Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Beagle cross dog's tail paralysis fixed by spinal surgery
By Potanas, C P et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2012·Angell Animal Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Surgical decompression of a caudal vertebral disc extrusion by dorsal laminectomy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3.5-year-old female spayed Beagle cross was brought to the vet after suddenly losing the ability to move her tail. Despite this paralysis, she could still feel pain in the area. X-rays showed a problem with the vertebrae near her tail, so the vet performed surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves. Just four days after the surgery, she started to regain movement in her tail, and by 11 days post-surgery, she was back to normal with no pain. A follow-up visit 76 days later confirmed she was still doing well and had full range of motion in her tail.
People also search for: dog tail paralysis treatment · Beagle tail injury recovery · dog surgery for tail movement
Abstract
A 3.5-year-old female spayed Beagle cross was presented to our emergency and referral facility for the complaint of acute onset paralysis of the tail. A full physical and neurological examination was performed which confirmed the absence of motor function in the tail. Signs of superficial and deep pain sensation to the tail remained intact. Orthogonal view survey radiographs identified mineralization superimposed over the intervertebral foramen of the first and second caudal vertebrae. A dorsal laminectomy was performed for surgical decompression of the caudal nerve roots. On the fourth postoperative day, the patient exhibited good motor function of the tail. Neurological improvement continued and 11 days postoperatively the patient demonstrated normal neurological function, free range-of-motion of the tail, and it did not exhibit any signs of pain. Follow-up examination was performed 76 days after surgery, at which time the patient exhibited normal neurological function and signs of a pain-free range-of-motion on manipulation of its tail.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21976157/