Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rapid paralysis in dogs from thoracolumbar disc and epidural bleeding
By Tartarelli, C L et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2005·Clinica Veterinaria Valdinievole, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thoracolumbar disc extrusion associated with extensive epidural haemorrhage: a retrospective study of 23 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 23 dogs experienced severe back problems due to a condition called thoracolumbar disc extrusion, which was complicated by significant bleeding around the spinal cord. These dogs showed rapid decline in their ability to move, with many unable to walk. They underwent a surgical procedure called extensive hemilaminectomy to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Most of the dogs, 21 out of 23, recovered well and were able to walk again, although two dogs that had lost deep pain perception before surgery did not improve. Follow-up showed that a small number of dogs had a recurrence of the disc issue after surgery.
People also search for: dog back problems · dog surgery for disc extrusion · dog unable to walk after back injury
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features and outcome in dogs suffering from thoracolumbar disc extrusion associated with extensive epidural haemorrhage (DEEH) and treated with extensive hemilaminectomy (from three to seven vertebrae). METHODS: The records of 23 dogs with surgically confirmed DEEH were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: All cases were characterised by rapid progression to severe neurological dysfunction (grade III, V and VI). Myelography was performed in 21 cases and showed an absence (16 cases) or attenuation (five cases) of contrast medium column along three to seven vertebrae. In two dogs, magnetic resonance imaging was accurate in confirming extradural compression due to disc material and haemorrhage, determining the extent of compression and side of the lesion. All cases were treated surgically with extensive hemilaminectomy involving all the compressed spinal segments. Twenty-one dogs (91 per cent) recovered and regained ambulatory function. Two dogs, without deep pain perception before surgery, did not improve. A two-year follow-up history was available for 15 dogs. Disc extrusion recurred in two dogs (9 per cent), two and 20 months after surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Extensive hemilaminectomy can adequately decompress the spinal cord after DEEH and may produce a recovery and recurrence rate similar to thoracolumbar disc extrusion not complicated by extensive epidural haemorrhage.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16245662/