Retrospective Evaluation of Spinal Trauma Treatments in 58 Cats and 12 Dogs

Traumatic vertebral fractures and/or dislocations in cats and dogs can cause severe spinal cord injury, resulting in severe conditions such as pain, urinary incontinence, paresis or paraplegia. This study involved 58 cats and 12 dogs with external spinal trauma, and it was aimed to present the etiology, treatment and results, retrospectively. After the location of the neurological damage was determined, the patients were treated either conservatively or surgically. One of the surgical methods such as polyaxial screw, locking plate application and external fixation application was decided. In the treated animals, complete recovery was seen in 10 cats and functional recovery in 14 cats and 1 dog, but 12 cats and 2 dogs were in poor condition. Loss of deep pain sensation after spinal trauma is important for prognosis. Although there are many different treatment options, the decision should be made according to the patient's condition and the surgeon's preference. In addition, patients with spinal trauma also require serious trauma management and it is very important that the animal's vital values are stable.