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Suspected Paraspinal Abscess and Spinal Epidural Empyema in a Dog

From The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, New York 10021.

Epidural spinal cord compression was visualized myelographically in a dog presented for rapid development of paraparesis. A large, fluid-filled pocket in the epaxial musculature was found at surgery and appeared to communicate with the first lumbar vertebra. Unfortunately, cytopathological evaluation of the fluid was not performed. No etiological agents were isolated on aerobic culture. The dog responded well to decompressive surgery and medical therapy consisting of antibiotics, pain medication, and nursing care. In the veterinary literature, only two studies of spinal epidural empyema in the dog have been reported. Of these dogs, one had successful decompressive surgery performed. The other dogs in these two reports were euthanized. The dog presented in this report fully recovered. Spinal epidural empyema should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with a fever and a rapidly progressing myelopathy.