Approximately 15% of canine disk disease affects the cervical region, with pain being the most significant sign. The authors describe the ocurrence of cervical disk protrusion in 17 dogs, grouped according to the breed, sex, weight, age, duration of symptoms, disk involvement, time elapsed to recuperation after surgery and results. Dachshund represented 29.5% (n=5), mixed-breed dogs, Miniature Poodle and English Cocker Spaniel, 17.6% each (n=9), Miniature Pinscher, 11.8% (n=2) and Dalmatian, 5.9% (n=1). Fifty-eight per cent were males. Weight varied from 2 to 29kg. Mean age at presentation was 5.8 years. All dogs presented neck pain and various degrees of ataxia, exception of one dog that was tetraparetic at time of clinical exam. Duration of clinical signs varied from 2 to 90 days. Intervertebral disks more commonly affected were C2/3 (40%), C3/4 (25%), C4/5 (15%), C5/6 (10%) e C6/7 (10%); some animals presented multifocal involvement. Ventral cervical fenestration was performed in disks C2/3 to C6/7, using tartar scrapers for curetage. Mean time for recuperation was beetwen 9 and 38 days, with 100% of success regarding sensory-motor function. It is concluded that ventral fenestration provides excelent results for the treatment of cervical disk disease, considering case selection.
cervical disk disease; ventral fenestration; dog