TREATMENT OF CANINE INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DISPLACEMENT WITH CHONDROITINASE ABC

Study Design. This study demonstrated the therapeutic value of chemonu cleolysis with chondroitinase ABC to canine intervertebral disc displa cement. Objectives. To determine the efficacy of Chondroitinase ABC in the management of canine intervertebral disc displacement. Summary of Background Data. No previous study has assessed the chemonucleolysis with chondroitinase ABC in the displaced discs. The changes of interve rtebral disc syndrome were evaluated in this study. Methods. Fifty-nin e dogs with symptoms and signs of intervertebral disc displacement wer e treated with Chondroitinase ABC by a single intradisc injection. The changes in symptoms and signs of disc herniation in the dogs were fol lowed from 7 days to 3 years after treatment. Results. Forty-eight dog s were evaluated for the efficacy of the chemonucleolytic treatment wi th Chondroitinase ABC. At 1 week after injection, 45 of 48 dogs showed some improvement in symptoms and signs. No adverse reactions were obs erved. There was no recurrence of symptoms in nine dogs who were obser ved from 14 months to 3 years after injection. Conclusion. Chemonucleo lytic treatment with Chondroitinase ABC is an effective and safe metho d for the management of canine intervertebral disc displacement.