Intervertebral disc herniation in two coatis (Nasua nasua) and postoperative laminectomy membrane formation.

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal cord compression due to intervertebral disc herniation of Hansen type I and II in the thoracolumbar vertebral column in two middle-aged coatis (Nasua nasua) with chronic progressive paraparesis. Surgical treatment included hemilaminectomy and partial corpectomy in one and dorsal laminectomy in the other coati. Both coatis recovered well after surgery. One showed unremarkable gait 6 and 15 months post surgery, while the other one suffered from recurrence of paraparesis leading to euthanasia because of deterioration of neurological signs 20 months after the first surgery. Necropsy revealed formation of a laminectomy membrane compressing the spinal cord. Histopathological signs of spinal cord injury and findings of degenerative processes in the intervertebral disc were comparable to those described in dogs. In conclusion, this case report shows for the first time that surgical intervention seems to be a useful and safe treatment in chronic intervertebral disc herniation in coatis, but relapses are possible.

Influence of in-house rehabilitation on the postoperative outcome of dogs with intervertebral disk herniation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of in-house rehabilitation on the postoperative outcome of dogs with intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 248) under 20 kg of weight, with single site, thoracolumbar, Hansen Type I IVDH. PROCEDURES: Medical records of non-ambulatory dogs with IVDH treated via hemilaminectomy were reviewed. Dogs were classified in 2 groups depending on whether their postoperative management included an in-house rehabilitation program. Preoperative and sequential postoperative modified Frankel scores (MFSs) were recorded. Time to ambulation, time to normal conscious proprioception, final MFS, and complications were compared between the groups. RESULTS: More dogs returned to full neurologic function (final MFS of Grade 5) when in-house rehabilitation was included in the postoperative management (33% compared to 9%). Normal conscious proprioception and ambulation returned earlier in the control group (42 days and 14 days, respectively) compared to the group with rehabilitation (49 days and 28 days, respectively). The complication rate was higher in the control group (29%) compared with the group with rehabilitation (16%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In-house rehabilitation should be included in the postoperative management in dogs after surgical treatment of IVDH to improve neurologic function and reduce postoperative complications.