Beagle Lucy’s Successful Surgery

Neurosurgery at Veterinarium - Beagle Lucy’s Successful Surgery. 

Lucy had intermittent difficulty walking and experienced pain during movement, with discomfort particularly noticeable when moving her head and neck.

To evaluate Lucy’s condition, Veterinarium’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Lasha-Giorgi Japaridze, recommended a CT scan. The scan was performed at Vet CT, the computed tomography center located on the Kakha Bendukidze Campus.

Evaluation of the CT images revealed a central intervertebral disc herniation at C2-C3. In this condition, disc material enters the vertebral canal and compresses the spinal cord. This can result in severe pain, restricted movement, and neurological signs of varying severity.

Prior to surgery, Lucy underwent comprehensive preanesthetic diagnostics at Veterinarium:

• Complete blood count with morphology, serum biochemical profile, and electrolyte panel 
• Echocardiography

The results were evaluated by Veterinarium’s cardiologist and anesthesiologist, Natia Robakidze. Based on Lucy’s individual condition, she developed a tailored anesthetic protocol to effectively manage anesthetic risks.

Lucy then underwent neurosurgery using the ventral slot technique. This approach allows the surgeon to access the affected intervertebral space from the underside of the neck and create a small surgical window through which the herniated disc material is removed from the vertebral canal, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and achieving decompression.

Surgery in the cervical spine requires exceptional precision. The surgical field is very small, with the spinal cord, neural structures, and major blood vessels in close proximity. Each step must therefore be performed with meticulous accuracy to safely remove the disc material while protecting the surrounding vital structures.

The surgery was performed by Veterinarium’s Head Veterinarian, Lasha-Giorgi Japaridze, assisted by Luka Ghlonti, with anesthesia managed by Natia Robakidze.

The surgery was successful. 

Within just a few days, Lucy’s condition improved significantly. She is now walking freely and moving her head and neck comfortably again.