Vertebral Malformation/Vertebral Canal Stenosis
Vertebral malformations encompass a range of vertebral abnormalities including block vertebrae, hemivertebrae, “butterfly” vertebrae, and any other deformity of the vertebrae thought to be the result of abnormal bone formation.
Age of Onset: Any age can be affected
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs vary. Some animals may be asymptomatic while others demonstrate static or dynamic clinical signs based on the location and severity of spinal cord compression resulting from the vertebral malformation.
Clinical signs vary. Some animals may be asymptomatic while others demonstrate static or dynamic clinical signs based on the location and severity of spinal cord compression resulting from the vertebral malformation.
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Painful postures such as limited movement of a body part
Movement
Varying degrees of limb dysfunction
Proprioception
Paresis or paralysis
Spinal Reflexes
If the location of compression involves an area of the spinal cord known as intumescences, decreased to absent reflexes often result. When the compression occurs over other regions of the spinal cord, the spinal reflexes will be normal to increased.
Special Reflexes (e.g. cutaneous trunci)
May be abnormal if the disease occurs in the thoracolumbar spinal cord
Special functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
With more severe spinal impairment, voluntary urination and defecation may be lost.
Painful reactions
Compression may result in spinal pain, however, this is not always consistent.
Pain Sensation
Depends on the degree of spinal disease. With severe spinal cord pathology, pain sensation may be lost caudal to the disease location.
Posture and Appearance
Painful postures such as limited movement of a body part
Movement
Varying degrees of limb dysfunction
Proprioception
Paresis or paralysis
Spinal Reflexes
If the location of compression involves an area of the spinal cord known as intumescences, decreased to absent reflexes often result. When the compression occurs over other regions of the spinal cord, the spinal reflexes will be normal to increased.
Special Reflexes (e.g. cutaneous trunci)
May be abnormal if the disease occurs in the thoracolumbar spinal cord
Special functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
With more severe spinal impairment, voluntary urination and defecation may be lost.
Painful reactions
Compression may result in spinal pain, however, this is not always consistent.
Pain Sensation
Depends on the degree of spinal disease. With severe spinal cord pathology, pain sensation may be lost caudal to the disease location.
Spinal cord - variable
Unknown
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