Cauda Equina Flashcards
where is the cauda equina?
(L6)
L7
sacrum
what are the typical clinical signs of cauda equina?
reduced tail function to flaccid tail
urinary and fecal incontinence
mild hind end weakness
lameness
pain
what leads to degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
big range of motion at the L7-S1 vertebral unit
who mainly gets osteochondrosis in degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
german shepherd dogs
boxers
rottweilers
which breeds usually get degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
german shepherd
malinois
retriever
collie
boxer
what is the conservative management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
exercise restriction
NSAID
pain medication
what is a negative for conservative management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
high risk of recurrence of signs
which cases of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis should be referred to surgery?
pain
weakness
lameness
what are the common deficits with sacro caudal luxation fractures?
paralysis and analgesia of tail
urinary incontinence
abnormal perianal reflex
reduced to absent anal sphincter tone
hind end weakness
what are the signs with group 1 sacro caudal luxation fractures?
paralyzed and analgesic tail
normal urinary function
no hind end weakness
what are the common causes of cauda equina?
discospondylitis, abscessation
fractures, luxation
vertebral malformations, spina bifida
nerve sheath tumor, other tumors
degenerative lumbosacral stenosis
disk herniation
what is degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
degenerative changes of intervertebral disk, articular joint, ligament and vertebral damage produce compression of nerve roots
where is osteochondrosis in degenerative lumbosacral stenosis usually?
sacrum
is there a sex predilection for degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
male>female
what can be seen on radiographs in degenerative lumbosacral stenosis?
collapse of disk space
end plate sclerosis
downwards elongation sacral lamina
ventral spondylosis
step formation L7-S1
OCD formation
vacuum phenomenon
