Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Disk disease in large dogs causing back pain and surgery outcomes
By Cudia, S P & Duval, J M·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·1997·Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in large, nonchondrodystrophic dogs: a retrospective study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of large mixed-breed dogs, averaging 6.6 years old, was diagnosed with a serious back condition called thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease, which caused sudden weakness and pain. Most of these dogs underwent surgery called laminectomy to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. After surgery, about 90% of the dogs were able to walk again within seven weeks, although some still had lingering issues. A small number of dogs experienced a recurrence of disk problems at a different site after their surgery.
People also search for: dog back pain surgery · large dog intervertebral disk disease · mixed-breed dog walking problems after surgery
Abstract
Medical records of 62 large, nonchondrodystrophic dogs diagnosed with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease between March 1986 and February 1996 were reviewed. Fifty-seven (92%), primarily mixed-breed dogs (mean age, 6.6 years) had Hansen type I disease. Fifty-eight percent had acute onset. The interspace between the first (L1) and second (L2) lumbar vertebrae was affected most commonly. The outcomes of the 48 dogs available for follow-up after undergoing laminectomies were evaluated. Surgical success rate and mean time to walking for nonambulatory dogs with deep pain perception was 90% and seven weeks, respectively. Thirty-nine percent had residual deficits. Following surgery, 12% had recurrence of disk protrusion/extrusion at a different site.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9278123/