Equine Cervical Vertebral Malformation

Question 1

Which breeds are more commonly affected by CVM?

Answer 1

Thoroughbred and QTRhorse

Question 2

What is a consistent pathologic finding in horses w/CVM?

Answer 2

Narrowing of the vertebral canal

Question 3

What age of horses is typically affected by CVM?

Answer 3

Young (6mo-3yr)

Question 4

Are clinical signs assoc. w/CVM asymmetric or symmetric?

Answer 4

Symmetric

Question 5

What clinical signs do you see with CVM?

Answer 5

Symmetric ataxia, paresis, spacticity

Question 6

Which set of limbs is more profoundly affected by CVM?

Answer 6

Usually worse in hindlimbs

Question 7

What type of gait abnormalities will you see in the hindlimbs of a CVM horse?

Answer 7

Toe dragging and circumduction, wide-based stance

Question 8

How do you dx CVM?

Answer 8

Cervical radiographs w/ or w/o myelography

Question 9

What is the sagittal ratio?

Answer 9

Determined by measuring smallest sagittal diameter of vertebral canal and dividing by the width of the cranial aspect of the widest point of the vertebral body

Question 10

What is the normal sagittal ratio?

Answer 10

> 52% (C4-6) to 56% (C7)

Question 11

What is necessary for definitive ante-mortem dx of CVM?

Answer 11

Myelographic study

Question 12

How do you surgically treat CVM?

Answer 12

Stabilize vertebrae/decompression but high risk

Question 13

How do you medically treat CVM?

Answer 13

Stall rest, anti-inflammatories, dietary restriction

Question 14

What is the prognosis for CVM?

Answer 14

Poor

Question 15

What is the common name for CVM?

Answer 15

Wobbler syndrome

Question 16

Which are the typical sites of dynamic spinal cord compression?

Answer 16

C3-4 and C4-5

Question 17

Which are the typical sites of static spinal cord compression?

Answer 17

C5-6 and C6-7