Background: Extended, continuous hemilaminectomy has only been reported in small to medium sized dogs so far. It remains unclear whether excessive continuous hemilaminectomy can also be performed safely in large breed dogs.
Case Description: We describe the surgical treatment and clinical outcome of a 5-year-old German Shepherd Dog that was presented with paraplegia and deep pain perception following a short episode of bilateral hind-limb lameness, secondary to jumping off of a car. CT-myelography revealed that the paraplegia originated from extensive extradural spinal cord compression (Th6-L1), due to intervertebral disc extrusion and associated epidural hemorrhage. The dog was treated with a continuous hemilaminectomy involving nine vertebrae (Th6-L1) and recovered completely with no remaining neurological deficits, within six months.
Conclusion: The rapid, uncomplicated and complete functional recovery in the presented case emphasizes the practicability of extensive, continuous hemilaminectomies, also in large breed dogs.
Key words: Dog, epidural hemorrhage, hemilaminectomy, intervertebral disc extrusion, paraplegia
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