One friend’s experience with Radiology
Since we opened our MRI unit in August last year we have performed over 300 MRI scans. At SASH, the MRI is most commonly used to investigate brain diseases as well as many spinal diseases.
One of our most recent patients was Lily, the 5-year-old Beagle. She presented to Cherrybrook Veterinary Hospital as her owners had noticed she was walking very slowly and was more quiet than usual. Her vet found her to have back pain and weakness in her hind legs. They treated her with some pain relief. Lily’s vet advised her owners to bring her to SASH if she showed no improvement.
Lily’s owners then brought her to SASH the following morning, as she was now quite weak and wobbly in her hind legs. Lily was treated with cage rest and pain relief over the weekend before having an MRI on the Monday.
The MRI showed that she had a prolapsed disc in her lower spine between the 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebrae (see the MRI images below). The disc was compressing on her spine causing pain and decreased function in her legs.
Lily then had surgery to remove the disc material and relieve the pressure on the spine. She then commenced rehabilitation therapy in hospital and will continue to receive this therapy every couple of weeks until it is no longer required.
Lily has recovered well from her surgery and is walking with minimal support. She is now pain free and we expect her to make a full recovery.
If you are ever at all concerned about your pet, please do not hesitate to call us or bring them in. We have a 24-hour, 7-day emergency service.
“An MRI found that Lily had a prolapsed disc in her lower spine. The disc was compressing on her spine and causing pain and neurological deficits.”
Dr Andrew Marchevsky
