A variety of vertebral column malformations can result in weakness and abnormal coordination in young dogs. Bull dogs, Boston terriers, and Pugs are frequently affected. In these breeds, vertebrae may be too small or abnormal in shape, resulting in a vertebral column that is arched (kyphosis), twisted (scoliosis), or swaybacked (lordosis). These malformations can be very challenging to correct as decompression and vertebral stabilization are often required. While x-rays may provide a good initial screening tool, advanced studies including CT and MRI are needed to determine the position of the spinal cord relative to the vertebrae. The MRI displayed below (Figure 1) is from a dog with a severe vertebral malformation that resulted in neurologic disability. Surgery was performed that combined vertebral decompression and stabilizing implants (Figure 2), which halted the progression of clinical signs.
Figure 1: Sagittal T2 weighted image showing a severe kyphosis (arrow head) of the vertebral column. The spinal cord is stretched and compressed due to this malformation.
Figure 2: Lateral spinal radiograph following surgical decompression and stabilization using two string-of-pearls (SOP) plates.