SPECIES: dog
BREED: Labrador Retriever
GENDER: female
AGE: 6.5
NAME: Lucy
Clinical case
Lucy was brought to the clinic due to an acute episode of quadriplegia.
She had no sensitivity in the lateral toes of the left front leg, could not stand straight, had flaccidity in the front limbs and Horner’s syndrome.
She was unable to hold herself up and found keeping her head straight difficult.
Instrumental investigation and diagnosis
Fibrocartilaginous embolism was suspected.
- Lucy underwent an MRI, which showed a well-defined T2 grey matter hyperintensity above C5 and C6 consistent with a vascular event.
- The X-rays performed showed an opacity at C5/C6 and a mild spondylosis of T5/T6, the presence of an osteochondral body in the right shoulder and mineralisation in the lower part of the right glenoid cavity.
Situation and treatment schedule
On 15/10/2020, Lucy was transferred to rehabilitation facilities, where her incapacity to walk was noted, even though she was able to move her limbs except for the front left one. The owner then decided to transfer her to our facilities on 3/11/2020. She had begun therapy with acupuncture on 2/11/2020 and was made to walk with the assistance of 2 people.
After her hospitalisation in the facility, Lucy underwent physiotherapy cycles with:
- MLS® Laser Therapy using the «IVDD» points program on 6 points on the cervical spine once a day
- Hydrotherapy, alternating swimming and walking when able, with water just above the knee and under the shoulders for 15 minutes 5 days a week
- Qs Vet Magnetotherapy with the following parameters:
- Frequency 100%
- Intensity 75%
- Time 20 minutes
- 5 times a week
The following were also used:
• Wobble board
• Cavaletti
• PROM to the left shoulder/elbow (10 min/day)
• Walks 4-5 times a day
Courtesy of Doctor Stacie Williams OTR/L CCRP, Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral, Wilmington USA