A Technic that Facilitates Lumbar Puncture in the Dog

Abstract

In the last year we studied spinal anesthesia for the dog, and a number of difficulties have been overcome by the utilization of a simple piece of apparatus and the adoption of a certain routine in making the puncture. Our first problem was the development of a method of maintaining the dog in a proper position for the injection. The vertebral interspaces of the dog are very narrow, as compared to those of man and the insertion of the needle is exceedingly difficult unless the dog is kept in a flexed position. In experiments in which premedication with sedatives is inadvisable we have found that the dog can be kept quiet in a comfortable position by the use of a modification of the Delahanty table. This apparatus is readily prepared by the use of a board measuring 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 5 feet long. As in the Delahanty table 4 holes are cut through the board in such a manner that the dog's legs may be easily put through them. To insure maximal comfort the holes should be padded. A pillow which maintains the spinal column in a flexed position is placed under the belly. Another pillow is placed between the fore and hind limbs after which the latter are secured. A canvas corset which is attached to the median line of the board is bound about the animal and tied along the dorsum. Lateral movement is reduced by a wooden slat inserted along the corset on each side. By means of this apparatus the dog may be inclined at any desired angle. When the board is placed at an angle of about 45°, flow of spinal fluid is facilitated (Fig. 1).