Development of a functional scoring system in dogs with acute spinal cord injuries

Objectives-To develop and compare the reliability of 2 methods of scoring p elvic limb gait in dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries and to use this scoring system to determine the rate and level of functiona l recovery of dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniations . Animals-46 dogs with spinal cord injuries resulting from intervertebral dis k herniations. Procedure-Dogs' gaits were videotaped at different time intervals after inj ury. In phase 1 of the study, the stages of recovery of pelvic limb functio n were identified, and a numeric scoring system was devised to reflect that recovery. In phase 2, pelvic limb gait was scored by different observers, using a numeric and a visual analog scale. Intra- and interobserver coeffic ients of variability of both methods were compared. In phase 3, pelvic limb function was scored, using the numeric scale at various intervals after ac ute thoracolumbar disk herniations, Results-The numeric scale was significantly more reliable than the visual a nalog scale when both intra-and interobserver coefficients of variability w ere evaluated. Dogs that were paraplegic with no deep pain sensation recove red at different rates during the first 3 months, whereas dogs that were pa raplegic with deep pain sensation typically recovered within 1 month of inj ury. Conclusions-Pelvic limb gait of dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal c ord injuries can be reliably quantified, using a numeric scale. This scale will facilitate the performance of clinical trials aimed at improving the o utcome of acute spinal cord injuries.