Risk factors for recurrence of clinical signs associated with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in dogs: 229 cases (1994-2000).
OBJECTIVE
To assess risk factors for recurrence of clinical signs associated with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in dogs that had decompressive laminectomy without attempted prophylactic treatment of other disk spaces.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
229 dogs.


METHODS
Medical records of dogs that had decompressive laminectomy without prophylactic fenestration for a first episode of IVDD and were available for follow-up were reviewed. Information on 7 clinical and 8 radiographic potential risk factors were recorded.


RESULTS
Clinical signs associated with recurrence of IVDD developed in 44 (19.2%) dogs. Ninety-six percent of recurrences developed within 3 years after surgery. Recurrence developed in 25% of Dachshunds and 15% of dogs of other breeds combined. Number of opacified disks was a significant risk factor for recurrence. Risk increased with number of opacified disks in an almost linear manner; each opacified disk increased risk by 1.4 times. Dogs with 5 or 6 opacified disks at the time of first surgery had a recurrence rate of 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
When all likely episodes of recurrence are considered and a long follow-up period is achieved, true rate of recurrence of IVDD appears to be higher than in many previous reports. Dogs with multiple opacified disks at the time of first surgery should be considered a high-risk subpopulation.
Mayhew
Philipp D
PD
Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, USA.
McLear
Robert C
RC
Ziemer
Lisa S
LS
Culp
William T N
WT
Russell
Kelli N
KN
Shofer
Frances S
FS
Kapatkin
Amy S
AS
Smith
Gail K
GK
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006547:Hernia / Q000662:veterinary*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome