May 21, 2016
Percutaneous Laser Disc Ablation (PLDA) is a minimally invasive preventative procedure for degenerative disc disease in dogs. This procedure was developed by Dr. Kenneth E. Bartels at Oklahoma State University. Over 350 dogs have undergone percutaneous disc ablation since the procedure was clinically introduced in 1993.
PLDA is recommended as a preventative procedureto reduce the risk of disc extrusion into the spinal canal in dogs with a prior history of disc disease, or for dogs that are at a high risk of disc rupture like dachshunds (chondrodystrophic breeds). The procedure has been found to be over 97% effective with only 9 dogs (2.6%) over a 10 year period having recurrence of signs that required surgical intervention. All nine dogs recovered uneventfully.
The laser is activated and the disc material is vaporized and coagulated which removes and stabilizes the center of the disc so it no longer has a propensity to rupture in the future.
Candidates for PLDA include dogs that have a history of disc disease that have recovered from either surgery or medical management and are neurologically stable; and dogs that are in a very high risk group such as Dachshunds (chondrodystrophic breeds). Dogs that are exhibiting back pain but are not neurologically affected should be treated with medical management and should be pain free and drug free for a minimum of 2 weeks.
The patients normally stay in the hospital one night and are discharged with pain medication.The dogs should be kept under strict cage confinement for the next 2-3 weeks and then may slowly return to normal activity over a 1-2 week period.
Find out if your pet is a candidate for PLDA. Please talk to your family veterinarian about referring the case to the DVSC and call the DVSC location nearest you to schedule an appointment.
Resources: Bartels KE. Prophylactic laser disc ablationin dogs at Oklahoma State University.Veterinary Medicine July 2007: 440-442. Bartels KE, Higbee RG, Bahr RJ, et al.Outcome of and complications associated with prophylactic percutaneous laser disc ablation in dogs with thoracolumbar disc disease: 277 cases (1992-2001). J Am Vet MedAssoc2003; 222:1733-1739.