Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
German shepherd dogs with triple disc protrusions
By McKee, W M & Downes, C J·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2008·Willows Referral Service, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Vertebral stabilisation and selective decompression for the management of triple thoracolumbar disc protrusions.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two German Shepherds were diagnosed with severe back problems due to three bulging discs in their spines, which caused weakness in their back legs and difficulty walking. Both dogs underwent surgery to relieve the pressure on their spinal cords and stabilize their spines using special plates designed for dogs. After the surgery, both dogs showed significant improvement in their ability to walk and had less pain. However, one dog experienced a screw breakage in the surgical hardware five months later.
People also search for: German Shepherd back problems · dog spinal surgery recovery · dog disc protrusion treatment
Abstract
Triple adjacent thoracolumbar disc protrusions causing moderate to severe spinal cord compression were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging in two German shepherd dogs with marked paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia. Both cases were managed by selective hemilaminectomy, partial annulectomy and bilateral quadruple vertebral body stabilisation using novel canine locking fixation plates (SOP). The stabilisation of multiple vertebrae in the thoracolumbar spine was possible because the plates could be contoured with six degrees of freedom. Spinal pain resolved and neurological function improved in both dogs. Screw breakage was evident in one dog five months following surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18631222/