Concurrent injuries and complications associated with traumatic paraplegia and spinal fixation in dogs

Forty-seven dogs presented to the College Hospital with traumatic paraplegia were examined for concurrent injuries and complications. Fractures of the pelvic bones and ribs, and hip luxation were seen in addition to lesions of the vertebral column. Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis was observed in five dogs. Cystitis was present in two female dogs. Bilateral quadriceps contracture, luxation of the left hip and priapism and subsequent penile trauma were seen in one dog. Among dogs subjected to spinal fixation, seroma formation at the site of surgery was a common finding. However, seromas were larger when decompressive procedures were done as adjuncts to spinal fixation. Implant failure due to inability of the vertebrae to hold the implants on the day of surgery itself was seen in a five month old dog with osteodystrophia fibrosa. Implant failure was also observed in a dog with a highly unstable oblique fracture of the L5 vertebral body on the day of surgery itself. One dog in which hemilaminectomy was performed developed paralysis of the abdominal wall on the side on which the procedure was performed.