Dorsal ischaemic myelopathy in a dog: A case of unilateral, focal predominantly sensory loss

A 3‐year‐3‐month‐old, neutered, male Great Dane was presented with peracute left hindlimb monoparesis. Although voluntary movement was present, the dog was effectively non‐ambulatory due to its size. Proprioception, nociception and spinal reflexes were absent in the left hindlimb, localising the lesion to a left L4–S1 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging identified an ischaemic myelopathy affecting the left dorsolateral funiculus and dorsal horn at the L3–L4 vertebral level. Treatment consisted of a short course of analgesia and physiotherapy. At re‐examination, motor function had improved markedly, with return of superficial nociception to the lateral limb and deep nociception to the lateral digits. Persistent absence of deep nociception in the medial digit, loss of superficial nociception over the medial thigh and an abnormal withdrawal reflex refined neurolocalisation to the dorsal grey horn (L4–L6), corresponding to the femoral nerve afferent synapse and magnetic resonance imaging findings. This represents a novel presentation of unilateral dorsal ischaemic myelopathy.