MRI

Canine Spinal Column Injury

His symptoms began with a lameness in his left forequarters, and he was panting heavily. The pain was not specific to the foot, Radius, Humerus, Scapula or muscling and he would not lie down on his left side, crying out when he tried to do so. With a doctor present, we palpated but could not elicit pain from him though this is not unusual for an Irish Wolfhound. This breed is so damn stoic that they often are on their death bed before being symptomatic of a critical illness or injury. Although he was kept quiet, his lameness did not diminish but worsened along with his having measurable neurological weakness in his rear hindquarters. Digital radiographs were taken of his left forequarter vertical bones and joints looking for the dreaded "C" and, for good measure, his lungs and chest cavity as well. All appeared normal. I had a suspicion and diagnosed that he had either a pinched nerve or a disc injury and also, his panting was due to the extreme pain. We had to wait several days for an appointment with a Board Certified Neurologist, and we now have our answers....