SPINAL EPIDURAL EMPYEMA IN 2 DOGS

Extensive, diffuse, epidural spinal cord compression was visualized my elographically in two dogs presented for rapid development of nonambul atory tetraparesis and paraplegia, respectively. Purulent fluid contai ning bacterial organisms was aspirated percutaneously under fluoroscop ic guidance from the epidural space of each dog. One dog responded poo rly to aggressive medical therapy, which included installation of an e pidural lavage and drainage system. Both dogs were euthanized due to t he severe nature of their disorder and the poor prognosis. Spinal epid ural empyema (i. e., abscess) is a rare condition in humans and has no t been reported previously in the veterinary literature. Spinal epidur al empyema should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs pr esenting with painful myelopathies, especially when accompanied by fev er.