The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Canine Thoracolumbar Interverterbral Disk Herniation

Intervertebral Disk Herniation(IVDH) is the final result of intervertebral disk degeneration as well as the main cause of canine disneuria.T11-T12 and L2-L3 appear to be the most frequent(over 85%) sites of origin for dogs suffering from IVDH. IVDH cases can be divided into TypeⅠ and Type Ⅱ according to Hansen’s Classic Study. It is revealed by clinical studies that, most IVDH dogs can be treated by medical therapy, although most veterinarians prefer surgeries. The present study established a standard diagnosis and treatment mode based on relevant literature and ten IVDH cases collected from the department of veterinary, National Chung Hsing University, the results of deep pain test is regarded as the prognostic indicator, the ability of walking and normal urination are regarded as the treatment success of IVDH. That is, steroid drugs combined with neuroprotective agents are administrated for one week at first visit, for further visit, the detailed treatment methods depend on the previous therapeutic effects. If the dogs improve a lot, neuroprotective agents should be given continuously, if the dogs don’t get better or even become more severe, surgeries should be recommended and follow-up acupuncture therapy would be necessary.