Surgical vertebral column stabilization ("spinal fusion") has
been advocated for treatment of various canine spinal problems.
Diseases wherein the veterinarians at Texas A&M University may
use surgical stabilization include vertebral fracture or luxation
(secondary to trauma or congenital atlantoaxial instability),
caudal cervical stenotic myelopathy or cervical vertebral
malformation/malarticulation syndrome (AKA "wobblers"), and
degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS). Depending on the nature
of the disease, various types of stabilization methods may be
utilized. In some situations titanium implants are used to allow
for post-operative MRI follow-up precluded by traditional stainless
steel material. This specialized niche of neurosurgery is currently
an area of interest for TAMU faculty and ongoing research is aimed
at determining better treatments for dogs with wobblers, developing
safe and effective titanium implants, and implementing the use of
external fixation systems to minimize the surgical approach to the
spine.