Clinical practices in the management of cervical Hansen type I intervertebral disc herniation among veterinary neurologists in North America and Europe

OBJECTIVES: To describe current clinical practices in the management of cervical Hansen type I intervertebral disc herniation among American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine/European College of Veterinary Neurology neurologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous web-based survey was distributed via professional listservs between October and November 2025. Survey items addressed diagnostic imaging, indications and urgency for surgery, surgical technique and fenestration, foraminal injections, analgesia, medical management, activity restriction and perceived prognostic factors. Responses were summarised descriptively and compared between North American and European veterinary neurologists. RESULTS: Of 233 responses, 198 met inclusion criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most commonly used diagnostic modality. Surgery was infrequently recommended for first-presentation cervical pain without neurological deficits, but was commonly recommended for recurrent or refractory pain, ambulatory tetraparesis and non-ambulatory tetraparesis or tetraplegia, with increasing urgency reported for more severe neurological dysfunction and the presence of hypoventilation. Ventral slot decompression was the predominant surgical approach. Fenestration practices varied, with prophylactic fenestration reported more frequently by American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine neurologists. Compared with European College of Veterinary Neurology neurologists, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine neurologists reported more frequent use of corticosteroids and strict crate confinement, whereas European College of Veterinary Neurology neurologists more commonly reported use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid-based local or bolus analgesic techniques. Additionally, European College of Veterinary Neurology neurologists reported more frequent use of foraminal injections. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Management of cervical Hansen type I intervertebral disc herniation shows strong agreement regarding diagnostic imaging and surgical decompression, but notable variation in analgesic strategies, medical management and activity restriction. These findings identify areas where further evidence and consensus guidelines may help standardise clinical decision-making.