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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 550-558 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | The Journal of small animal practice |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 7 |
Early online date | 23 Mar 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-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