Caudal cervical intervertebral disk disease in the small dog: role of distraction and stabilization in ventral slot decompression

The clinical outcomes in 112 dogs weighing less than 35 pounds that were presented with cervical intervertebral disk protrusions were retrospectively evaluated. Although the second to third cervical (C2 to C3) intervertebral space was the most common site (27%) of disk protrusion, 57% of disk protrusions presented were caudal to the fourth cervical (C4) vertebra. Dogs with cranial intervertebral disk protrusions, including the C2 to C3 and C3 to C4 intervertebral disk spaces, responded favorably to ventral slot decompression. By comparison, caudal intervertebral disk protrusions (within the C4 to the seventh cervical [C7] intervertebral disk spaces) responded less favorably to ventral slot decompression, demonstrating significantly more severe clinical effects in motor function, comfort, recovery, and long-term outcome following surgery. Significant improvement in clinical results was seen in caudal disk protrusions when additional surgical distraction and stabilization were provided following ventral slot decompression.