Successful medical management of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse in a ferret

J Small Anim Pract. 2010 Aug;51(8):447-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.00964.x.

Abstract

Thoracolumbar disc herniation was diagnosed in a two-year-old ferret using a myelogram followed by a computed tomography scan. The ferret was paraplegic with no control over urination and defecation. Conservative treatment that included cage rest and passive range of motion exercises for three weeks followed by extensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy resulted in full recovery two months after the onset of treatment. Although intervertebral disc disease has been reported previously in four ferrets, this is the first report in which a postmyelogram computed tomography was used to demonstrate the herniated disc, and physiotherapy was used as principal treatment modality.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ferrets
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / diagnosis
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / therapy
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / veterinary*
  • Intervertebral Disc*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae*
  • Male
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome