In this study, 103 dogs of different breeds, age and gender with neurological complaints were evaluated.
The patients were examined clinically and neurologically. For neurological examination, the biceps, triceps and extensor carpi radialis reflexes were tested in the front legs and the patellar, gastrocnemius and cranial tibial reflexes were tested in the back legs. Also proprioceptive reaction was determined in all legs.
Following clinical and neurological examination, latero-lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were taken of the patients. In cases where the exact location of the lesion could not be determined, myelography was carried out.
Examinations revealed intervertebral disc disease in 47 of the cases, vertebral column fracture in 28, spondylosis deformans in 18, subluxation in 5, luxation in 4, discospondylitis in 2 and vertebral osteomyelitis in I of the cases. In 1 of these cases fracture and luxation were together and in 1 other case fracture and subluxation were together.
Fourtyfive of the 47 cases with intervertebral disc disease were treated conservatively. One of the re-maining cases was treated using dorsal laminectomy. Hemilaminectomy was applied to the other case.
In the operative treatment of the 4 cases with fractures, luxation and subluxation in the vertebral column, crossed pins were applied to the vertebral bodies, plates were applied to the spinal processes and dorsal laminectomy was carried out.
Cases diagnosed with spondylosis deformans were treated conservatively using nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
One of the cases with discospondylitis was given euthanasia upon the request of the owner and the other one was treated using a wide range sefalosporin derivative antibiotic effective on Staphylococci (Seftri-akson tdisodium) 20 mg/kg).