Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2010; 23(03): 214-217
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-09-12-0123
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Delayed spinal cord injury following microchip placement in a dog

S. K. Joslyn
1   Small Animal Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
,
P. G. Witte
2   Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Forest Corner Farm, Hangersley, Ringwood, UK
,
H. W. Scott
2   Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Forest Corner Farm, Hangersley, Ringwood, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:01 December 2009

Accepted:01 February 2010

Publication Date:
18 December 2017 (online)

Summary

A three-year-old female, entire Yorkshire Terrier dog was examined because it had progressive non-weight-bearing left forelimb lameness and tetraparesis of two weeks duration. Clinical signs were first observed following mating. Examination confirmed non-weight-bearing left forelimb lameness and tetraparesis. Left forelimb muscle atrophy was also noticed. Survey radiography revealed a metallic foreign body consistent with a microchip in close proximity to the left articular facets between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. Computed tomography identified the exact location of the foreign body encroaching on the left dorsolateral vertebral canal, and osteolysis of the lamina of the sixth cervical vertebra. Surgical removal of the foreign body was performed via a dorsal approach to the caudal cervical vertebral column. Two weeks following surgery the dog showed return of left forelimb function and resolving tetraparesis. Microchip implantation had been performed three years previously.