Diagnosis and treatment of fibrocartilaginous embolism in a small dog: Case Report

Abstract

Myelopathy due to fibrocartilaginous embolism is characterized by an infarction of the spinal cord caused by fibrocartilaginous embolism identical to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Of rare occurrence and described mainly in adult and large dogs, it can also be found in small dogs. The present report occurred in a two and a half year old canine, West Highland White Terrier, who was treated at a veterinary hospital with sudden tetraparesis, where he remained hospitalized for twenty one days and after being discharged, treatment for sixty days. The diagnosis was made through clinical signs, biochemical tests to exclude differential diagnoses and computed tomography that identified the thrombus in the cervical region. The treatment consisted of nursing care, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture sessions. After 180 days of spinal cord injury, the animal had the right front limb without full elbow flexion as a sequel of a probable brachial plexus injury, with sensitivity to deep pain, walkking with the aid of a walker and rising alone.