My vet told me my dog has FCE - what is it and what should I expect?
For those of you in college, FCE may stand for "full course equivalent," but in the veterinary world, FCE is a relatively newly recognized condition in the spectrum of disc disease. FCE or FibroCartilaginous Emboli is when a small portion of the disc between the vertebrae (or bones that protect the spinal cord) breaks off and enters the arterial blood supply for the spinal cord. This blockage prevents oxygen from reaching the spinal cord. the portion of the cord supplied in this area dies.
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| Discs provide cushions to allow mobility of the boney vertebral bodies that protect the spinal cord. |
What are the signs of FCE?
Unlike prolapsed discs seen with intervertebral disc disease where the dog may show progressive weakness and pain, a dog suffering from FCE will often suddenly become weak, limp, or paralyzed without any sign of pain. Your dog may suddenly yelp and be unable to walk normally. Yet when your check him or her for pain, there appears to be no area that is painful. Also, the dog is not usually a dachshund or corgi, which we associated with disc herniation. Instead usually it is a large or giant breed dog. Most dogs are 3-6 years or young to middle aged. In addition, since the emboli or disc material may cut off the blood supply to only one side of the spinal cord, both legs may not be affected. If the emboli is in the lower part of the spine, then only the rear legs will be affected.
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