Small Animal Spinal Cord Disorders Part I

Question 1

why do animals with cervical pain hold in flexion?

Answer 1

to open spinal canal: low head carriage

Question 2

where is regional thickening of the spinal cord?

Answer 2

cervical intumessence: C6-T2
lumbar intumessence: L4-S3

Question 3

where are upper motor neurons?

Answer 3

begin within brain
entirely confined to CNS

Question 4

what are the lower motor neuron signs in the urinary bladder?

Answer 4

large, flaccid bladder
easily expressible
constant dribbling

Question 5

what types of lesions can be chronic?

Answer 5

compression
inflammation
degeneration
malformation
neoplasia

Question 6

what is wallerian degeneration?

Answer 6

degeneration from the point of destruction to the structure innervated

Question 7

what are some extradural types of spinal cord damage?

Answer 7

disc herniation, protrusion
neoplasia
granuloma
discospondylitis

Question 8

what is the order of functional loss with severity?

Answer 8

proprioceptive function lost first
voluntary motor function
nociception lost last

Question 9

what is schiff sherrington posture caused by?

Answer 9

lack of inhibition by interneurons called border cells to the lower motor neurons innervation thoracic limb extensor muscles

Question 10

what does a two engine gait look like?

Answer 10

lower motor neuron signs in front: short choppy gait
upper motor neuron signs in back: long exaggerated gait

Question 11

what does Horner’s syndrome most commonly occur with?

Answer 11

C6-T2 localization

Question 12

what is required to lose nociception?

Answer 12

transverse lesion to the spinal cord: full thickness

Question 13

why is there extra space in the cervical spine?

Answer 13

change in diameter spinal cord and spinal canal
sliding back and forth of spinal cord

Question 14

what is ventral and dorsal in the gray matter of the spinal cord?

Answer 14

motor ventral
sensory dorsal

Question 15

what are the four segments of the spinal cord for localization?

Answer 15

C1-C5
C6-T2
T3-L3
L4-S3

Question 16

does wallerian degeneration affect ascending or descending tracts?

Answer 16

both

Question 17

what are lower motor neuron lesions characterized by?

Answer 17

ability to initiate gait but not support weight

Question 18

what are upper motor neuron lesions characterized by?

Answer 18

ability to support weight but not initiate gait

Question 19

why do proprioceptive ataxia and paresis occur together?

Answer 19

involvement of proprioceptive tracts and motor tracts

Question 20

what does a two-engine gait indicate for localization?

Answer 20

C6-T2

Question 21

where do interneurons synapse to form thee lateral thoracic nerve which innervates the cutaneous trunci muscle?

Answer 21

C8-T1

Question 22

what happens in a fibrocartilaginous embolism?

Answer 22

obliteration of spinal cord terminal end arteries with nucleus pulposus material

Question 23

are signs usually asymmetric or symmetric with fibrocartilaginous embolism?

Answer 23

asymmetrical due to blood supply

Question 24

are fibrocartilaginous embolisms usually painful?

Answer 24

no, only painful initially

Question 25

what is fibrocartilaginous embolism related to?

Answer 25

exercise and physical activity

Question 26

what is the most common site of diskospondylitis?

Answer 26

L7-S1
40% have multiple lesions

Question 27

what is a common agent of diskospondylitis?

Answer 27

Brucella spp

Question 28

what is diskospondylitis an infection of?

Answer 28

vertebral endplates and intervertebral disc

Question 29

what breeds are predisposed to steroid responsive meningitis arteritis?

Answer 29

beagles
bernese mountain dogs
boxers

Question 30

how does steroid responsive meningitis arteritis present?

Answer 30

neck pain
fever
young dogs