This is the peer-reviewed, manuscript version of an article published in Veterinary Record. The final version is available online via http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.104528.The full details of the published version of the article are as follows: TITLE: Comparison of medical and surgical treatment for acute cervical compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs AUTHORS: Borlace, T., Gutierrez-Quintana, R., Taylor clinical presentation, or imaging findings between both groups. Two dogs in the medically 30 managed group underwent surgical decompression due to an unsatisfactory response to 31 medical management. All cases for which long-term information was available (n=30) were 32 neurologically normal at the time of data collection. There were no significant differences for 33 any of the short or long-term outcome variables between both treatment groups. This study 34 demonstrated successful outcomes after medical or surgical treatment and suggests that both 35 treatment modalities can be considered for dogs with cervical HNPE. 36 37