Shasta is a beautiful 7 year old chocolate lab who suffered a Fibrocartiligenous embolism while playing at the park. This active, happy dog suddenly lost the use of her left rear leg.

Fibrocartilaginous embolization (FCE) of the spinal cord is the functional equivalent of a stroke to the spinal cord rather than to the brain. The events are acute, nonprogressive, and occur without any prior signs or warnings. Because emboli can occur in any portion of the cord, clinical signs can involve the rear limbs, all four limbs, one side of the body, or only one limb.

Shasta started physical therapy soon after her FCE occurred, and is doing fantastic. Her left rear leg function has almost completely returned to normal. Shasta loves her hydrotherapy, and plays with her favorite ball while in the tank.