Spinal decompression in a black bear.
A 17-year-old black bear was examined because of posterior paralysis. Radiography revealed a narrowed disk space at T10-11, indicating a ruptured intervertebral disk. Subsequently, a dorsolateral hemilaminectomy was performed. Recovery from paralysis was slow because of the size of the animal (127 kg) and lack of appropriate physical therapy. When evaluated more than 1 year later, however, the bear had no signs of neurologic deficits.
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000601:surgery*; D002335:Carnivora / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D001503:Ursidae / Q000601:surgery*