The vast majority of dogs with cervical disk herniation experience cervical pain and only mild motor deficits; therefore, not much is known about the factors that predict recovery in dogs with nonambulatory tetraparesis (NAT) secondary to cervical disk herniation. In this retrospective study, we tested the hypothesis that two previously reported prognostic factors, site of disk herniation and severity of neurological deficits, are useful predictors of complete recovery. Overall, 20 (62%) of 32 dogs with cervical disk herniation-associated NAT had complete recovery. Site of disk herniation was not a significant predictor of complete recovery; dogs with high cervical lesions (C2 to C3, C3 to C4) did not have a higher likelihood of complete recovery than other dogs. Likewise, severity of neurological deficits (i.e., intact voluntary motor function versus absent voluntary motor function) was not a significant predictor of complete recovery. Using stepwise logistic regression, two significant predictors of complete recovery were identified. Small dogs (δ15 kg body weight) were six times more likely to achieve complete recovery than larger dogs. Dogs that regained the ability to walk within 96 hours after surgery were seven times more likely to completely recover than dogs not walking 96 hours after surgery. We conclude that neither the site of disk herniation nor severity of neurological deficits assists the clinician in predicting postoperative outcome in dogs with cervical disk herniation-associated NAT. Reliable preoperative predictors of complete recovery are needed to advance current diagnostic and treatment protocols to improve overall prognosis.
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July/August 2009
Neurology|
July 01 2009
Reevaluation of Predictive Factors for Complete Recovery in Dogs With Nonambulatory Tetraparesis Secondary to Cervical Disk Herniation
Robert B. Hillman, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS;
Robert B. Hillman, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Hillman, Waters), School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2026
The Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation (Kengeri, Waters), 3000 Kent Avenue, Suite E2-100, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
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Seema S. Kengeri, MPH;
Seema S. Kengeri, MPH
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Hillman, Waters), School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2026
The Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation (Kengeri, Waters), 3000 Kent Avenue, Suite E2-100, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
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David J. Waters, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
David J. Waters, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Hillman, Waters), School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2026
The Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation (Kengeri, Waters), 3000 Kent Avenue, Suite E2-100, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
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J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2009) 45 (4): 155–163.
Citation
Robert B. Hillman, Seema S. Kengeri, David J. Waters; Reevaluation of Predictive Factors for Complete Recovery in Dogs With Nonambulatory Tetraparesis Secondary to Cervical Disk Herniation. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 July 2009; 45 (4): 155–163. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/0450155
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