Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20190034
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Case Report

Interventional analgesic block in a dog with cauda equina syndrome. Case report

Bloqueio analgésico intervencionista em cão com síndrome da cauda equina. Relato de caso

Rodrigo Mencalha; Camila de Souza Generoso; Daniel Sacchi de Souza

http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/2595-0118.20190034 BrJP, vol.2, n2, p.199-203, 2019
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition prevalent in dogs which neurological signs are caused by the compression of the nerve roots located in the lumbosacral spinal canal and is frequently associated with pain, claudication, paresis or paralysis of the hindlimbs and changes in the functioning of the sphincters. The objective of this study was to check the effects of the epidural injection with the combination of dexamethasone, bupivacaine and morphine on the relief of pain and neurological signs in a dog with traumatic cauda equina syndrome.

CASE REPORT: Case study of a 2-year old Red Heeler dog, weighing 16kg with a diagnosis of post-trauma cauda equina syndrome. The evaluation consisted of neurological and pain assessment (visual analog scale), quality of life ("5H2M") and infrared thermography. After the initial evaluation and authorization of the tutor, the dog was submitted to general anesthesia and a lumbosacral epidural block, guided by electrostimulation, with the association of dexamethasone, bupivacaine and morphine. After the procedure, the dog showed immediate remission of claudication, paresis and satisfactory analgesia on days 0, 15, 30 and 60 after the intervention.

CONCLUSION: The epidural block was effective in improving pain, quality of life and neurological signs and may be an excellent alternative in dogs with pain syndromes associated with the spinal canal.

Keywords

Epidural anesthesia, Cauda equina syndrome, Pain, Polyradiculopathy, Veterinary

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A síndrome da cauda equina é uma afecção neurológica prevalente em cães cujos sinais neurológicos são causados pela compressão de raízes nervosas localizadas no canal espinhal lombossacral sendo frequentemente associada à dor, claudicação, paresia ou paralisia de membros pélvicos e alterações do funcionamento dos esfíncteres. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos da injeção peridural com a associação de dexametasona, bupivacaína e morfina no alívio da dor e dos sinais neurológicos em um cão com síndrome da cauda equina de origem traumática.

RELATO DO CASO: Estudo do caso de um animal da espécie canis familiaris, raça red heeler, fêmea, 2 anos de idade e 16kg de peso corporal com diagnóstico de síndrome da cauda equina pós-trauma. A avaliação consistiu no exame neurológico completo, avaliação de dor (escala analógica visual), de qualidade de vida ("5H2M") e por termografia infravermelha. Após a avaliação inicial e autorização do tutor, a cadela foi submetida à anestesia geral e a um bloqueio intervencionista peridural lombossacral, guiado por eletroestimulação, com a associação de dexametasona, bupivacaína e morfina. Após o procedimento, a cadela apresentou imediata remissão da claudicação, da paresia e uma satisfatória analgesia nos dias 0, 15, 30 e 60 após a intervenção.

CONCLUSÃO: O bloqueio peridural intervencionista foi eficaz na melhora da dor, da qualidade de vida e dos sinais neurológicos, podendo ser uma excelente alternativa em cães com síndromes dolorosas associadas ao canal espinhal.

Palavras-chave

Anestesia peridural, Cauda equina, Dor, Polirradiculopatia, Veterinária

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Submitted date:
11/20/2018

Accepted date:
02/18/2019

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