Summary
A 3.5-year-old female spayed Beagle cross was presented to our emergency and referral
facility for the complaint of acute onset paralysis of the tail. A full physical and
neurological examination was performed which confirmed the absence of motor function
in the tail. Signs of superficial and deep pain sensation to the tail remained intact.
Orthogonal view survey radiographs identified mineralization superimposed over the
intervertebral foramen of the first and second caudal vertebrae. A dorsal laminectomy
was performed for surgical decompression of the caudal nerve roots. On the fourth
postoperative day, the patient exhibited good motor function of the tail. Neurological
improvement continued and 11 days postoperatively the patient demonstrated normal
neurological function, free range-of-motion of the tail, and it did not exhibit any
signs of pain. Follow-up examination was performed 76 days after surgery, at which
time the patient exhibited normal neurological function and signs of a pain-free range-of-motion
on manipulation of its tail.
Keywords
Intervertebral disc disease - laminectomy - disc extrusion - coccygeal vertebrae -
dog
