Walter the Cocker Spaniel suffered a spinal disc protrusion

MRI Imaging is increasingly being used to help diagnose many conditions in pets.
This form of diagnostics is invaluable when detecting detailed information about the problem and how best to treat it.

One such case was Walter, an almost 3.5 year old Cocker Spaniel who belongs to one of our staff.
Walter presented early January with discomfort and definitely not is usual happy, bouncy self.

Pain relief was tried initially with no improvement. He was then given a general anaesthetic and X-rays were performed, revealing something wrong with one of the discs in his spine impinging his spinal cord.

He was referred to Movement Referrals for MRI and more specialised investigations, ultimately resulting in him having surgery to correct a damaged disc mid spine.

The first scan photo is what a normal vertebrae and spinal cord should look like, the 2nd and 3rd are Walter’s abnormal images (highlighted).

Thanks to the skills of the surgeons and staff there, he was able to return home to be nursed whilst exercise was strictly limited to crate rest for 6 weeks other than being taken outside to toilet.

Thankfully, he is making a full recovery and is starting to enjoy life again.

Scan images courtesy of Movement Referrals independent veterinary specialists.