Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery outcomes for dogs with thoracolumbar disc protrusion compared
By Crawford, Abbe H & De Decker, Steven·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2018·Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, United Kingdom·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Comparison between Hemilaminectomy with either Anulectomy or Partial Discectomy for Treatment of Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Protrusion in Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Dachshund was brought in for back pain and difficulty walking due to a herniated disc in the spine. The dog underwent surgery called hemilaminectomy with either anulectomy or partial discectomy to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. After the surgery, the Dachshund that had the partial discectomy showed better recovery, with fewer complications and more lasting improvement in mobility compared to those that had the anulectomy. Most dogs in the partial discectomy group maintained their improvement for at least 18 months after surgery.
People also search for: dog back pain treatment · Dachshund herniated disc surgery · intervertebral disc disease in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:  The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of dogs undergoing a hemilaminectomy with anulectomy (HA) or a hemilaminectomy with partial discectomy (HPD) for treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. METHODS:  Medical records from 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were included if they had clinical signs and imaging findings consistent with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and had undergone surgical treatment with a HA or HPD. Outcome data were obtained via veterinary records and owner questionnaires. Recorded variables included age, sex, body weight, neurological deficits, surgical time, perioperative complications, postoperative neurological deterioration and recurrence of clinical signs. RESULTS:  The two treatment groups showed no significant difference in signalment, clinical presentation and imaging findings. However, significant differences were detected in outcome. Early postoperative neurological deterioration was recorded in 16/29 dogs in the HA group and 7/24 dogs in the HPD group ( = 0.037). Sustained clinical improvement for a minimum of 18 months postoperatively was reported in 9/22 dogs in the HA group compared with 17/23 dogs in the HPD group ( = 0.019). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:  Hemilaminectomy with partial discectomy for decompression of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc protrusion was associated with decreased postoperative neurological deterioration and increased sustained clinical improvement compared with hemilaminectomy with anulectomy.
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/29684920/