Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Spinal arachnoid cysts in two shih tzu littermates.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary record
- Year:
- 1998
- Authors:
- Ness, M G
- Affiliation:
- Croft Veterinary Surgeons
Plain-English summary
Two shih tzu puppies from the same litter were having trouble walking and moving their legs due to similar fluid-filled sacs called spinal arachnoid cysts in their neck area. The vets performed surgery to treat these cysts, which involved creating an opening to drain them. One puppy recovered well and has been healthy for over a year since the surgery. Unfortunately, the other puppy did not improve as expected and eventually had to be put to sleep because their condition got worse. After the second puppy passed away, a thorough examination showed that the cysts had not come back.
Abstract
Progressive ataxia and quadriparesis in two shih tzu littermates was found to be caused by almost identical, cranial cervical, spinal arachnoid cysts. The cysts were treated surgically by dural marsupialization via a dorsal laminectomy. One pup recovered uneventfully and remains clinically normal more than a year after surgery. The second pup made a slow and incomplete recovery before the signs worsened, necessitating euthanasia. Postmortem examination showed no evidence of the re-formation of the cyst.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9618876/