Vertebral Malformation- Cervical
This disease is characterized by vertebral malformations. Examples include block vertebrae, hemi-vertebrae, or butterfly vertebrae. Neurologic signs occur as a result of spinal cord compression secondary to abnormal vertebral morphology. Compression primarily occurs along the dorsal and lateral aspects of the spinal cord, but can occur anywhere.
Age of Onset: Any age can be affected
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Variable – may progress over time
Variable – may progress over time
Clinical Signs:
*Clinical signs reflect the location of the vertebral malformation. In once case report a Border Collie was diagnosed with a cervical vertebral malformation resulting in clinical signs corresponding to a C1-C5 lesion of the spinal cord.
Posture and Appearance
Cervical scoliosis or torticollis
Movement
Ataxia
Hypermetria
Paresis
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Spinal Reflexes
Can be normal or increased/decreased depending on the location of the lesion and the degree of spinal cord involvement
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Fecal incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Painful Reactions
May have pain on palpation of the vertebral column over the affected area
*Clinical signs reflect the location of the vertebral malformation. In once case report a Border Collie was diagnosed with a cervical vertebral malformation resulting in clinical signs corresponding to a C1-C5 lesion of the spinal cord.
Posture and Appearance
Cervical scoliosis or torticollis
Movement
Ataxia
Hypermetria
Paresis
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Spinal Reflexes
Can be normal or increased/decreased depending on the location of the lesion and the degree of spinal cord involvement
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Fecal incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Painful Reactions
May have pain on palpation of the vertebral column over the affected area
Spinal cord-variable locations
Unknown
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