Bilateral subconjunctival haemorrhage as a rare complication of ventral slot decompression in a dog

Abstract This case report demonstrates bilateral subconjunctival haemorrhage (SH) as a rare complication of ventral slot decompression in a dog. A 3‐year‐old, female, neutered, long‐haired French bulldog presented with cervical hyperaesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck revealed a C2–C3 intervertebral disc extrusion (Hansen type I). A C2–C3 ventral slot decompression was performed using a median approach. The dog recovered well but developed bilateral SH post‐operatively. Ophthalmic examination and coagulation testing were normal. The haemorrhage gradually improved over 2 months without treatment. This report highlights bilateral SH as a rare, reversible complication of ventral slot decompression in dogs. We hypothesise that bilateral SH resulted from venous congestion in the head and rupture of episcleral vessels because of severe hyperextension of the neck required for surgical positioning, compounded by the unique anatomical traits of brachycephalic breeds. Understanding each dog's anatomy and optimisation in surgical positioning form the basis of avoiding complications.