrae (L7-S1). The three sacral vertebrae are fused  and therefore do not have disks. Intervertebral disks are present  between the coccygeal vertebra as well, but are of little clinical  significance.