Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cervical disc disease and spine instability in small-breed dogs
By Aikawa, T et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2024·Department of Surgery, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cervical intervertebral disc disease in 307 small-breed dogs (2000-2021): Breed-characteristic features and disc-associated vertebral instability.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 307 small-breed dogs with cervical intervertebral disc disease (C-IVDD) underwent treatment for their condition, which can cause neck pain and mobility issues. Most of these dogs were diagnosed using imaging techniques like X-rays and MRIs, and many received spinal surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. The majority of the dogs, about 96%, recovered well after treatment, with follow-up periods averaging over eight months. The study highlighted that older dogs and certain breeds might require more frequent surgical stabilization to improve their outcomes.
People also search for: small dog neck pain treatment · cervical disc disease in dogs · dog spinal surgery recovery · C-IVDD in small breeds · dog surgery for neck problems
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the breed-characteristic features of cervical intervertebral disc disease (C-IVDD) and associated vertebral instability in small-breed dogs and to present the concept of intervertebral disc degeneration and associated instability stage, method of diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. ANIMALS: In total, 307 client-owned dogs with C-IVDD treated with spinal cord decompression with or without vertebral stabilization (2000-2021). METHODS: Information on age, sex, affected sites, stabilized sites, diagnostic methods for vertebral instability and outcomes were retrieved. The patient's age, affected sites (cranial vs caudal discs), and frequency of vertebral stabilization were compared in six CD and five NCD breed. Multivariable analyses of the chondrodystrophic (CD) vs non-CD (NCD) groups, and vertebral stabilization (dogs stabilized vs dogs not stabilized) were performed. RESULTS: In total, 222 (72.3%) and 77 (25.1%) were CD and NCD breeds, respectively. Vertebral instabilities were diagnosed based on the survey radiographs with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (n = 2), dynamic myelography (n = 29), intraoperative spinal manipulation (n = 11) or second surgery in dogs with persistent postoperative paraspinal pain (n = 3). Of these dogs, 295 (96.1%) recovered (median follow-up: 8.5 [range, 1-119] months). Significant differences in age, affected sites and frequency of stabilization were noted among the breeds. Older age and frequent vertebral stabilization were the associated factors for the NCD breed dogs. Male dogs, caudal discs affected (C5-T1) and the NCD breed dogs were risk factors for the dogs with vertebral stabilization. CONCLUSION: Vertebral stabilization is indicated for small-breed dogs with cervical disc-associated vertebral instability.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38342967/