Lateral intervertebral disk extrusion causing lameness in a dog
Bagley, R.S.; Pluhar, G.E.; Alexander, J.E.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 205(2): 181-3; Discussion 183-5
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 7928570 Document Number: 426777
A 3-year-old female Cocker Spaniel was examined for evaluation of right hind limb lameness of 1 month duration and which had not responded to exercise restriction or aspirin administration. Signs of pain were seen in the hip and there was marked atrophy of the right quadriceps muscle and to a lesser extent in the right gluteals. A specific site of spinal hyperesthesia was not found on palpation of the dorsal vertebrae but the dog intermittently cried out as if in pain. On radiographs of the lumbar vertebrae a subtle narrowing of the L5-L6 intervertebral disk space was evident. This narrowing on the right side of the spinal cord between L4 to L6 was confirmed by contrast radiography. A region of dense material was seen in the area of the right transverse process of L6. The material which appeared to be luxated intervertebral disc was removed surgically and the dog recovered completely.