Traumatic spinal haemorrhage in Collie

[Guest guest]

Hi All, especially small-animal vets,

 

A friend has a collie who panicked during fireworks explosions and

injured its back. The dog was cared for conservatively by local

practitioner, but has been paralysed behind and incontinent for 2

weeks. Reflexes to clamping the back toes are very sluggish.

Pressure ulcers have developed already

 

Today, a referral practice diagnosed lumbar spinal haemorrhage as

the basic lesion. It gave a poor prognosis, even with daily care for

>3 months.

 

Medline has little on spinal haemorrhage, and gives a poor

prognosis if neurological deficits are severe (as they are in this

case.

 

1. Would you put the dog down now?

 

The owner wants to do that, because her husband cannot take the

hassle of having a paralysed, incontinent dog caged in the kitchen.

 

2. If you would treat, what are the treatments that have worked for

you, your ball-park success rate, and the estimated timescale to

reasonable improvement?

 

Best regards,

 

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