Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Can F-wave tests predict recovery in paraplegic dogs after disc
By Togawa, Go et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prognostic Utility of F-Waves in Paraplegic Dogs With Absent Pain Perception Secondary to Intervertebral Disc Extrusion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 30 dogs that were paralyzed and unable to feel pain due to a slipped disc in their spine underwent surgery to try to regain movement. After surgery, the veterinarians measured a specific nerve response called F-waves to help predict which dogs would recover. They found that dogs with longer F-wave durations were less likely to walk again after three months. In fact, only 12 out of the 30 dogs were able to walk independently after the treatment, suggesting that F-waves could be useful for veterinarians in assessing recovery potential in similar cases.
People also search for: dog paralysis treatment · slipped disc surgery recovery in dogs · F-wave testing in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Approximately 50%-60% of paraplegic deep pain negative (DPN) dogs secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL-IVDE) recover ambulation after surgery. Mean F-wave duration has been associated with injury severity in TL-IVDE in dogs, but the relationship to outcome is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the prognostic utility of F-waves in DPN dogs secondary to TL-IVDE treated surgically. ANIMALS: Thirty client-owned, acutely paraplegic DPN dogs secondary to TL-IVDE were managed surgically. METHODS: Multi-center prospective and observational study. F-waves were performed at baseline (within 24 h post-operatively), 2-4 weeks and 3 months post-operatively. Outcome was categorized as successful or unsuccessful, with success defined as independent ambulation at 3 months post-operatively. F-wave variables were compared between dogs with a successful or unsuccessful outcome and over time using generalized estimating equations. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were generated for baseline F-wave variables. RESULTS: F-waves were well-tolerated in all dogs. Of 30 enrolled dogs, 12 dogs had a successful outcome, 10 dogs were unsuccessful, and 8 dogs were removed from outcome analysis (3 progressive myelomalacia, 1 severe spinal shock, 2 technical error, and 2 unknown outcome). Baseline mean F-wave duration (displayed as median (range)) was longer in unsuccessful dogs (31.7 (11.4-60.8) ms) versus successful dogs (19.6 (10.8-27.3) ms), p = 0.003. Mean F-wave duration > 28.5 ms was 70% sensitive (95% confidence interval (CI): 40%-100%) and 100% specific (95% CI: 100%-100%) in predicting an unsuccessful outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: F-waves performed shortly post-operatively could aid in predicting outcomes in DPN dogs secondary to TL-IVDE treated surgically.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40214518/