engleski

Spinal trauma in dogs in emergency rescue program "Noina Arka"

Spinal trauma is a condition with devastating effects in dogs. It can damage the vertebra, disc, meninges, spinal cord or any combination of these. In abandoned dogs the history of trauma is usually unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and outcome of spinal trauma in dogs admitted through the “Noina arka“ emergency rescue program for traumatised stray dogs. The medical records of dogs with spinal trauma admitted through the emergency rescue program over a period of 7 years were reviewed. Spinal trauma inclusion criteria consisted of: vertebral fracture, luxation or subluxation, prolapsed intervertebral disc, or coccygeal vertebrae amputation. A total of 44 dogs qualified under the inclusion criteria (22 males and 22 females). Their age was evaluated according to the available data, and the dogs were divided into age categories. Thirteen dogs (29.54 %) were younger than 1 year old, while 6 dogs (13.63 %) were geriatric, older than 10 years. Most of the injuries were anatomically localized in the thoracolumbar region (T11 – L3) and the lumbosacral part of the vertebral column (L6 – S1). There was only one cervical spine trauma. The most common findings included intervertebral disk protrusion (44.44%) and vertebral fracture (39.68%). Vertebral luxation (4.76%), subluxation (3.17%) and coccygeal amputation (4.67%) were found in fewer cases. More than one injury was present in 34% of dogs. Only two dogs were surgically treated due to the uncertain prognosis and outcome of treatment. The serious clinical condition and neurological damage in 20/44 dogs (45.45%) resulted in euthanasia, 8/44 dogs (18.18%) died, while 16/44 (36.36%) successfully recovered from the spinal injury. Vertebral trauma outcome was associated with localisation, severity of injury and method of treatment. The high mortality rate in abandoned dogs with clinically and radiologically diagnosed vertebral trauma additionally increased due to the long recovery period, dubious outcome and costs.

spine, trauma, emergency rescue program

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