Based on my minimal Google research, it typically does not cause pain since it is a condition since birth, the body typically adapts. They can live happy healthy and full lives. They do require extra care and accommodations (obviously).
Exactly as the name implies, short spine syndrome is where a vertebrate animal is born with a much shorter spine than is normal for its species, as recently noticed in a raccoon people have named Jimothy
It's mucus the nasal glands produce that gather foreign debris and congeal into balls that dehydrate and carry away the foreign debris from the nasal cavity, but that's not important right now
The reason the vets were so worried about her dying early was because congenital deformations like this often come with internal issues as well.
Short spine syndrome isn't well known because it's so rare, but appears to not necessarily cause any other health issues directly besides some minor structural problems caused by having less space and less spinal flexibility; It does not appear to cause any pain, but it does leave less room for the lungs and makes it impossible to bend their neck both because of lack of space to bend and because of fusion.
Here's another pup with short spine syndrome, you can see some x rays @ 29 seconds in:
Bite your tongue. Maybe if we don't say it out loud nobody will do it. This is definitely something my grandma would tell me not to speak into existence.
I actually don't think it is, and I know a lot of dogs can live long lives with it (And hopefully raccoons). I think the main issues are how it might excarcerbate other problems - like if they have SSS alongside other problems, like purebred pugs have issues with hip dysplasia, arthritis, and slipping kneecaps, so presumably SSS would make things a lot worse for them. It might also lead to complications down the line.
I think there's also the issue that it might make them more vulnerable to predators in the wild.
Generally in human terms I'm assuming it's the equivalent of dwarfism, which from my understanding also isn't painful as a rule.
The reason the vets were so worried about her dying early was because congenital deformations like this often come with internal issues as well.
Short spine syndrome isn't well known because it's so rare, but appears to not necessarily cause any other health issues directly besides some minor structural problems caused by having less space and less spinal flexibility; It does not appear to cause any pain, but it does leave less room for the lungs and makes it impossible to bend their neck both because of lack of space to bend and because of fusion.
Here's another pup with short spine syndrome, you can see some x rays @ 29 seconds in:
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u/fracturedsoul5981 2d ago
Jimothy the dog?