The severity of clinical signs may vary from pain only to severe neurological dysfunction, as detailed in the following scale:
- Grade I – No neurological deficits
- Grade II – Ataxia/ ambulatory paresis
- Grade III – Non-ambulatory paresis
- Grade IV – Plegia
- Grade V – Plegia with no nociception
Prognosis and treatment options are grade dependent, as shown on the charts.
Conservative treatment may be considered in grade I and II cases, although the recovery period is significantly shorter with surgical treatment. In grades II to V the surgical treatment increases the success rate and should be considered. It’s important to note that for Grade V cases surgery should be performed within 48 hours of the first clinical signs, after which treatment prognosis decreases to less than 5%.
Send us your questions to info@blueveterinary.com
