External traumatic injuries such as those caused by road traffic accidents, fights or falls in dogs and cats, can result in vertebral column fracture or luxation. The key to successfully managing such cases is an efficient and accurate initial assessment, followed by stabilisation and immobilisation, to ensure adequate spinal cord blood flow and oxygenation. The crucial prognostic factor for vertebral column fractures or luxations is the presence or absence of nociception. Definitive diagnosis relies on computed tomography since changes, such as fractures of the articular processes, may be missed on radiography. The most appropriate diagnostic method for assessing the severity of the spinal cord injury is magnetic resonance imaging.

Ivona Orgonikova -

Josep Brocal -

Giunio Bruto Cherubini -

Viktor Palus -