Cervical intervertebral disc protrusion in two horses.
Abstract: Two horses with ataxia of all four limbs were found to have cervical intervertebral disc protrusion. Severe pelvic limb ataxia, proprioceptive deficits and spasticity were present in both horses with similar but less severe signs in the thoracic limbs. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was within normal limits. Metrizamide myelography allowed definitive diagnosis in one case when a compression of the spinal cord was demonstrated at the level of the second intervertebral space. In the second case, an intervertebral disc protrusion between cervical vertebrae 6 and 7 was found at necropsy. Fiber degeneration with poor myelin staining characterized the spinal cords histologically.
Publication Date: 1983-06-01 PubMed ID: 17422269PubMed Central: PMC1790361
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates two cases of four-limbed ataxia in horses, caused by cervical intervertebral disc protrusion, diagnosed through different methods including Metrizamide myelography and post-mortem examination.
Overview of the Research
- The research involved studying two cases where horses exhibited ataxia or lack of muscle control in all four limbs. This condition was identified to be due to a specific health disorder – protrusion of the cervical intervertebral disc.
- The investigation focused on severe symptoms of ataxia relating to the hind limbs (pelvic limbs), along with proprioceptive deficits (disorders that affect the perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body) and spasticity. These symptoms were also apparent in the front limbs (thoracic limbs) but to a lesser degree.
Diagnosis and Investigation
- The study made use of cerebrospinal fluid analysis, which was found to be within normal limits, suggesting that the observed symptoms did not originate from a cerebrospinal fluid-related disease or condition.
- Metrizamide myelography, a technique used to visualize the spinal cord, was used to diagnose the condition in one of the horses. This diagnostic method showed that the spinal cord was compressed at the second intervertebral space, which was indicative of disc protrusion. This method effective illustrated the cause of the problematic symptoms.
- In the second case, the presence of a protruded intervertebral disc was identified post-mortem, found to be between cervical vertebrae 6 and 7.
Examination of the Spinal Cords
- Upon histologic examination of the spinal cords, fiber degeneration with poor myelin staining was observed. Myelin is an essential part of the nervous system, providing insulating coverage for nerve cells. Poor myelin staining thus points towards possible nerve cell damage.
- This histology result further emphasizes the impact of the protruding cervical intervertebral disk on the function of the nervous system, possibly causing the observed ataxia and related symptoms in the four limbs of the horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Foss RR, Genetzky RM, Riedesel EA, Graham C.
(1983).
Cervical intervertebral disc protrusion in two horses.
Can Vet J, 24(6), 188-191.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
References
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Alini M, Diwan AD, Erwin WM, Little CB, Melrose J. An update on animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration and low back pain: Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to improve research analysis and development of prospective therapeutics.. JOR Spine 2023 Mar;6(1):e1230.
- Story MR, Haussler KK, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW. Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 6;11(2).
- Veraa S, Scheffer CJW, Smeets DHM, de Bruin RB, Hoogendoorn AC, Vernooij JCM, Nielen M, Back W. Cervical disc width index is a reliable parameter and consistent in young growing Dutch Warmblood horses.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2020 Oct 13;62(1):11-9.
- Veraa S, Bergmann W, Wijnberg ID, Back W, Vernooij H, Nielen M, van den Belt AM. Equine cervical intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with location and MRI features.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019 Nov;60(6):696-706.
- Nappert G, Vrins A, Breton L, Beauregard M. A retrospective study of nineteen ataxic horses.. Can Vet J 1989 Oct;30(10):802-6.
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