Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery helped a dog and cat walk again after spinal bleeding
By Guo, Shanshan·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2024·CityU Veterinary Medical Centre·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Surgical treatment and outcome of haematomyelia with a traumatic cause in a dog and a cat.
Plain-English summary
A dog and a cat were brought in for sudden inability to walk after both fell from a height. They were diagnosed with a condition called haematomyelia, which is bleeding within the spinal cord. Surgery was performed to remove the blood clots causing the problem. After the surgeries, both pets showed improvement and were able to walk again, though the dog still had some issues with controlling urination and defecation nine months later. The owners were pleased with the outcomes and the quality of life for both animals.
People also search for: dog paraplegia treatment · cat spinal surgery recovery · dog urinary incontinence after surgery
Abstract
Two surgically treated haematomyelia cases were documented. One dog and one cat were presented for acute progressive paraplegia following a fall from height incident. Neurological examinations suggested a L4-S3 myelopathy in both cases. Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging in both cases revealed no fracture or subluxation of the spine, but well-defined intramedullary mass lesions in lower lumbar regions compatible with haemorrhage and haematoma formation. Exploratory surgeries were performed over the lesions. Dark-red friable masses were removed via myelotomy. Histopathological examinations revealed organizing haematomas at the acute to subacute stage. Postoperatively, both cases improved and regained ambulation. The dog walked normally but remained urinary and faecal incontinent 9 months after the surgery. The cat was continent and ambulatory with a paraparetic gait 5 months after the surgery. In both cases, the outcomes and the patients' quality of life were considered satisfactory by the owners.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38358058/