Evaluation of the success of medical management for presumptive cervical intervertebral disk herniation in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the success of medical management of presumptive cervical disk herniation in dogs and variables associated with treatment outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Dogs (n=88) with presumptive cervical disk herniation.


METHODS
Dogs with presumptive cervical and thoracolumbar disk herniation were identified from medical records at 2 clinics and clients were mailed a questionnaire related to the success of therapy, clinical recurrence of signs, and quality of life (QOL) as interpreted by the owner. Signalment, duration and degree of neurologic dysfunction, and medication administration were determined from medical records.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven percent of dogs (84/87) with complete information were described as ambulatory at initial evaluation. Successful treatment was reported for 48.9% of dogs with 33% having recurrence of clinical signs and 18.1% having therapeutic failure. Bivariable logistic regression showed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration was associated with success (P=.035; odds ratio [OR]=2.52). Duration of cage rest and glucocorticoid administration were not significantly associated with success or QOL. Dogs with less-severe neurologic dysfunction were more likely to have a successful outcome (OR=2.56), but this association was not significant (P=.051).


CONCLUSIONS
Medical management can lead to an acceptable outcome in many dogs with presumptive cervical disk herniation. Based on these data, NSAIDs should be considered as part of the therapeutic regimen. Cage rest duration and glucocorticoid administration do not appear to benefit these dogs, but this should be interpreted cautiously because of the retrospective data collection and use of client self-administered questionnaire follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide insight into the success of medical management for presumptive cervical disk herniation in dogs and may allow for refinement of treatment protocols.
Levine
Jonathan M
JM
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA. jlevine@cvm.tamu.edu
Levine
Gwendolyn J
GJ
Johnson
Scott I
SI
Kerwin
Sharon C
SC
Hettlich
Bianca F
BF
Fosgate
Geoffrey T
GT
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006547:Hernia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005938:Glucocorticoids