Epidural steroid therapy and ultrasound massage for the management of paraplegia in dogs

Abstract

The study was conducted in fourteen clinical cases of paraplegic dogs with an objective to evaluate the effectiveness of epidural steroid therapy with and without ultrasound massage for the management of paraplegia in dogs. The dogs were randomly divided into two groups of seven animals each, Group I and II. Preliminary clinical, neurological and radiological examinations were conducted in all dogs. The dogs of Group I were subjected to epidural administration of methyl prednisolone acetate (2mg/kg body weight) initially and oral administration of prednisolone acetate in a tapering dosage for 15 days and that of Group II were subjected to ultrasound massage of the dorsal spinal region in addition to the steroid administration as in Group I. The incidence was more in Dachshunds. No sex predilection was observed. The maximum number of dogs was within the age range of four to six years. The etiology was unknown for most of the cases studied. The physiological parameters were within the normal range. Total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count indicated stress leukogram during the initial stage of the study period. Hb, PCV, serum calcium and phosphorous values were within the normal range. Alkaline phosphatase values showed an increase on second week and lowered to normal at the end of the study period. The neurological examination was effective for the localization of lesion and assessing the neurological recovery of dogs. Absence of deep pain sensation indicated poor prognosis for recovery. Evaluation of bladder function was very useful for assessing the neurological status of the dogs. A positive correlation was obtained in 78.5 per cent of survey radiographic findings with neurological examination. The survey radiography had 57.14 per cent accuracy for identifying multiple lesions and 21.42 per cent accuracy for single compressive lesions. The myelography was sufficient for identifying the site of compression and iohexol at the dose rate of 0.3ml/kg body weight (90mgI / kg body weight) provided good contrast for demarcation of the spinal cord. Neurological grading system based on the motor activity of the hind limbs and urinary bladder function was useful for evaluating the progressive neurological improvement in dogs during the course of study. The outcome of treatment was good in both groups studied. Epidural administration of methyl prednisone acetate followed by oral administration of prednisolone acetate was effective for the treatment of paraplegia in dogs due to intervertebral disc disease. But it was not effective for traumatic paraplegia in dogs with instability of the vertebral column. The therapeutic ultrasound massage enhanced the neurological recovery in paraplegic dogs.