Case Studies

Adult mixed breed dog presented with acute onset paraparesis and severe pain on spinal palpation at the thoracolumbar junction. Deep pain was intact; the dog was ambulatory with support. Neurologic grade: Grade III (ambulatory paraparesis with proprioceptive deficits).

MRI of the thoracolumbar spine demonstrated disc extrusion at T13–L1 with significant spinal cord compression and cord signal change (T2 hyperintensity). No evidence of myelomalacia. Adjacent disc spaces showed moderate degeneration.

Surgical decompression was recommended. Preserved deep pain, recent onset, and MRI evidence of compressive (not myelomalacic) disease support a favorable surgical prognosis. Medical management alone was discussed as an option for ambulatory patients, but the degree of cord compression and the patient's trajectory favored surgery.

Right-sided hemilaminectomy at T13–L1 with removal of extruded disc material and spinal cord decompression. Fenestration of the index disc space and the adjacent degenerated segment was performed.

The patient was ambulatory and weight-bearing within 48 hours of surgery. Full neurologic recovery was documented at the 8-week recheck.

Middle-aged large-breed dog referred for evaluation of a mass identified on thoracic radiographs. The dog had a progressive cough and mildly reduced exercise tolerance. No evidence of pleural effusion on radiographs.

CT of the thorax with contrast demonstrated a solitary soft tissue mass involving the caudal aspect of the left cranial lung lobe. The mass had a well-defined margin with no involvement of the hilar vessels or adjacent structures. No enlarged tracheobronchial lymph nodes were detected. Pulmonary parenchyma was otherwise normal. Abdominal CT was unremarkable.

The imaging characteristics and staging were consistent with a primary pulmonary tumor amenable to resection. Lung lobectomy was recommended as the primary therapeutic option. CT was essential for characterizing the lesion's relationship to the hilar vessels and confirming single-lobe involvement before surgery.

Left cranial lung lobectomy via lateral thoracotomy. The lobe was isolated, ligated at the hilus, and removed en bloc. The chest was closed over a thoracostomy tube. Tube was removed 24 hours postoperatively.

Histopathology confirmed a primary pulmonary carcinoma with clean surgical margins. The patient was discharged on day 3. Long-term follow-up was managed by the oncology team.

Young adult dog presenting after a motor vehicle accident with acute non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb. No neurovascular compromise. Orthogonal radiographs demonstrated a comminuted mid-diaphyseal femoral fracture with moderate displacement.

Radiographs confirmed a comminuted fracture of the femoral diaphysis. CT was performed to characterize fragment geometry, plan implant positioning, and assess for soft tissue involvement. No concurrent pelvic fracture or acetabular pathology was identified.

Biological osteosynthesis principles were applied. The goal was to stabilize the fracture with a plate-rod construct that would provide adequate mechanical support while preserving the periosteal blood supply to the comminuted fragments. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed rather than closed reduction due to fracture complexity.

Open reduction and internal fixation via a lateral approach to the femur. Intramedullary rod placed normograde followed by a locking plate applied along the lateral femoral cortex. Periosteal soft tissue attachments to fracture fragments were preserved where possible. Intraoperative fluoroscopy confirmed satisfactory alignment and implant positioning.

The patient was partial-weight-bearing within 72 hours. Radiographic healing was confirmed at the 12-week recheck with good cortical bridging. The dog returned to normal function.

Adult dog presented after a motor vehicle accident with acute hindlimb paralysis. Deep pain was absent at initial presentation. CT scan confirmed a fracture-luxation at L2–L3 with severe spinal canal compromise and vertebral displacement.

CT demonstrated a fracture-luxation with dorsoventral displacement at L2–L3, significant reduction in spinal canal diameter, and vertebral instability. MRI confirmed severe cord compression with cord signal change but no ascending myelomalacia.

Despite absent deep pain, the acute onset, absence of ascending myelomalacia, and spinal instability made surgical stabilization appropriate. The goals were decompression and stabilization to protect the remaining spinal cord function and prevent worsening. The prognosis for deep pain recovery was guarded and communicated clearly to the owner prior to surgery.

Dorsal decompressive hemilaminectomy with screw-rod spinal stabilization spanning two vertebral bodies on either side of the fracture site. Reduction of the luxation was achieved under fluoroscopic guidance.

Spinal stability was achieved. The dog required intensive nursing care. Over 12 weeks, there was partial return of deep pain and voluntary movement in the hindlimbs. Long-term management included physical rehabilitation therapy.

Middle-aged large-breed dog presenting with progressive unilateral epistaxis, facial deformity, and a visible nasal mass. Referral was initiated by the primary care veterinarian following abnormal nasal radiographs.

CT of the skull and nasal cavity demonstrated a large, invasive soft tissue mass with destruction of the nasal turbinates and ipsilateral nasal bones. There was extension to the rostral aspect of the calvarium without penetration of the cribriform plate. No regional lymph node enlargement. Histopathology following CT-guided nasal biopsy: nasal carcinoma.

The CT findings guided a multidisciplinary discussion involving surgery, oncology, and radiation therapy. CT is critical for nasal tumor staging — it defines the extent of bony involvement and cribriform plate integrity, both of which affect prognosis and treatment planning. In this case, the extent of disease favored combined debulking and radiation therapy over surgery alone.

Surgical debulking was performed prior to definitive fractionated radiation therapy. The case illustrates the role of CT in treatment planning and the value of multidisciplinary coordination for nasal tumors in dogs.

Older Labrador Retriever presenting with progressive exercise intolerance, inspiratory stridor, and one episode of severe respiratory distress requiring emergency oxygen therapy. Physical examination confirmed reduced laryngeal abductor movement bilaterally on laryngoscopy.

Laryngoscopy (sedated examination) demonstrated bilateral failure of arytenoid abduction on inspiration — consistent with bilateral laryngeal paralysis. The left arytenoid cartilage showed slightly more movement than the right. Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable; no aspiration pneumonia present.

Unilateral arytenoid lateralization (tie-back) was performed on the left side. The degree of respiratory compromise, prior episode of distress, and absence of aspiration pneumonia all supported proceeding with surgery. Bilateral tie-back is generally avoided due to the significantly increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Left unilateral arytenoid lateralization via a left paracricoid approach. A permanent suture was placed to maintain the left arytenoid in an abducted position. Laryngoscopy confirmed improved airway diameter at the conclusion of the procedure.

Resolution of stridor and marked improvement in exercise tolerance. The owners were counseled regarding the permanent aspiration risk with this procedure and given guidance on diet modification and monitoring. The dog remained active and comfortable at the 6-month follow-up.

Young adult large-breed dog with bilateral forelimb lameness, worse on the left. Lameness had been present since 7 months of age. Physical examination revealed elbow pain bilaterally with pain on passive hyperextension. Elbow radiographs were equivocal.

CT of both elbows demonstrated an OCD lesion of the medial humeral condyle on the left with a well-defined cartilage flap. Early subchondral changes were present on the right but without a discrete flap. Fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP) was not identified.

Arthroscopy of the left elbow was recommended for definitive treatment of the OCD lesion. CT provided precise localization and characterization of the lesion prior to arthroscopy. The right elbow was managed conservatively at this time, with monitoring planned.

Arthroscopic examination of the left elbow confirmed a discrete OCD flap of the medial humeral condyle. The cartilage flap was removed and the subchondral defect curetted and debrided. The medial coronoid process was intact.

The dog showed significant improvement in left forelimb lameness over 6 weeks. Return to full activity was achieved by 10 weeks post-surgery.

Adult dog presenting as an emergency following a gunshot wound. The dog was in cardiovascular shock on arrival with two external wounds consistent with an entry and exit wound. IV access, fluid resuscitation, and pain management were initiated immediately by the emergency team at VERG Brooklyn.

Abdominal FAST ultrasound demonstrated free peritoneal fluid consistent with hemoabdomen. Thoracic FAST was unremarkable. Radiographs confirmed no retained projectile fragments. CT was obtained once the patient was sufficiently stabilized and demonstrated intestinal serosal injury and a small mesenteric hematoma without evidence of bowel perforation at the time of imaging.

Despite the CT findings suggesting no immediate bowel perforation, the clinical picture — hemoabdomen, penetrating abdominal injury, hemodynamic compromise — mandated exploratory laparotomy. Imaging alone is insufficient to exclude bowel injury in penetrating abdominal trauma.

Emergency exploratory celiotomy. Intraoperatively, a small serosal injury to a jejunal segment was identified and oversewn. A mesenteric laceration with active hemorrhage was identified and ligated. The abdomen was lavaged and closed. A feeding tube was placed intraoperatively.

The dog survived and was discharged after 5 days of intensive care monitoring. At the 4-week recheck, the patient was fully recovered.

Dog presenting with a progressive mandibular swelling first noted 4 weeks prior. Physical examination revealed a firm, non-painful mass involving the caudal mandibular body. Oral examination was unremarkable except for mild displacement of the adjacent premolars.

3D CT reconstruction and multiplanar reformats of the skull demonstrated a bony expansile mass of the mandibular body with cortical disruption. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis and guided the extent of surgical resection planning. Regional lymph nodes were unremarkable.

3D CT reconstruction is a valuable tool for planning mandibular resections — it allows accurate assessment of the extent of bony involvement and helps define the level of osteotomy required to achieve clean margins while preserving jaw function. The extent of disease and diagnosis informed the surgical approach and reconstructive plan.

Segmental mandibulectomy with margins guided by CT findings. Histopathology confirmed clean margins. Outcome was discussed in collaboration with the oncology team for ongoing monitoring.