Vertebral body deformation causing Wobbler syndrome in a Great Dane

This paper reports a case of cervical vertebral body deformation with gradually worsening posterior paresis in a Great Dane. The ventrocranial part of the body of the seventh cervical vertebra was severely eroded and deformed. This vertebra was tilted in relation to the sixth cervical vertebra producing a stenosis of the spinal canal which was demonstrated by myelography. Spondylolisthesis of the second type of G e a r y's classification was diagnosed. 99mTc-polyphosphate showed no concentration in the affected vertebra as would be found where bony tissues of different maturities are present, indicating the lack of effective repair. Dorsal hemilaminectomy resulted in no improvement.

Modified deep dorsal laminectomy in the dog

Spinal cord compression subsequent to radical laminectomy was investigated. A modified deep dorsal laminectomy technique was devised to allow extensive exposure and decompression of the canine spinal cord without undue hazard of postoperative fibrotic spinal cord compression. A previously described laminectomy technique was modified by the addition of spinal plating to avoid the occurrence of constrictive fibrosis.