Kentdale Spinal Op Success In Rare High-risk Case
3 years ago 
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Specialist surgery at one of the UK’s leading small animal hospitals has transformed the life of a puppy suffering from a rare high-risk condition.
The German short-haired Pointer, called Ben, was just eight months old when he was admitted to the Linnaeus-owned Kentdale Referrals in Milnthorpe, Cumbria.
His owners had become alarmed after their pet had endured a worrying series of collapses which had resulted in temporary paralysis and total extended rigidity in his front legs.
Kentdale’s managing director Toby Gemmill explained: “Ben was referred to us having had a history of episodes of acute tetraparesis, a neurological condition in which all four limbs are weak or paralysed.
“In Ben’s case, he would be off his legs for a few minutes at a time, before he would recover, get up and walk again. There was no loss of consciousness but he did experience extensor rigidity in his forelegs, so one of our specialists admitted him to thoroughly investigate his symptoms.
“A CT scan confirmed the absence of dens (a peg-like bone) on the second cervical vertebrae in his neck and atlanto-axial subluxation, which is a misalignment of the first and second cervical vertebrae.
“This condition is rare in large breed dogs and allows abnormal movement in the neck, between the atlas (first cervical vertebra) and axis (second vertebra), which causes compression of the spinal cord and can spark episodes, collapse and paralysis.”
The only solution was spinal surgery, however, the location of the problem at the top of the neck presented a significant challenge.
Toby added: “It was essential to stabilise the atlanto-axial joint but this was high-risk surgery and required absolute precision and care.
“To ensure complete accuracy, we ordered bespoke drill guides from Vet3D, a company that uses measurements taken from a CT scan to 3D print guides which were unique to Ben’s bone conformation.
“We frequently use this excellent service for intricate operations. By using a guide that is created to the exact measurements for the patient, our specialists can ensure placement of screws are as accurate as they can possibly be.
“In Ben’s case, we used his custom-made drill guides to carefully place two screws in the first cervical vertebrae and four screws in the second.
“A bone graft was applied from the proximal humerus (shoulder) and the screws were embedded in PMMA bone cement to reduce and stabilise the vertebra.
“Ben recovered well and was allowed home on a strict aftercare programme which required six weeks rest in his crate with only short walks in a harness allowed.
“Ben continued to improve and we were able to discharge him from our care six weeks after surgery.”
Kentdale Referrals is a specialist-led practice offering expert services in diagnostic imaging, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, anaesthesia, infection control, orthopaedic surgery, spinal surgery, soft tissue surgery and physiotherapy.
For more information, visit www.kentdalevets.co.uk or search for Kentdale Referrals on social media.
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