Spinal diseases Flashcards
Outline general findings in atlanto-axial instability
Atlantoaxial Instability (Subluxation) • young dogs (<2y), Toy breeds • acute or more gradual with waxing and waning • failure of ligamentous support, usually associated with aplasia/hypoplasia of dens in Toy breeds • sometimes associated with trauma • Clinical signs • neck pain • ataxia or tetraparesis
Outline osseous wobblers
Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Osseous-Associated)
Giant breeds; Great Danes, Mastiffs
Usually younger than 3–4 y
Usually chronic but can be acute
Deficits common; obvious ataxia and tetraparesis Pain usually mild; seen in 50% of cases
Outline disc associated wobblers
Cervical Spondylomyelopathy (Disk-Associated)
Large dogs; Dobermans, Weimaraners
Middle-aged to old dogs
Usually chronic but can be acute
Deficits common; obvious ataxia and tetraparesis
Pain usually mild; seen in 50%–70% of cases
Outline FCEs
Breed - Any; usually large Age - Any; commonly middle-aged Acute Deficits common; usually strongly asymmetric Pain absent (after 12–24 h)
Outline SRMA
Boxers, beagles, Berneses, English pointers, Golden retrievers
Normally young; usually younger than 2 y
Acute or subacute
Deficits uncommon
Pain severe
Outline hemivertebra
Screw-tailed breeds, French bulldogs, others Young; usually younger than 1 y Chronic Deficits common; paraparesis and ataxia Pain rare
Outline degenerative myelopathy
Mainly large; German shepherds, Boxers, Pembroke Welsh corgis
Older than 5 y
Chronic (months)
Ataxia and paraparesis. The decreased patellar reflex is usually a manifestation of a dorsal (sensory) radiculopathy, and not a lower motor neuron sign Pain absent
How would diseases of L6-sacrum present?
These diseases may cause paraparesis with or without proprioceptive deficits but without proprioceptive ataxia because the spinal cord is not affected. Lameness is also frequently observed with asymmetric lesions in this area
Outline lumbosacral stenosis
Usually large breeds; German shepherds are overrepresented
Middle-aged to old
Chronic
Deficits (paresis) Typically mild-to-moderate; can be severe in late stages; lameness may be the only sign
Pain often present, but may only be elicited with deep spinal palpation
Outline discospondylitis
Any breed; usually large and giant breeds Any age; commonly young to middle-aged Usually acute Deficitis usually not present initially Severe pain, sometimes not localizable
What are the signs of brachial plexus avulsion?
✜ Avulsion of the cranial plexus roots (C6–C7 nerve roots) causes loss of shoulder movement and elbow flexion, although the animal can still bear weight on the limb as the extension of the elbow is spared. Cutaneous sensation may be lost in the dorsum of the paw and in the cranial and lateral antebrachium.
✜ Avulsion of the caudal plexus roots (C8–T2 nerve roots) results in carriage of the limb with the elbow and shoulder flexed, and inability to bear weight due to paralysis of the triceps brachii muscle (elbow extension). The elbow is dropped and knuckling of the carpus is marked on evaluation of the gait. Cutaneous
sensation may be lost distal to the elbow.
✜ Complete avulsion of all plexus roots (C6–T2 nerve roots) causes a flaccid limb with inability to bear weight and loss of cutaneous sensation in the entire limb.
Many cats with brachial plexus avulsion will also present with ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome and/or loss of the cutaneous trunci reflex.
How would radial nerve damage appear?
The limb may be carried off the ground with the elbow flexed if the musculocutaneous nerve is intact.
How common is IVDD in cats?
V rare
Disc extrusions causing neurological dysfunction are more common in the T10–S1 segments of the spine; in particular, the thoracolumbar junction (T13–L1) and L4–L6segment
Type 1 is more common
When is lymphosarcoma 98% likely in a spinal case?
3-4 neurolocations
cat over 10
Outline CSF analysis in SRMA
CSF analysis usually reveals a neutrophilic pleocytosis with an increased protein level. In chronic cases, mononuclear cells may be identified.
What is vertebral physitis?
occurs in skeletally immature dogs and may result in vertebral body collapse and secondary vertebral malformation
What is diskospondylitis
refers to primary infection of the cartilaginous vertebral end plates with secondary involvement of the disc.
What are the common signs of diskospondylitis?
spinal pain is a common clinical sign of this condition. Other clinical signs may include vertebral hyperaesthesia or pain, malaise (eg, lethargy and unwillingness to go for walks), severe neurological deficits (such as paraplegia), anorexia and pyrexia. Young, male, large breed dogs are overrepresented.
How do you diagnose disko?
he common radiographic signs are vertebral end plate lysis, disc space narrowing and sclerosis. Depending on the severity of the presenting clinical signs (eg, severe paresis or plegia), advanced imaging may be more appropriate in order to reach a diagnosis and assess spinal cord compression. MRI is again the imaging modality of choice as it will identify early changes that may not be seen in both radiography and CT scans
Should also do urine/ blood cultures
