Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs of cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs
By Lin, Megan et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical characteristics associated with cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old dog with cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) was brought in for not being able to walk and showing signs of weakness. This condition is a type of spinal cord issue that can cause severe symptoms, and in this case, the dog was also experiencing lower pain levels compared to others with similar problems. The vet noted that older, lighter dogs were more likely to have HNPE and might need more intensive care, including mechanical ventilation. Treatment focused on managing the dog's symptoms and providing supportive care, which is crucial for recovery in these cases.
People also search for: dog not walking cervical spine issue · HNPE in dogs treatment · dog spinal cord problems symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clinical characteristics of cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) in dogs compared to other causes of cervical myelopathy are not well described. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate for clinical characteristics and mechanical ventilation likelihood associated with HNPE compared to other causes of cervical myelopathy. ANIMALS: Three hundred seventy-seven client-owned dogs from 2010 to 2022. Cases included 46 HNPE, 192 IVDE (intervertebral disc extrusion), 30 FCEM (fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy), 66 CSM (cervical spondylomyelopathy), and 43 neoplasia. METHODS: Retrospective study with record review and bivariate analyses. Dogs with signs of cervical myelopathy and an MRI diagnosis of HNPE, IVDE, FCEM, CSM, or neoplasia were included. RESULTS: When compared to dogs with other cervical myelopathies, dogs with HNPE were more likely to be older and of lower weight (median age 10 vs 8 years, P < .001; median weight 9.1 vs 20.2 kg, P < .001), be nonambulatory (89% vs 54%, P < .001), have signs of central cord syndrome (35% vs 16%, P = .002), and have nonlateralizing signs of myelopathy (65% vs 48%, P = .029). When compared to dogs with IVDE, dogs with HNPE were more likely to present with lower pain scores (30% vs 15% nonpainful, P = .002), and require mechanical ventilation (4/46 HNPE, 2/192 IVDE; odds ratio [OR] 9.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-51.0). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Compared to dogs with other cervical myelopathies, dogs with HNPE have differences in clinical characteristics, presentation and likelihood of requiring mechanical ventilation. These differences are important to consider for case management.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39797537/