Advances in Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats

Advances in Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats defines our present knowledge of this common clinical problem, compiling information related to the canine and feline intervertebral disc into a single resource. As a comprehensive, focused work, the book is an authoritative reference for understanding and treating disc disease, providing a sound scientific and clinical basis for decision making. Offering an objective synthesis of the current literature, the book supplies guidance on the approach to a potential disc rupture, surgical and medical strategies, and management of the patient. Offering a complete understanding of intervertebral disc disease, the book describes and discusses the controversies and issues surrounding this topic, acknowledging the gaps in our knowledge. Advances in Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats presents up-to-date, reliable information on this common condition for veterinary surgeons, neurologists, and general practitioners.

Advances in Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Catsdefines our present knowledge of this common clinical problemcompiling information related to the canine and felineintervertebral disc into a single resource. As acomprehensive, focused work, the book is an authoritative referencefor understanding and treating disc disease, providing a soundscientific and clinical basis for decision making.Offering an objective synthesis of the current literature, the booksupplies guidance on the approach to a potential disc rupturesurgical and medical strategies, and management of the patient.Offering a complete understanding of intervertebral discdisease, the book describes and discusses the controversies andissues surrounding this topic, acknowledging the gaps in ourknowledge. Advances in Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogsand Cats presents up-to-date, reliable information on thiscommon condition for veterinary surgeons, neurologists, and generalpractitioners.

SECTION 1: INTERVERTEBRAL DISC STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION1. Embryology, innervation, morphology, structure andfunction of the canine intervertebral disc2. Biomechanics of the intervertebral disc and spinal motionsegments3. Comparisons between biped (human) and quadruped(canine/feline) discs and disc diseaseSECTION 2: DISC DISEASE: DEGENERATIVE AND OTHERPATHOLOGY4. Pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration in dogs5. Historical and current nomenclature associated withintervertbral disc pathology6. What is known about the incidence of disc disease inchondrodystrophoid dogs?7. Why do discs displace?8. Spondylosis deformans and related conditions9. Feline disc disease10. Is "Wobbler" disease related to disc disease?11. What is fibrocartilagenous embolism and is it related toIVDD?SECTION 3: CLINICAL FEATURES OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCDISEASE12. History, neurologic examination, and neuroanatomiclocalization for spinal cord/nerve root disease13. Spinal cord compression vs.spinal cord contusion secondaryto intervertebral disc herniation: A clinical perspective14. "Discogenic"pain (signs associated with IVDD withoutherniation): Does it occur?15. Traumatic disc extrusion16. Deep pain: How should test and interpret nociception?17. Imaging studies for the diagnosis of IVDD: Radiography,Myelography, Computed Tomography, CT-Myelography, and MagneticResonance Imaging18. The role of non-imaging-based diagnostic studies forIVDD19. Disc neoplasia20. Discospondylitis and related infectious disorders of thevertebral column21. Ascending/Descending myelomalacia secondary to IVDD22. When should dogs be referred for surgical management?23. Recurrent disc herniation24. Client communications when confronted with a patient withsuspected IVDDSECTION 4: NON-SURGICAL AND ADJUNCTIVE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OFIVDD25. Steroid use in intervertebral disc disease26. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants andopioids27. Neuroprotective treatments for acute spinal cord injuryassociated with intervertebral disc herniation28. Acupuncture/electroacupuncture29. Activity and nursing care recommendationsSECTION 5: SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCHERNIATION30. What constitutes spinal cord decompression?31. General principles of spinal surgery for intervertebral discherniation32. Cervical disc disease: Ventral "slot" vs. Lateral vs.Hemilaminectomy vs. Dorsal laminectomy approaches33. Thoracolumbar disc disease: Dorsal vs. Lateral vs. Ventralapproaches, and what to do if I'm on the wrong side?34. Lumbosacral disc disease: Is vertebral stabilizationindicated35. Is there a role for durotomy during surgery forintervertebral disc herniation?36. What should cover the bone defect afterlaminectomy/hemilaminectomy?37. Prophylactic fenestration: Arguments in favor38. Prophylactic fenestration: The potential argumentsagainst39. Discography and (Chemo)nucleolysis40. Laser disc ablation as an alternative to prophylacticfenestrationSECTION 6: POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT41. Physical therapy/rehabiliation for the paralyzed patient42. Managing urine retention and incontinence in the paralyzedpatient43. Nursing care needs for the paralyzed patientSECTION 7: FUTURE DIRECTIONS44. Minimally invasive techniques for spinal cord/nerve rootdecompression45. Is there a role for disc prostheses in small animals?