Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with delayed paralysis after microchip placed near spine
By Joslyn, S K et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2010·University of Glasgow, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Delayed spinal cord injury following microchip placement in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier was brought in for progressive weakness and inability to use her left front leg, along with weakness in all four legs, which started two weeks after mating. The vet found a microchip that had shifted and was pressing on her spinal cord. After surgery to remove the microchip, the dog began to regain movement in her left leg and showed improvement in her overall strength within two weeks.
People also search for: dog left forelimb lameness · Yorkshire Terrier tetraparesis treatment · microchip complications in dogs
Abstract
A three-year-old female, entire Yorkshire Terrier dog was examined because it had progressive non-weight-bearing left forelimb lameness and tetraparesis of two weeks duration. Clinical signs were first observed following mating. Examination confirmed non-weight-bearing left forelimb lameness and tetraparesis. Left forelimb muscle atrophy was also noticed. Survey radiography revealed a metallic foreign body consistent with a microchip in close proximity to the left articular facets between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. Computed tomography identified the exact location of the foreign body encroaching on the left dorsolateral vertebral canal, and osteolysis of the lamina of the sixth cervical vertebra. Surgical removal of the foreign body was performed via a dorsal approach to the caudal cervical vertebral column. Two weeks following surgery the dog showed return of left forelimb function and resolving tetraparesis. Microchip implantation had been performed three years previously.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20422127/