Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with neck disc disease treated by vertebral screw surgery
By P.V.T. Marinho et al.·Published in Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Placement of vertebral screws for spinal stabilization and distraction in a dog with disc-associate cervical spondylomyelopathy: case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old male Rottweiler was brought in for recurrent weakness in his front legs that had been happening for two months. After a thorough examination and MRI, he was diagnosed with disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy, a condition affecting the neck. The dog underwent surgery to stabilize his spine using screws and bars, which helped relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Four months later, he showed no signs of neurological issues and had a good recovery, making this surgical approach a promising option for similar cases in dogs.
People also search for: Rottweiler forelimb weakness · dog neck surgery recovery · cervical spondylomyelopathy treatment in dogs
Abstract
ABSTRACT A 10-year-old male Rottweiler was evaluated for a 2-month history of recurrent forelimb weakness. Neurologic examination revealed proprioceptive ataxia, tetraparesis and moderate cervical pain. Disk-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) with static lesion at C3-4 was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The dog was surgically treated by a ventral slot procedure and distraction-stabilization of the vertebral bodies through insertion of vertebral screws with transverse connective bars. The patient had favorable clinical outcome. Neurologic assessment performed 120 days after surgery showed absence of neurologic defects. Radiographic assessment performed at the same time indicated adequate spinal cord decompression although vertebral fusion was not achieved. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of distraction-stabilization with vertebral (pedicle) screws to treat CSM in a dog. The treatment was well tolerated with no complications and excellent outcome and can be a viable option for this condition.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-9538