CASE 42   SIGNALMENT: 5 ½ year-old female Dachshund  HISTORY: One year ago the dog experienced hindlimb paralysis and was diagnosed with a ruptured intervertebral disc at the L1-2 disc space.  A surgical decompression was done at a university teaching hospital and the dog subsequently recovered.  She presented upon referral with an acute history of sudden onset hindlimb paralysis.  PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:

Figure 1 Ventrodorsal radiographic view of the myelogram showing the T11-12 spinal cord lesion.  The old disc lesion at L1-2 can be seen also.

Hindlimb paralysis with minimal voluntary motor movement in the rear limbs.  The left rear was worse than the right.  Reflexes were upper motor neuron and there was hyperesthesia in the caudal thoracic region. DIAGNOSTICS: A lumbar-puncture CSF tap was done and a myelogram revealed a second disc herniation at T11-12 (figure 1).  Residual compression can be appreciated at the L1-2 disc site where the previous surgery was done.  TREATMENT: Spinal cord decompression was done via a left-sided hemilaminectomy at T11-12.  FOLLOW-UP: The dog was ambulatory 24 hours after surgical decompression.  ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Thank you to Dr. Khris Keller, Quail Creek Veterinary Clinic, Skiatook, Oklahoma, for this referral.  CASE ARCHIVES:  Click on Case Archives to access a list of past case features.