Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intrathecal pressure measured in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease
By Kunz, Rhona E et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2015·Department Clinical Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Assessment of Intrathecal Pressure in Chondrodystrophic Dogs With Acute Thoracolumbar Disk Disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of chondrodystrophic dogs, like Dachshunds, with acute back problems caused by a slipped disk were found to have higher pressure in their spinal fluid compared to healthy dogs. These dogs showed signs of pain and discomfort, and their condition was confirmed through MRI and surgery. The study found that the increased pressure in their spinal fluid could be linked to the severity of their spinal issues. Understanding this pressure may help veterinarians better treat dogs with similar back problems.
People also search for: dog back pain treatment · Dachshund slipped disk symptoms · spinal pressure in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess intrathecal pressure (ITP) in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Group 1: 11 chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion and present deep pain sensation. Group 2 (control): 3 healthy chondrodystrophic laboratory dogs without spinal disease. METHODS: Diagnosis was based on neurologic signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and surgical confirmation. Blood pressure was maintained within physiologic range during anesthesia. A standardized surgical procedure was applied to minimize factors that could influence measurement readings. An extended hemilaminectomy was performed and ITP was measured with a fiber optic catheter. The catheter was inserted in the subarachnoid space 1 spinal segment caudal to the level of herniation and its tip was advanced to the site of compression. RESULTS: Significantly higher ITP occurred in chondrodystrophic dogs with acute thoracolumbar disk disease compared with controls. ITP was not associated with duration of clinical signs, neurologic status, outcome, degree of spinal cord compression, or signal intensity changes as assessed by MRI. CONCLUSION: Acute thoracolumbar disk disease leads to elevated ITP in chondrodystrophic dogs, which may contribute to increased compression of spinal cord parenchyma.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26223569/