Which of the following signs is less typical for discospondylitis in dogs?

• A. Pain
• B. Neurological deficits
• C. Fever
• D. Reluctance to move

Answer: (C)

Discospondylitis in dogs most reliably presents with spinal pain and a clear reluctance to move, because the infection involves the intervertebral disc and adjacent endplates, causing local inflammation and pain that makes the dog seek relief and guard the spine. Neurological deficits can occur, especially if the infection progresses and compresses the spinal cord, but they’re not present in every case. Fever, on the other hand, is not consistently seen in discospondylitis; many affected dogs are afebrile or only mildly febrile, so fever is less typical than the combination of pain and reluctance to move (and potential neurologic signs in advanced cases).