Comparative analysis of neurological recovery and adverse effects in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated with methylprednisolone versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Abstract Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation is a common neurologic disease presented to the small-animal practitioner. The use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) as an adjunct to surgical decompression in cases of acute spinal cord injury following intervertebral disc extrusion is controversial. A prospective study was undertaken to compare the preoperative use of MPSS and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in 40 chondrodystrophic dogs presenting with similar signs and undergoing spinal decompressive surgery. Twenty dogs received MPSS and 20 had NSAIDs administered preoperatively. Dogs were administered with either MPSS intravenously 20 minutes before surgery (30 mg/kg) or NSAID (meloxicam 0.2mg/kg or carprofen 4 mg/kg) subcutaneously 20 minutes before surgery. Dogs were evaluated by neurologic examination of gait 24 hours postoperatively, at time of discharge and then at 8 weeks. The neurological recovery were similar in both groups, but the frequency of side effects such as vomiting (MPSS group: 90% versus NSAIDs group: 55%), and anorexia within the first three days (present in all 20 dogs pretreated with MPSS) was significantly different, with complications being more prevalent in the MPSS group. Side effects were significantly more evident with MPSS treatment group –including vomiting and anorexia during the first 3 days after surgery– than with NSAID treatment group, with a neurological recovery similar in both groups.