Fibrocartilaginous embolism of the spinal cord [FCE] in juvenile Irish Wolfhounds

This study describes the occurrence of fibrocartilaginous embolism of the s pinal cord (FCE) in eight juvenile Irish Wolfhounds that were presented wit hin a period of 16 months (1996-1997). The dogs, seven males and one female between eight and 13 weeks of age, were presented because of an acute onse t of abnormal locomotion. Five dogs were euthanized and FCE was diagnosed b y the histomorphological presence of focal myelomalacia and Alcian blue-pos itive-nucleus-pulposus material in the spinal cord vasculature. Three dogs, which were thought to have FCE because of their clinical symptoms, improve d with partial or almost complete return to normal locomotion. Although the observed high incidence may be a coincidence, oral information from breede rs and lay reports of similar cases in journals for dog breeders from vario us countries suggest that FCE is a common disorder in young Irish Wolfhound s.