Surgical management of a coccygeal intervertebral discal hernia in a dog

Abstract

A case of paresis of the tail and associated pain arising from caudal intervertebral disc disease in a six-year-old cocker spaniel is described. The dog had a chronic history of low tail carriage, decreased mobility and episodes of acute pain. Neurological evaluation was consistent with a lesion involving the caudal part of the cauda equina. CT evaluation was consistent with a disc herniation at the intervertebral disc space Cd1-Cd2. Surgical decompression was performed by a combination of hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy. The dog had a successful long-term outcome with complete resolution of its presenting clinical signs.