Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Currently, low-level evidence suggests loss of ambulation associated with acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion is best treated by decompressive spinal surgery. Conservative management can be successful, but the proportion of dogs that recover and the fate of herniated material are uncertain.

Objectives

Determine the proportion of nonambulatory dogs with conservatively treated acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion that recover ambulation and measure the change in spinal cord compression during the first 12 weeks after presentation.

Animals

Seventy-two client-owned nonambulatory dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study. Enrolled dogs underwent magnetic resonance imaging at presentation and owner

SUBMITTER: Khan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11423491 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature