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- cauda equina syndrome
- Using the IRAP I and IRAP II procedure

The so-called cauda equina syndrome describes a condition that has its origin in neurological dysfunction of the terminal segment of the spinal cord. It is the result of a number of pathological processes and manifests with varied symptoms.

The pain is caused by compression of the lumbosacral spinal cord. Initially, it causes abnormal movement. Then, through degenerative processes, changes of the area of the intervertebral foramen pressing on the nerve roots leads to neurological disorders, which manifest themselves in progressive motor dysfunction and incontinence.

In the early stages, the owner often points to lumbosacral hypersensitivity, a progressive decrease in enthusiasm for walks and a fear of climbing stairs. Another symptom may be hip swaying, further progressing to limb paresis, muscle atrophy, urinary and bowel incontinence. In the final stage, symptoms of paralysis develop.

A typical patient is a large breed male dog, i.e. Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Boxer although Border Collies, Miniature Schnauzers and less often cats may develop this condition as well.

Treatment depends on the clinical symptoms and their duration. The standard treatment is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their steroid versions, along with movement restriction, physiotherapy and a gradual increase in static movement.

If conservative treatment fails and the aforementioned symptoms continue, surgical treatment is indicated.

A less invasive alternative to surgical treatment is the use of IRAP therapy. This procedure involves using the patient's blood to obtain serum rich in regenerative and anti-inflammatory factors.

The process of obtaining the serum itself is extremely simple. It involves drawing 60 ml of blood into a special tube, incubating it at 37 degrees for 23 h, and then centrifuging it to separate the serum. The extracted material is divided into portions of 1.5 ml and frozen at -18 degrees. From one procedure we are able to obtain 15 to 18 ml of preparation.

The therapy involves administering the preparation 3 times, a week apart, precisely at the site of nerve root compression.

The vast majority of owners, more than 90%, indicated the occurrence of improvement in their animals, although the time to obtain it varied from patient to patient.