Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How symptom timing affects recovery in dogs with spinal disc extrusion
By Upchurch, David A et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2020·Department of Clinical Sciences (Upchurch, United States·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Effect of Duration and Onset of Clinical Signs on Short-Term Outcome of Dogs with Hansen Type I Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Extrusion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with back problems caused by intervertebral disc extrusion (a condition where the cushioning discs in the spine bulge out) underwent surgery to relieve pressure on their spinal cords. Researchers looked at how long the dogs showed symptoms before surgery and how quickly those symptoms appeared, but found that these factors did not affect how well the dogs recovered. Instead, the level of neurological function before surgery was the most important factor in determining recovery. Most dogs were able to regain their ability to feel pain, control their bladder, and walk again after treatment.
People also search for: dog back pain surgery · intervertebral disc extrusion recovery · dog unable to walk after back injury
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to determine if either the rate of onset of clinical signs or duration from initial clinical signs to surgical decompression affected the overall quality or duration of recovery in dogs with intervertebral disc extrusion. STUDY DESIGN:  This was a retrospective case series of 131 client owned dogs. Medical records of dogs surgically treated with hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disc extrusion between January 2016 and December 2017 were reviewed for signalment, neurological grade at presentation, rate of onset and duration of clinical signs and surgical variables. These variables were analysed to determine their effect on return of pain sensation, urinary continence and ambulation. RESULTS:  Duration of clinical signs prior to surgery and rate of onset of signs did not correlate with return of pain sensation, urinary continence or ambulation. Preoperative neurological grade was the main variable that was found to be associated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS:  Delay from initial clinical signs of intervertebral disc extrusion to surgery is unlikely to affect the ultimate outcome or the length of time for a dog to regain pain sensation, urinary continence or ambulation. The rate of onset of signs likewise does not influence these outcomes.
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/32000274/