Clinical Findings, Treatments and Outcomes in Farm Animals with Vertebral Fractures or Luxations: 22 Cases (2006–2017)

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, medical and surgical treatment and outcome of 22 farm animals diagnosed with a vertebral fracture or luxation. Study design Medical records of 22 farm animals (7 goats, 6 alpacas, 5 cattle, 3 sheep and 1 deer) were reviewed for signalment, history, presenting clinical signs and neurological examination findings, clinicopathological results, diagnostic imaging, final diagnosis, medical and surgical management, clinical progression and outcome. Results Animals' age ranged from 1 day to 15 years. Neurological examination findings included decreased motor function (20/22), recumbency (14/22), altered mentation (13/22), cranial nerve deficits (4/22) and lack of nociception (3/22). Lesions were localized to the atlanto-occipital region (2/22), C1 to C5 (7/22), C6 to T2 (4/22), T3 to L3 (3/22), and L4 to S1 (6/22). Diagnoses included vertebral fracture only (4/22), luxation only (5/22) or both vertebral fracture and luxation (13/22). In five cases, no therapy was attempted, while 12 cases were treated medically and five cases were treated surgically. Surgical interventions included manual reduction (n = 1); arthrodesis (n = 2); laminectomy (n = 1); and laminectomy with pin fixation, cerclage wire and polymethylmethacrylate bridging (n = 1). Five of the 22 cases survived to hospital discharge; two of these were treated surgically. Conclusion The cervical region was most commonly affected. Prognosis for these injuries in farm animals is guarded.

Schiff‐Sherrington syndromein a 7‐year‐old zebra mare (Equus quagga)

“…Surgical treatment options depend on the location of the spinal column injury as well as the severity of neurological symptoms. It is recommended for cases showing instability of the vertebral column with moderate to severe neurological symptoms (Boorman et al., 2019; Vallefuoco et al., 2014). The most important parameter to be able to assess the prognosis is nociception, which is correlated with the severity of the injury of the spinal cord (Grasmueck & Steffen, 2004).…”

Spinal stabilisation using a polyvinilidine (Lubra) plate in a pot‐bellied pig

“…Although several clinical studies have described treatment and outcome in dogs and cats with spinal fractures and luxation,1 14 24 25 there are limited reports of similar cases being treated in farm animals 26–29. One potential reason is the financial burden of surgical treatments, especially given that most of these animals have a limited financial value for their owners.…”

“…Although several clinical studies have described treatment and outcome in dogs and cats with spinal fractures and luxation, 1 14 24 25 there are limited reports of similar cases being treated in farm animals. [26][27][28][29] One potential reason is the financial burden of surgical treatments, especially given that most of these animals have a limited financial value for their owners. However, as pet pigs become more popular, more owners will likely consider treatment in these cases, and therefore studies on the best stabilisation techniques and outcome are needed to guide clinician decisions and help with therapeutic management of these animals.…”

Computed tomographic characterisation of vertebral osteomyelitis in a goat kid

“…Subscribe to Vet record Case reports and you can: ► Submit as many cases as you like ► enjoy fast sympathetic peer review and rapid publication of accepted articles ► access all the published articles ► re-use any of the published material for personal use and teaching without further permission For information on institutional Fellowships contact consortiasales@bmjgroup.com Visit vetrecordcasereports.bvapublications.com for more articles like this and to become a subscriber fractures luxation, three animals treated medically and two surgically treated (one of them being a seven-week-old goat kid with a C2-C3 luxation treated by cervical arthrodesis) had a good long-term outcome that suggests that some of these lesions do not necessarily represent a death sentence in these species and advance imaging can be an important tool to help with treatment recommendations. 27 Digital radiology and CT both assisted in ruling out differentials and coming to the diagnosis more efficiently than by clinical signs and laboratory testing alone. Both should be considered as effective diagnostic modalities for young neurological goats presenting with progressive paralysis.…”