Applied Clinical Genetics Case Library
Signalment & History
Signalment:
- Presumed 2-year-old
- Spayed female
- Retriever mix
History:
- Rescue; Diet: Purina Pro Plan; HW Preventive: compliant; Flea/Tick Preventive: compliant; Fecal/Parasite Exam and Tx: up to date
- Had Embark done soon after being rescued
Presenting Complaint
- Owner reported that she went running outside this morning, yelped, and was suddenly unable to use her pelvic limbs.
Based on this above information, what is on your differential list?
- Type I intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCE)
- Spinal trauma
- Vascular event
- Inflammatory myelopathy
Physical Exam
- Temp: 101.2 F; Pulse: 130 bpm; Respiration: 36/min; MM: pink/moist CRT: 2 sec; BCS: 7/9; Eyes: wnl; Ears: wnl; Mouth: wnl; LN’s: wnl; Cardio: wnl; Resp: wnl; Abd: wnl; GI: wnl; MS: ambulatory paraparesis; Neuro: paralysis of pelvic limbs, loss of proprioception of the pelvic limbs, deep pain negative, pain on spinal palpation. No motor function of the pelvic limbs.
What diagnostics would you perform?
- Full Bloodwork (Click to view in new tab)
- Radiographs
- Refer to neurologist for MRI scan
What is your plan?
- T13-L1 left sided hemilaminectomy for a disc rupture.
Outcome
- She fully recovered
References/Additional Resources
- https://dvsc.com/medical_library/intervertebral-disc-disease/
- https://www.atlanticcoastvet.com/site/blog-long-island-vet/2020/08/27/ivdd-surgery-for-dogs-treatment-options
- https://youtu.be/8FUlUkHEgbQ
* Embark is not necessarily affiliated with any of these websites or references, and does not necessarily endorse their content.