Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Large dog with back paralysis treated safely by long spine surgery
By Felix Lackmann et al.·Published in Open Veterinary Journal·2022·Small Animal Clinic, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany, LY·View original on DOAJ →
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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Continuous hemilaminectomy of nine vertebrae can be performed safely in large breed dogs: a case report of a German Shepherd Dog with intervertebral disc extrusion and extensive extradural hemorrhage
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old German Shepherd was brought in for sudden paralysis after jumping off a car, which caused severe back pain and difficulty moving his hind legs. A CT scan showed that his spinal cord was compressed due to a slipped disc and bleeding around the spine. The dog underwent a major surgery called continuous hemilaminectomy, where nine vertebrae were treated to relieve the pressure. Remarkably, he made a full recovery within six months and showed no lasting issues.
People also search for: German Shepherd paralysis treatment · dog back surgery recovery · intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs
Abstract
Background: Extended, continuous hemilaminectomy has only been reported in small to medium-sized dogs so far. It remains unclear whether excessive continuous hemilaminectomy can also be performed safely in large breed dogs. Case Description: We describe the surgical treatment and clinical outcome of a 5-year-old German Shepherd Dog that was presented with paraplegia and deep pain perception following a short episode of bilateral hind-limb lameness, secondary to jumping off of a car. CT-myelography revealed that the paraplegia originated from extensive extradural spinal cord compression (Th6-L1), due to intervertebral disc extrusion and associated epidural hemorrhage. The dog was treated with a continuous hemilaminectomy involving nine vertebrae (Th6-L1) and recovered completely with no remaining neurological deficits, within six months. Conclusion: The rapid, uncomplicated and complete functional recovery in the presented case emphasizes the practicability of extensive, continuous hemilaminectomies, also in large breed dogs.
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 DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i4.4