Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs

Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy?

FCE can happen in any breed, age or size of dog. There are no predispositions that make one dog more susceptible to it than another. Many dogs present with having yelped earlier that day or week and now cannot use a limb, walk, or stand. While this is a very scary situation for pet owners, studies have shown many of these animals can recover with aggressive physical therapy.

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCE) in dogs is commonly known as a spinal cord stroke. If your dog loses the ability to stand or walk, you should treat it as a medical emergency and get to a veterinarian.

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Symptoms of Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs

Symptoms can appear abruptly and may include:

  • Abrupt loss of limb function (one limb, both pelvic limbs, one side of the body, all four limbs)
  • In most cases, one side of the body is affected more severely than the other

Types

FCE is a type all its own. However, the location and the affected area can vary. The blockage can occur anywhere along the spinal cord and can affect any region associated with it.

Causes of Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs

FCE is when a piece of fibrous cartilage enters the vertebral blood vessel. The piece blocks the vessel and ultimately causes a “stroke” of the spinal cord. When this happens, blood flow and is cut off as well as oxygen and nutrients the spinal cord needs. This loss of flow leads to the symptoms you see in your dog.

Diagnosis of Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs

Diagnosing FCE in dogs usually based on a collection of history and symptoms your dog is experiencing. In many cases of FCE, the dog is mentioned to have been running, jumping, or doing something active, yelped all of a sudden, and seemed to have pain at first but then is fine. Afterwards, whether it be a few hours or days, the dog suddenly develops some sort of loss of limb function. This is the stereotypical case of FCE in dogs. 

Your veterinarian may want to take radiographs to rule out a spinal fracture or other injury. The only way to definitively diagnose FCE in your dog is with an MRI. These require a specialized hospital and veterinarian. 

Blood work will be performed to give the veterinarian a broad look as to how the internal organs are functioning and to rule out other possible causes of his symptoms. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel will provide the veterinarian with needed information for proper assessment of organ function. A packed cell volume (PCV) may also be performed to determine hydration status.

Treatment of Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs

There is no specific therapy treatment for FCE in dogs. There is no way for a veterinarian to remove the fibrocartilage blocking the spinal cord blood vessel. You must give your dog time to heal and for his body to recover from the event. In some cases, if given enough time, the blood vessel is able to open up or the spinal cord is able to make a new one. 

Depending on the severity of your dog’s immobilization, you will likely need to do some degree of home care. Putting your dog through passive range of motion to improve strength and coordination is something you as an owner can do at home. There are other physical therapy exercises you can do at home, or you can find a clinic that offers it for your dog. 

Other therapies such as acupuncture or laser therapy have also been documented to help. However, since these methods are considered alternative, they aren’t always suggested but only because not many clinics or veterinarians are trained in the use of such methods.

If your dog is completely immobilized, you will have to do extensive home care. This includes, repositioning him every 4 to 6 hours to avoid the formation of bedsores, you may have to express his bladder for him if he cannot do it himself, and he may not have control over his bowel movements meaning you will have to clean him.

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Recovery of Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs

The MRI can give the veterinarian, and you, a diagnosis of the likelihood of limb function returning. It will give a better image of the area affected and what your dog’s chances are at a recovery. 

The healing process can take a long time.  There is no promise of recovery and prognosis can be optimistic to poor. You have to take into consideration the quality of life it is for your dog. However, do not give up on your dog. If you do the recommended treatments at home or in a clinic, your dog has a strong chance at a full recovery.

Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy Average Cost

From 245 quotes ranging from $2,000 - $8,000

Average Cost

$4,000

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Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Labrador Retriever

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Meli

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4 Years

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2 found this helpful

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2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Incontinence
Paralysis
Our 4 yr old lab went down in the middle of January with an FCE and is paralyzed in her back 2 legs. We have been taking her to the chiropractor and to PT since the beginning of February. She has shown a lot of improvement, she is staring to put her legs underneath her to get up and is moving her back legs to try to walk, and we are willing to keep at it. We were told by our physical therapist last night that the best we can hope for is that she will be able to spine walk. We are not worried about her walking again, we are willing to get a cart, however we need her to regain control of her bowels. Can dogs with an FCE ever recover their bowels?

March 13, 2018


Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

2 Recommendations

Thank you for your email. It sounds like you are doing everything that you can for Meli at this point. Whether she regains bowel control depends on the extent of damage from the FCEM. If it has been 3 months since the injury and she has not regained control, it seems unlikely at this point that she will, but that would be a question better asked of your veterinarian, as they can test her anal tone and determine if there is any improvement. I hope that she continues to recover.

March 13, 2018

Can a dog die from this there has been a few dogs in the niehbor hood including ours that became paralyzed in both hind legs.n then died week later .

May 14, 2018

Donna W.

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Saint Bernard

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Cole

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9 Years

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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Difficulty Walking
My 9 year old St. Bernard recently suffered a spinal embolism playing in the yard with my other dogs. His diagnosis was based on my vet's observation and Cole's symptoms, including sudden loss of use of his hind end, with seemingly no pain. I did not have an MRI done, not only because of cost, but vet visits are very difficult these days. Getting him in and out of the car is nearly impossible, and he is very stressed out in the process, causing him seizures (he is epileptic). I have a wonderful vet that always helps via telephone or text messages with video. After about 3 weeks, he slowly began to show signs of improvement in his ability to get up and walk. He made a great improvement relatively quickly, but this last week he seems to be regressing. He is having a hard time getting up and has very little endurance. Throughout it all, he has maintained a very healthy appetite and water consumption is normal. Lately, he is very clingy and whiny. He still doesn't seem to be in any pain, but more of aggravated or confused. He has always been a "velcro dog" but now whines and wants help getting up every time I leave the room. He also seems very restless. I'm curious if it is normal to make progress an then regress in recovery. I will add, he has battled epilepsy since 13 months old and has had 2 strokes (that I know of) in the last year and a half. He also has a bit of dementia at times.

March 12, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

Thank you for your email. I don't think it would be expected for the improvement from the embolus to regress, but I do think it is possible that he may have other factors, like bone or joint disease or arthritis, given his age, that are complicating his recovery . Physical therapy may be very helpful for him, and your veterinarian may be able to recommend a therapist to come to you, I'm not sure if that is available in your area, but may be worth looking into I hope that he continues to make a steady recovery.

March 12, 2018

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Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy Average Cost

From 245 quotes ranging from $2,000 - $8,000

Average Cost

$4,000

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