Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical removal of microchip from two cats' spinal cords
By Mergl, Justin et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2023·From Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency and Speciality Hospital, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fluoroscopy-Guided Surgical Removal of a Microchip from the Spinal Canal of Two Cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two cats experienced sudden weakness on their left side after getting microchips implanted. A vet found that the microchips had moved into the spinal canal, causing the problem. Using a special imaging technique called fluoroscopy, the vets were able to safely remove the microchips from the cats' spines. Both cats showed improvement and were able to walk again within 48 hours after the surgery, with no major complications during the procedure. This less invasive method helped avoid more complicated surgeries that can have higher risks.
People also search for: cat weakness after microchip · cat spinal surgery recovery · microchip removal surgery for cats
Abstract
Two cats were presented with acute left-sided paresis after implantation of a microchip at the referring veterinary clinic. Neurological examinations were consistent with left-sided lesions between spinal cord segments C1 and C5. Orthogonal radiographs of the cervical spine showed a microchip dorsoventrally oriented, partially embedded in the cervical vertebral canal. Fluoroscopy was used to localize and retrieve the foreign body from the cervical spinal cord in each case. Improvement in clinical condition and return to ambulation was observed in both cats within 48 hr of surgical removal of the implant. No significant perioperative adverse events were noted during the surgical retrieval of the microchip. Two previously reported cases of intraspinal canal microchip placement had been treated surgically by hemilaminectomy. This approach carries a risk of complications, including hemorrhage from the venous sinus, iatrogenic damage to the spinal cord, and improper identification of the surgical site, requires advanced surgical training, and typically has an extended surgical time. The use of fluoroscopy to assist intraoperative localization of a spinal canal foreign body may lessen the requirement for more invasive surgical procedures.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37432786/