title: Thoracolumbar disc disease in large dogs: a study of 99 cases.
abstract: The records of 99 dogs weighing over 20 kg with thoracolumbar disc disease were reviewed. Two types of disc disease were recognised: degenerative nuclear extrusion (n=63) and degenerative annular protrusion (n=36). Sixty-nine per cent of the affected discs were located between T12-T13 and L2-L3. Of the 63 dogs with degenerative nuclear extrusions, 35 were non-ambulatory and seven had no conscious pain perception at the time of presentation. Decompressive surgery was performed in 55 dogs, four dogs were managed non-surgically and three dogs were euthanased. A successful outcome was achieved in 49 (78 per cent) cases as assessed by the authors and in 53 (84 per cent) cases as assessed by the owners. Mean follow-up time was 11.7 months (range 1.5 to 48 months). Five dogs subsequently lost the ability to ambulate on their hindlimbs. Myelographic investigations in three of these dogs revealed a second thoracolumbar degenerative nuclear extrusion. Of the 36 dogs with degenerative annular protrusions, seven were non-ambulatory at the time of presentation. Fifteen cases had multiple protrusions. Twenty dogs were managed non-surgically, 12 surgically and four were euthanased. A successful outcome was achieved in eight (22 per cent) cases as assessed by the authors and in 19 (52 per cent) cases as assessed by the owners. Mean follow-up time was 9.2 months (range 1.5 to 30 months). The outcome of dogs with annular protrusions was significantly worse compared to the outcome of dogs with nuclear extrusions (P<0.001).
authors.affiliation: Willows Referral Service, 78 Tanworth Lane, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4DF.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Macias
authors.affiliation: Willows Referral Service, 78 Tanworth Lane, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4DF.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mckee
authors.affiliation: Willows Referral Service, 78 Tanworth Lane, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4DF.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: May
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 3BX.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Innes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome