Acute compressive T2–T3 intervertebral disc extrusion in a Great Dane dog

Abstract Intervertebral disc extrusion is common in dogs but rarely affects the cranial thoracic spine. This report describes an 8‐year‐old entire female Great Dane referred for progressive ambulatory paraparesis that acutely progressed to non‐ambulatory status. Neuroanatomical localisation was consistent with a T3–L3 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a severe, acute intervertebral disc extrusion at the T2–T3 intervertebral disc space, along with multifocal mild extradural spinal cord compressions secondary to chronic intervertebral disc protrusions at C6–C7, T7–T8, T13–L1 and L2–L3. Surgical treatment via hemilaminectomy at T2–T3 confirmed the presence of a compressive intervertebral disc extrusion. The dog recovered well and was discharged 1 week postoperatively. Thoracic intervertebral disc extrusions are rare due to anatomical factors. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of an intervertebral disc extrusion at the T2–T3 level in a giant, non‐chondrodystrophic breed responding favourably to surgical decompression.