Thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion in dogs

A seven year old female spayed Labrador retriever-mix dog was admitted to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals with a two week history of hindlimb lameness that had occurred after falling off the exam table at the referring veterinarian's hospital. Upon arrival a neurologic exam performed indicated a T3-L3 paraparesis (Grade 0 on the left and Grade 1 on the right). Given the history and clinical signs, the differential diagnoses included trauma, neoplasia, intervertebral disk disease, and FCEM (fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy). Plain radiographs of the vertebral column and a myelogram indicated an extradural compression at the L2-3 intervertebral disk space most consistent with a diagnosis of intervertebral disk extrusion. The dog was taken to surgery and a left hemilaminaectomy was performed at the level of the L2-3 intervertebral disk space. Material recovered from the extradural space was consistent with a Hansen's Type 1 disk extrusion (nucleus pulposus). She recovered from surgery and within two days was able to fully support weight on her hindlimbs and wal short distances. She was discharged to her owners care as it appeared she would make a full recovery. Surgical correction of a T3-L3 intervertebral disk extrusion is recommended in moderate to severe paraparesis or when conservative management has failed. Prognosis for surgical decompression is influenced most by such factors as the duration or progression of the clinical signs and the presence or absence of nociception