Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neck pain and leg wobble fixed by spine surgery in Dalmatian dog
By Beranek, J et al.·Published in Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·2013·Rutland House Referrals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Distraction-stabilisation of two adjacent intervertebral spaces in a Dalmatian dog with caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old Dalmatian was brought in for chronic neck pain and trouble walking due to weakness in his back legs. Tests showed that two discs in his neck were pressing on his spinal cord. The vet performed surgery to stabilize these discs using special pins and a cement-like material. After a smooth recovery, the dog was able to walk normally for several months, but the pins later loosened and had to be removed. After this second surgery, he fully recovered and has been symptom-free for over two and a half years.
People also search for: Dalmatian neck pain treatment · dog spinal surgery recovery · dog walking problems neck pain
Abstract
A 4-year-old, 40-kg, male, entire Dalmatian was presented for evaluation of chronic neck pain and pelvic limb ataxia. Myelography revealed ventrodorsal (hourglass) extradural compression over the intervertebral space between the 5th and 6th cervical vertebra and ventral extradural compression between the 6th and 7th cervical vertebra. Cranial compression disappeared and caudal compression markedly diminished after performing cervical traction. MRI scan confirmed protrusion of intervertebral discs and spinal cord compression in previously mentioned intervertebral spaces. Surgical distraction-stabilization of both intervertebral spaces was performed using threaded pins and polymethylmethacrylate. The convalescence from surgery was uneventful and the dog was walking without any signs of paresis until 5 months after surgery when radiography revealed implants loosening. The dog recovered fully of the implant removal and remained asymptomatic for more than 30 months.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23644293/