Two dogs presented with acute tetraparesis, hypoventilation, and bradycardia with a second-degree atrioventricular heart block. Neurological examination localized both lesions to the cervical spine. Diagnostic imaging revealed a ventral extradural compression at the second to third cervical (C2–C3) region in one dog and at the third to fourth cervical (C3–C4) region in the other. Following surgical correction of the extruded disk, the hypoventilation and bradycardia resolved. Cervical disk extrusions are a common cause of acute tetraparesis in the dog. This report shows that respiratory and cardiac complications may occur concurrently. The authors recommend screening dogs with cervical myelopathies for respiratory and cardiac dysfunctions and treating appropriately. Prompt surgical intervention and supportive care can improve the prognosis.
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November/December 2003
Emergency and Critical Care|
November 01 2003
Severe Respiratory Compromise Secondary to Cervical Disk Herniation in Two Dogs
Stephanie Kube, DVM;
Stephanie Kube, DVM
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Kube), University of California, Davis, California 95616 and the
VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital (Owen, Hanson), 1818 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90025
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Tina Owen, DVM, Diplomate ACVS;
Tina Owen, DVM, Diplomate ACVS
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Kube), University of California, Davis, California 95616 and the
VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital (Owen, Hanson), 1818 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90025
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Stephen Hanson, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Stephen Hanson, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Kube), University of California, Davis, California 95616 and the
VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital (Owen, Hanson), 1818 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90025
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J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2003) 39 (6): 513–517.
Citation
Stephanie Kube, Tina Owen, Stephen Hanson; Severe Respiratory Compromise Secondary to Cervical Disk Herniation in Two Dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 November 2003; 39 (6): 513–517. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/0390513
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