RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF NECK PAIN AND NEUROLOGICAL CERVICAL SIGNS IN NON-CHODRODYSTROPHIC DOGS: A STUDY OF 112 CASES

The aim of our study was to retrospectively describe the prevalence of neurological disorders in a large cohort of non--chondrodystrophic dogs presented for neck pain and/or clinical signs suggestive of cervical myelopathy. A retrospective review of medical records and MRIs from 2020 to 2024 at Ospedale Veterinario San Francesco (TV) was performed. A total of 112 non-chondrodystrophic dogs presented for suspected cervical spine pathology were included in the study. The cases were classified by breed, sex, neurological grade (1 = cervical pain to 4 = tetraplegic) (1), diagnosed pathology, clinical onset (acute, chronic), and the presence or absence of cervical pain. Non-chondrodystrophic breeds of dog included: Labrador Retrievers (n=22), Golden Retrievers (n=10), Amstaff (n=10), Border Collies (n=7), Bull Terriers (n=6), English Setters (n=6), Bernese Mountain Dogs (n=5), Weimaraners (n=5), Whippets (n=5), Flat-Coated Retrievers (n=4), Dobermanns (n=4), and others (n=28). Of all included subject 51,8% were males (n=58) and 48.2% were females (n=54). The most diagnosed condition was intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) (39.28%), followed by inflammatory disease (31.25%), neoplasm (14,28%), DA-CSM (6,25%) and infectious disease (6,25%) and others (2,69%). Of the IVDH most cases (40.91%) involved C3-C4 intervertebral disk most commonly, similar to a study with large cohort of French Bulldogs (2). Apart from one case presenting with an IVDE and a DA-CSM at another site, the other cases had no other concomitant diseases. Odd ratio between grade 2 and grade 3 cases was evaluated indicating higher probability of having cervical pain as a clinical sign in dogs with grade 2 (p<0.001, ODD=6.93). In addition, in grade 2 there was a higher probability of having neck pain in the acute forms than in the chronic forms (p < 0.0002 ODD = 71.00) while in grade 3 no difference in the probability of having neck pain in the acute and chronic forms were find (p=1 ODD=1). Cervical spinal disorders in non-chondrodystrophic dogs represent a significant clinical challenge, with multiple pathologies potentially responsible for neck pain and neurological impairment (3). Various studies have investigated the prevalence and clinical presentation of these disorders, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management strategies. The results of this study highlight that different pathologies can affect the cervical spinal cord in non-chondrodystrophic dogs, with IVDH representing the most frequent condition, as previously described in the veterinary literature for chondrodystrophic breeds.