Intervertebral Disc Disease

• Name: Cody
• Age at Evaluation: 10 years
• Breed: Chihuahua
• Evaluation Date: 3/10/04
• Presenting Complaint: Neck pain, falling over, weakness in all four limbs
• History: Cody had neck surgery for a herniated disc 2 months prior to presentation and recovered well. Then, he herniated another disc in his neck. He was referred by his surgeon in the hopes of avoiding a second surgery. We were given 1 week to see improvement or he was being sent back to surgery.
• Exam Findings: Neck pain; able to stand without assistance; weak in all four limbs; and could only go a few steps without falling over.
• Goals: To reduce pain, improve mobility, and avoid a second surgery. Treatment Plan: Hospitalization, pain management (Fentanyl patch, codeine), Pulsed Signal Therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, whirlpool, weight loss, nutritional therapy, strict rest, heat/cold therapy.
• Outcome: By 3/14/04, Cody was no longer falling over or in pain; was able to lift his leg to urinate again; and wagging his tail.
• Latest Update: 3/22/04 Cody is a normal dog, but should eliminate high impact exercise, such as jumping off of furniture, to avoid a relapse in the future.

• Name: Boo
• Age at Evaluation: 9 years
• Breed: Dachshund
• Evaluation Date: 1/23/04 Presenting Complaint: Hindlimb paralysis
• History: Boo had been unable to walk for 1 week prior to presentation.
• Exam Findings: Unable to walk or stand; very little movement in limbs; paralyzed. Suspected IVDD at T3-L3.
• Goals: Short term-pain management. Long term-ambulation.
• Treatment Plan: Boo received an acupuncture treatment, and was then, immediately sent to an emergency clinic for 24 hours of IV steroids and possibly surgery. On 1/24/04 Boo had back surgery to relieve spinal cord compression due to a herniated disc, and then returned to us the following day for in-patient rehab where he received acupuncture, neuromuscular stimulation, assisted standing and walking, cold/heat therapy, underwater treadmill therapy, and eventually land treadmill.
• Outcome: 2/20/04 Boo was walking and able to make it up one stair.
• Latest Update: Boo is now close to normal.

• Name: Hannibal
• Age at Evaluation: 8 years
• Breed: Dachshund
• Evaluation Date: 2/3/03
• Presenting Complaint: Hindlimb paralysis
• History: On 1/10/03 he went down in his hind end; had back surgery at L1-L2 on 1/11/03. He was non-ambulatory and was being towel walked. Exam Findings: Non-ambulatory. Unable to support weight on hindlimbs. Some movement present.
• Goals: Unassisted ambulation and, ideally, return to normal function.
• Treatment Plan: Underwater treadmill 2 times per week, passive range of motion, and acupuncture.
• Outcome: By 2/14/03, Hannibal was walking down our halls unassisted.
• Latest Update: As of 3/2/04, Hannibal has a normal life, with only very mild neurological deficits (mild hindlimb ataxia). He goes on walks in the park and does everything he used to do before his back surgery.