Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disk Extrusion in Dogs: Do Onset of Clinical Signs, Time of Surgery, and Neurological Grade Matter?

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the influence of time between the beginning of clinical signs, presentation and decompression, and combinations of several factors on the outcome and recovery of dogs undergoing surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion (IVDE).

Study Design:  In all, 433 client-owned dogs treated for IVDE between 2016 and 2020 were reviewed for signalment, neurological grade, rate of onset, duration of clinical signs, and surgical variables. Time from presentation to surgery was divided into three categories: S1 (0-12 hours), S2 (12-24 hours), and S3 (>24 hours).