Foraminotomy as a treatment for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in a dog
Case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v20n4e1931Keywords:
Analgesia, diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, spinal cord compressionAbstract
Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLS) causes compression of the cauda equina and progressive neurological deficits. This report describes a Great Dane presenting with lumbosacral pain, paraparesis, and urinary incontinence, with no response to conservative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed foraminal stenosis at L7–S1, and a foraminotomy was performed to decompress the L7 nerve root. On the fourth postoperative day, the dog sustained blunt trauma, resulting in an L6 vertebral fracture and neurological deterioration, ultimately leading to euthanasia. This case highlights the usefulness of foraminotomy, as well as the potential risks of postoperative complications in large-breed dogs, which show a higher prevalence of this condition.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Carolina Garcia Carreira, Victor Menchini Marchi Vitali, Mariana Pacheco de Sousa, Paloma Iannicelli dos Reis, Ana Paula Este de Araújo
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