Ventral decompression for caudal cervical disk herniation in large- and giant-breed dogs.

Ventral decompression was evaluated as a treatment for cervical disk protrusion in large- and giant-breed dogs. All of the dogs improved after ventral decompression. After a follow-up period averaging 16 months, half of the dogs were clinically normal and the other half were functional pets despite minor residual proprioceptive deficits. Ventral decompression alone appeared to be acceptable treatment for dogs not having other radiographic signs of caudal cervical spondylopathy.