Abstract

A small animal hospital received a presentation of a female 8-year-old neutered Maltese Bichon Frise for evaluation of acute paraplegia. The results of diagnostic imaging, such as simple spinal radiographs and CT angiography, did not indicate the presence of an intervertebral disc extrusion or any other abnormalities. A speciality hospital’s emergency department was recommended for the dog’s MRI. The characteristics of an extrusion of hydrated nucleus pulposus. During hemilaminectomy, a mixture of white gelatinous and somewhat hard material was discovered. Both cytology and histology supported a nucleus pulposus that had partially deteriorated. It was determined that the lumbar spine had compressive HNPE. Five days after surgery, the dog was given the all-clear. The owner reported normal ambulation and no indications of neurologic impairments during the most recent follow-up, which was conducted by phone interview.