Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.