UMN: Intervertebral disc disease

41 UMN

Intervertebral disc disease

INTRODUCTION

The anulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc may rupture or bulge, and compress the adjacent spinal cord, nerve root, or both. Normal activity is sufficient to precipitate IVDD in a degenerate disc (Figs 41.1 and 41.2 and see Table 41.1).

Table 41.1 The nature of the anulus pathology has been categorized as type I or type II

  Type I Type II
Pathology Tear, rupture Bulge, prolapse
Breed

Signs may occur suddenly or gradually. They can resolve with time and rest, or progressively worsen. Pain is a common sign, occurring in 60–70% of affected dogs (Table 41.2).

Table 41.2 Signs of disc disease

  Cervical Thoracolumbar
Location All, except C1–2 Caudal to T9–10
Common presentation
Pain perception Intact May be absent
Respiration ± Hypoventilation Unaffected

Cats are also affected by spontaneously occurring Type I disc disease. Type II is found as an incidental finding at post-mortem. The range of clinical presentations is similar to the dog. Pain may or may not accompany feline IVDD. The age range for feline IVDD is wide: 4–17 years, with most affected before 8 years of age.

The following cases of two dogs with hindlimb ataxia illustrate the differences in localizing lesions between large and small breed dogs.

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Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on UMN: Intervertebral disc disease

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