Abstract
This case series describes the clinical presentation, management and outcome of three cats diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc disease that underwent decompressive ventral slot surgery. This is a retrospective case series evaluating client-owned cats undergoing a ventral slot surgical procedure to manage cervical intervertebral disc disease (n = 3). A routine ventral slot surgery was performed in each case without complication, resulting in postoperative neurological improvement in all three cases. Ventral slot surgery can be used to achieve effective cervical spinal cord decompression with a good long-term outcome in the management of feline cervical intervertebral disc herniation. To avoid creating an excessively wide slot with the potential for postoperative complications including vertebral sinus haemorrhage, vertebral instability or ventral slot collapse, careful surgical planning was performed with preoperative measurement of the desired maximum slot dimensions.
Highlights
The incidence of intervertebral disc disease in cats is reported to be 0.12-0.24% [1, 2], compared with 2% in dogs [3, 4], and both intervertebral disc extrusions (Hansen type I disc disease) and protrusions (Hansen type II disc disease) have been documented in the cat [1, 2, 5]
Intervertebral disc extrusions are characterised by herniation of the nucleus pulposus through a rupture in the anulus fibrosus causing acute contusion and compression of the overlying spinal cord
Various surgical techniques have been reported in the management of cervical intervertebral disc disease in dogs, including ventral slot, dorsal laminectomy and cervical hemilaminectomy
Summary
The incidence of intervertebral disc disease in cats is reported to be 0.12-0.24% [1, 2], compared with 2% in dogs [3, 4], and both intervertebral disc extrusions (Hansen type I disc disease) and protrusions (Hansen type II disc disease) have been documented in the cat [1, 2, 5]. Various surgical techniques have been reported in the management of cervical intervertebral disc disease in dogs, including ventral slot, dorsal laminectomy and cervical hemilaminectomy. A ventral slot provides direct access to ventrally herniated disc material, and has been associated with a rapid functional recovery in cases with cervical pain and mild to moderate neurological deficits [12, 13]. As such, it is the technique of choice for many clinicians when accessing and removing extruded disc material from the ventral vertebral canal. In the current case series we describe the successful surgical management of cervical intervertebral disc disease in three cats by ventral slot decompressive surgery
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