Archive Case #63: Canine Intervertebral Disc Extrusion

Clinical Clues

1. A small chondrodystrophic dog suddenly cries out and becomes reluctant to walk after jumping off furniture.
2. Within hours the dog develops thoracolumbar pain and weakness in the hindlimbs.
3. Neurological examination localises the lesion to the thoracolumbar spinal cord.
4. Postural reactions are delayed in the pelvic limbs while the forelimbs remain normal.
5. Advanced imaging identifies compressive disc material at the affected spinal site.
6. Canine intervertebral disc extrusion commonly causes acute spinal pain and paresis in predisposed breeds.

Diagnosis

Canine Intervertebral Disc Extrusion

This case is most consistent with Canine Intervertebral Disc Extrusion because the dog has acute thoracolumbar pain, pelvic limb deficits, and imaging-confirmed spinal cord compression from disc material. The most important clues are the chondrodystrophic signalment, neurologic localisation, and abrupt onset after mechanical stress, which strongly support disc extrusion.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.