Serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain as a diagnostic biomarker for progressive myelomalacia in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Background: Serum phosphorylated neurofilament-heavy chain (pNF-H) has not been longitudinally evaluated in dogs that develop progressive myelomalacia (PMM) after Type I intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH).

Objectives: To determine if serum pNF-H concentrations would predict outcome of neuroligical disease in dogs with acute, severe thoracolumbar myelopathy secondary to Type I IVDH.

Animals: Thirty-nine client-owned dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy secondary to IVDH.