Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery helps most Pekingese dogs with unstable spine nerves
By Aikawa, Takeshi et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2023·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Decompressive laminectomy with vertebral stabilization allows neurologic improvement of most Pekingese dogs with thoracolumbar vertebral instability.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old Pekingese was brought in for weakness in the back legs, a condition known as paraparesis. After diagnostic imaging revealed instability in the spine, the dog underwent surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and stabilize the vertebrae. Following the procedure, most of the dogs in the study, including this one, showed significant improvement in their mobility and overall neurologic function. The dog was able to walk better and regain strength in its legs within a few months after surgery.
People also search for: Pekingese back leg weakness · dog spinal surgery recovery · paraparesis treatment in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the diagnostic findings, surgical techniques, and outcomes of thoracolumbar vertebral instability associated with or without articular process (AP) anomalies in Pekingese dogs. ANIMALS: 11 client-owned Pekingese dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records (2007 to 2022) were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were Pekingese dogs with thoracolumbar vertebral instability that underwent decompressive laminectomy and vertebral stabilization. Dynamic myelographic study and/or intraoperative spinal manipulation were used to diagnose vertebral instability. Data on preoperative and postoperative neurologic status, diagnostic findings, surgical techniques, and outcomes were retrieved. RESULTS: The dogs presented with paraparesis (n = 9) or paraplegia (2). Five dogs had caudal AP anomalies. Dynamic myelographic study demonstrated single (n = 7) or multiple (4) dynamic compressions with poststress spinal cord height reduction (median, 12.5%; IQR, 6.8% to 21.2%). Of the 17 dynamic compression lesions, 5 lesions were at the disc spaces with caudal AP abnormalities. All dogs had vertebral instability confirmed by intraoperative spinal manipulation and underwent hemilaminectomy and unilateral vertebral stabilization. One dog had adjacent segment vertebral instability and underwent vertebral stabilization 3 months after the initial operation. All but 1 dog showed successful outcomes at the last follow-up (median, 16 months; IQR, 3 to 32 months). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vertebral instability associated with or without AP abnormalities is a potential cause of thoracolumbar spinal cord injury in Pekingese dogs. Dynamic myelographic studies and/or intraoperative spinal manipulation demonstrated vertebral instability. Spinal cord decompression and vertebral stabilization are effective, resulting in neurologic improvements in most dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37406996/