Long‐term postoperative pain evaluation in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation after hemilaminectomy

Abstract

Background

Chronic neuropathic pain is a common complication in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) but has not been investigated in dogs.

Objective

To determine the reliability of measuring spinal mechanical sensory thresholds (MSTs) in dogs and to compare MSTs of healthy dogs and dogs with SCI caused by acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion after hemilaminectomy over a 1‐year period.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Animals

Thirty‐two healthy and 40 SCI dogs.

Methods

Dogs were divided into group 1 (healthy Dachshunds), group 2 (healthy dogs including several breeds), and SCI group. The MSTs were measured using algometry at an incision (thoracolumbar) and control site. Dogs in group 1 were tested once; those in group 2 were tested for 5 consecutive days; and SCI dogs were tested on days 7, 14, 28, 42, 180, and 365 postoperatively. The MSTs were compared among days in healthy and SCI dogs and between SCI and healthy dogs using mixed effect models. P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

At the incision site of SCI dogs, MST was significantly lower than in healthy dogs for 42 days postoperatively, but not subsequently. However, 4/27 dogs had control site MST below the reference range 1 year after surgery.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Mechanical sensory thresholds normalize by 6 months after surgery in most dogs with SCI. Approximately 15% of SCI dogs may develop chronic neuropathic pain. Improving long‐term pain assessment of SCI dogs is important for offering treatment options and advising owners.