The typical scenario...

Imagine your dog running, playing, catching a ball and having a great time. Suddenly, without any warning, your dog collapses to the ground screaming. Once the dog stops screaming you notice that your dog may be dragging his legs, walking wobbly or not walking at all.  You rush your dog to the to the vet and his diagnosis is a fibrocartilaginous embolism or otherwise known as a FCE.

How does it occur? 

The main cause of the event is still very much unknown, but a piece of intervertebral disc material blocks a portion of the spinal cord causing a blood clot and results in paralysis of the dog. Dogs that are typically affected by FCEs tend to be large, athletic, male dogs between 3-6 years of age. Although, not as common, small dogs can also be affected and the breeds most at risk are Shelties, Miniature Schnauzers and Miniature Pinchers. 

Treatment and Prognosis

The only treatment for an FCE is intense, immediate and aggressive physical therapy. Other treatments that are helpful in rehabilitation are acupuncture and trigger point massage therapy, but time is of the essence and critical for recovery.  Once my dog was waking up from his MRI he started therapy. The prognosis of the dog greatly depends on the location and size of the clot. While some dogs have no residual outside effects others have trouble walking, become wheel chair bound and have bowel and bladder control issues.