Syringomyelia and hydrocephalus in a dog

A 7-year-old spayed female Pomeranian with a 6-month history of progressive paraparesis was determined to have syringomyelia accompanied with hydrocephalus. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly revealed severe syringomyelia in the cervical portion of the spinal cord, which was directly connected to the marked dilated fourth ventricle. Acetazolamide was prescribed for 3 weeks, but the neurologic deficits progressed. Laminectomy of the first and second vertebrae, which is one method of treating this type of syringomyelia in human beings, was performed, and then, acetazolamide was continued. The dog had partial amelioration, and further deterioration was not evident in the 12 months after surgery.