Postoperative outcome of ambulatory dogs with intervertebral disc extrusion causing incontinence and/or tail dysfunction: 18 cases (2010-2020)

R Pfund, A K Forward, R Fentem, A Nagendran, A R Fraser, A H Crawford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

OBJECTIVES: To assess the recovery of urinary continence, faecal continence and tail function in ambulatory dogs with caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion and to explore clinical factors that may be associated with recovery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from January 2010 to December 2020 were searched to identify ambulatory dogs undergoing surgical treatment for a caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion causing urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence and/or tail dysfunction. Signalment, history, presenting clinical signs, neurological examination findings, diagnostic test results, treatment and outcome were recorded for all dogs.

RESULTS: Eighteen dogs with caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion causing tail dysfunction, urinary and/or faecal incontinence were included. Urinary continence was recovered in 12 (86%) of 14 affected dogs, faecal continence recovered in nine (90%) of 10 affected dogs and tail function recovered in 13 (87%) of 15 affected dogs. Loss of tail nociception was recorded in three dogs on presentation; two made a full recovery and one showed mild persistent tail paresis.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prognosis for functional recovery of urinary continence, faecal continence and tail function in ambulatory dogs with caudal lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion following surgical treatment is good. Larger studies are needed to identify prognostic factors associated with failure of recovery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)550-558
Number of pages9
JournalThe Journal of small animal practice
Volume63
Issue number7
Early online date23 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 23 Mar 2022

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases/diagnosis
  • Dogs
  • Intervertebral Disc
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging/veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tail/surgery
  • Urinary Incontinence/etiology

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