Suspected ischaemic myelopathy following lumbosacral epidural steroid injection in a dog

Abstract

An 11-year-old, female, spayed crossbreed with an 18-month history of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis presented for routine epidural steroid injection 4 months after previous injection. Following epidural steroid injection, the dog developed severe left hindlimb paresis with reduced to absent sciatic reflexes, delayed conscious proprioception in the limb, absence of anal tone and lower motor neuron urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which demonstrated findings consistent with an ischaemic myelopathy. The dog's left hindlimb paresis improved on cage rest; however, urinary incontinence remained. The dog was subsequently euthanased due to qualityof-life concerns. This is the first published report of suspected ischaemic myelopathy developing in a dog after epidural steroid injection.