Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs with epidural gas and nerve pain from lumbar disc disease
By Skytte, Ditte & Schmökel, Hugo·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2017·Ryggcenter·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Epidural Gas Accumulation in Connection with Canine Degenerative Lumbosacral Disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs with back pain and sensitivity in their lower backs were examined for issues related to their spines. Imaging tests revealed that they had bulging discs pressing on their nerves, along with unusual gas buildup in their spinal areas. While gas accumulation in the spine is not common, it was found in these cases. Two of the dogs underwent surgery to relieve the pressure, and both improved significantly, showing no signs of pain during follow-up visits.
People also search for: dog back pain treatment · lumbosacral disease in dogs · dog spinal surgery recovery
Abstract
Three dogs were presented with lumbosacral hyperesthesia. Computerized tomography scans were performed in all the cases, and magnetic resonance imaging was also performed in cases 1 and 3. There was intervertebral disc (IVD) protrusion causing nerve root compression and epidural gas accumulation in all the three cases. The gas-filled cystic structures in cases 1 and 3 were within the spinal canal; in case 2, the gas was within the disc protrusion. The IVD vacuum phenomenon is relatively common in dogs, but the formation of an epidural gas accumulation in cases of a lumbar disc protrusion is rare. The clinical significance of these epidural gas accumulations is unknown. Two of the dogs were treated surgically, improved after surgery, and showed no signs of pain in the follow-up examinations.
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/28459053/