Canine Sacro-Pelvic Pathology Flashcards
Degenerative Myelopathy
progressive
no cure
onset between 8-14 yeras
large breed dogs - but have seen in small breeds - most likely german sheperds
NOT painful - there can be other diseases that are the cause of pain
clinical signs degenerative myelopathy
progressive ataxia
weakness
incontinence - fecal, urninary
leads to paraplegia
Causes of degenerative myelopathy
demyelination
axonal loss
genetic component
Diagnosis degnerative myelopathy
diagnosis of exclusion - MRI and myelogram
muscle testing
genetic testing - SOD1, univeristy of missouri
Degenerative myelopathy looks like
IVDD
Tumors
Cysts
LS disease
degenerateive myelopathy MRI to rule out
multiple other causes
Treatment of degenerative myelopathy
no proven treatments - antioxidant support and nutritional support
nursing care - keep them moving (underwater treadmills), disease progresses they weaken with exercise
Chiropractic care for degenerative myelopathy
careful - loss of muscle tone leads to increase in ROM of the joints
frequent care - weekly in advanced disease - early disease every 2-4 weeks
the only thing that I have found to help these patients (even better than acupuncture)
even needed after paraplegia due to increased work of the front end and weight balance
Lumbosacral disease/stenosis (cauda equina syndrome)
high motion joint
lumbosacral disease/stenosis (cauda equina syndrome) signalment
males more than females
large breed dogs more than small breeds
6-7 years onset - usually chronic use injury - degenerative process
overweight increases morbidity
L5 stenosis clinical signs
painful
trouble defacating
trouble posturing to defecate
incontinence
hind end weakness - MR for spinal cord compression - VLL to ligamentous change
L5 stenosis causes
chronic Hansen’s type II degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the L7-S1 intervertebral disc
hypertrophy and ventral folding of the interarcuate ligament
osteoarthritis and subsequent joint capsule proliferation of the articular facets of L7-S1 articulation
subluxation of the sacrum in relation to the L7 vertebra
L5 stenosis diagnosis
physical exam - rectal palpation
radiographs
myelogram
MRI
L5 stenosis treatment
pain management
weight management
stool softeners
L5 stenosis surgery
decompression
stabilization
weight management
should be 5
L5 stenosis treatment
chiropractic care
careful - can damage and increase inflammation of the ventral ligament - x-ray before ever going to adjust this - NEVER adjust sever spondylosis
small - low velocity thrusting to this area and recheck quickly (2-4 days)
monitor inflammation resulting from adjustments
DO NOT adjust if there is LS instability
L5 stenosis long term care
restriction of the SI and the damage/scarring of rest of the anatomy changes way of going
subluxation care - frequent after healing has taken place to restore normal joint mobility
rehabilitation - restore normal muscle function
Hip dysplasia breed
German Shepards
Hip dysplasia
puppy or young dog disease - causes pain and laxity causes stress and strain - use 1 leg more, rabbit hopping
conformation change - acetabulum and femur no good socket
tendon and ligament laxity - extra movement in the hip - causes OA from lack of congruency
due to instability of the joint
incongruence of the acetabulum with femoral head
painful 6 mo to 2 years
large breed dogs
results in OA
hip dysplasia
OA of hips isn’t always
hip dysplasia
clinical signs hip dysplasis
resistance to jump
bunny hopping when running
physical exam hip dysplasia
resistance to extension
resistance to abduction
can move the femoral head out of socket
