IVDD - protrusion

Question 1

Prevalence

Answer 1

• very common in dogs

Question 2

Presentation

Answer 2

• tends to be progressive presentation in older dogs which is associated with intervertebral disc degeneration
• it produces CS predominantly by compression of the spinal cord or associated nerve roots
• can occur in the thoracolumbar, cervical or lumbosacral region

Question 3

Diagnosis

Answer 3

• can only be made with advanced imaging, ideally MRI
• radiography may show evidence for disc degeneration, but will not give an accurate diagnosis

Question 4

Treatment

Answer 4

• either by conservative management or surgical decompression
• IVDD protrusion is rarely presented as an acute emergency but usually a progressive problem
• acute exacerbation of a chronic protrusion by excessive movement of the spine can result in a combination of concussive and compressive pathology, this may respond well to conservative management
• progressive neurological deterioration or chronic pain may warrant referral for advanced imaging and consideration for decompressive surgery
• post-surgical deterioration is common with chronic lesions, hopefully only a transient phenomenon

Question 5

What can chronic compression result in?

Answer 5

• focal spinal cord atrophy (e.g. DAWS [disc associated wobblers syndrome])