+ Frank's Story - Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) - Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre

+ Frank living life after surgery

+ Frank’s Story – A Common Back Problem in Dachshunds with a Happy Ending

Frank is a very special 12 year old male neutered dachshund who presented to our emergency service on the 19^th of December 2024 for quite sudden onset of wobbliness in his back legs called hindlimb ataxia. He was restless and anxious. He had spinal pain detected on his examination by our emergency team (BVECCS Emergency and Critical Care) but at the time, his no neurological deficits were very minor therefore, the family elected conservative management initially with pain killers and rest. The goal of conservative management is to allow time for any swelling or inflammation around the spinal cord to subside over time and rest, when the patient is only mildly affected clinically.

Unfortunately, he re-presented a few days later for sudden worsening of signs. On repeat assessment by our emergency team, Frank was found to have pain around the thoracolumbar spine. He was unable to hold his own weight on his back legs and could not stand without assistance. He had significant neurological deficits in both hindlimbs, with the right side being worse. His forelimbs were completelynormal. Taken into account of all the clinical signs, we were suspicious of a lesion affecting the spinal cord at the level of mid-thoracic to mid-lumbar region causing what we call upper motor neuron signs to both hindlimbs. He had paraplegia.

Due to his acute deterioration with now serious clinical signs, BVSC’s surgery team, Dr Joy, Dr Harvey and Dr Eryn were called in for emergency imaging and surgical intervention. Computed tomography (CT scan) was performed identifying a large volume of Hansen type I intervertebral disc extrusion at the level of L2-L3, with the extruded disc material more prominent on the right side. This is sometimes called a slipped or extruded disc. This explained his neurological exam precisely. Hansen type I degeneration of intervertebral disc is typically an acute disease in chondrodystrophic dogs, such as a dachshund, at the age of approximately 5-8 years old. The extruded disc material becomes expelled from the intervertebral disc space upwards into the spinal canal. This traumatises the spinal cord and results in spinal cord compression.

The treatment options were discussed with the owners immediately following the CT scans. Due to the acute deterioration of Frank’s clinical signs, surgery was recommended to allow decompression of the spinal cord . In Frank’s situation, surgery is the treatment of choice to quickly provide decompression of the spinal cord restoring nerve function and alleviating pain. This is effective provided there is no serious permanent damage to the spinal cord. All neurosurgery is delicate but operating on a small dog’s vertebra to expose the disc and spinal cord requires a particularly meticulous and experienced surgical team. This accurately describes those working on Frank.

CT performed at BVSC showing disc material in the spinal canal

A right sided hemilaminectomy was performed at the affected level of L2-L3. This is performed by making a bone window using a high speed bur and very delicate neurosurgical instruments. The extruded disc material was removed effectively decompressing the spinal cord. Frank recovered very well and started showing improvement in his neurological function the first day following surgery. He was less painful and was able to move his hind legs. He progressively improved over the course of 8 weeks with ongoing rest and nursing care. He now enjoys almost normal neurological function and can walk well.

Frank is a dog whose sudden onset of back problems classically demonstrates intervertebral disc disease in a dachshund. This shows how rapid this terrible disease can progress. In his case, surgical intervention at the right time provided an excellent outcome and his paraplegia was not permanent with him returning to function after his critical surgery.