Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Recovery after surgery for dogs with disc extrusion causing
By Pfund, R et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2022·Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Postoperative outcome of ambulatory dogs with intervertebral disc extrusion causing incontinence and/or tail dysfunction: 18 cases (2010-2020).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 18 dogs with back problems caused by intervertebral disc extrusion (a condition where a disc in the spine bulges out) were treated surgically after showing symptoms like urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and tail dysfunction. After surgery, most of the dogs showed significant improvement: 86% regained their ability to control urination, 90% regained control over bowel movements, and 87% had their tail function restored. The prognosis for recovery was generally good, with most dogs returning to normal function within a few months.
People also search for: dog incontinence after back surgery · intervertebral disc extrusion treatment · dog tail dysfunction recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the recovery of urinary continence, faecal continence and tail function in ambulatory dogs with caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion and to explore clinical factors that may be associated with recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from January 2010 to December 2020 were searched to identify ambulatory dogs undergoing surgical treatment for a caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion causing urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence and/or tail dysfunction. Signalment, history, presenting clinical signs, neurological examination findings, diagnostic test results, treatment and outcome were recorded for all dogs. RESULTS: Eighteen dogs with caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion causing tail dysfunction, urinary and/or faecal incontinence were included. Urinary continence was recovered in 12 (86%) of 14 affected dogs, faecal continence recovered in nine (90%) of 10 affected dogs and tail function recovered in 13 (87%) of 15 affected dogs. Loss of tail nociception was recorded in three dogs on presentation; two made a full recovery and one showed mild persistent tail paresis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prognosis for functional recovery of urinary continence, faecal continence and tail function in ambulatory dogs with caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion following surgical treatment is good. Larger studies are needed to identify prognostic factors associated with failure of recovery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35322412/