Diagnosis and treatment of lumbosacral discospondylitis in a calf

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this case report was to describe the clinical findings, treatment and outcome of lumbosacral discospondylitis in a calf.Case PresentationA 5.5-month-old calf was presented with difficulty in rising, a stiff and slightly ataxic gait in the hind limbs and a shortened stride. The lumbosacral region was severely painful on palpation.Radiographic examination confirmed lumbosacral discospondylitis. Medical treatment with stall rest was instituted over six weeks. Radiographic and ultrasonographic follow-up examinations showed lysis of the endplates initially, then collapse of the intervertebral space at the lumbosacral junction and progressive sclerosis in the periphery of the lytic zones. Four weeks after institution of treatment, the calf could rise normally and the general condition gradually had returned to normal. The calf was discharged after 6 weeks and was sound at 3.5 months clinical and radiographic follow up examination. Thereafter, it was kept on alpine pastures without problems and was pregnant 1 year after the last examination.ConclusionsThis report shows that recovery from lumbosacral discospondylitis is possible in heifers, provided that treatment is started before major neurologic deficits have developed and is continued for an extended period of time.

Dorsal laminectomy for treatment of cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy in an alpaca

“…Early identification of diskospondylitis is critical: in human patients, if spinal cord compression results in paralysis for > 24 to 36 hours before treatment is initiated, neurologic function rarely returns. 4 Acute forms of diskospondylitis in humans, horses, and cattle have been managed medically with prompt antimicrobial treatment, [5][6][7] and this may have changed the clinical course of the case of the present report, if the condition had been identified and treated earlier. 8,9 With more advanced disease, bone and ligamentous remodeling has been described in humans and horses, resulting in spinal cord compression and potentially manifesting in neurologic deficits and reduced neck mobility, as was seen in this alpaca.…”

CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING FINDINGS IN AN ITALIAN WOLF (CANIS LUPUS ITALICUS) WITH DISCOSPONDYLITIS

“…The most frequently isolated pathogens in blood, urine, vertebral body, and endplate in the dog are coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. 3,5,10 The rate of isolation of causative agent from blood and urine can range from 29 to 78%. Percutaneous aspiration of disc or biopsy may have a higher success range.…”

Surgical intervention for vertebral osteomyelitis in a calf

“…Vertebral osteomyelitis is rarely reported in juvenile cattle. Presentation varies according to lesion location, with reported clinical signs including progressive weakness, ataxia, difficulty rising, and observation of a “dog‐sitting position.” Determination of presumptive diagnosis is based on the acute onset of clinical signs and progression of neurologic deficits in the absence of identifiable systemic disease, with differential diagnoses including congenital vertebral or spinal cord anomaly, vertebral fracture or luxation secondary to trauma (particularly in cases of dystocia), epidural spinal abscessation, neoplasia, or Hypoderma bovis spinal larval migrans …”

“…Clinical pathologic analysis in cases of bovine vertebral osteomyelitis may reveal abnormalities consistent with inflammation in the peripheral blood (eg, neutrophilia, hyperfibrinogenemia) and cerebrospinal fluid (increased protein, mononuclear pleocytosis) . However, these findings are inconsistent and nondiagnostic.…”

“…However, these findings are inconsistent and nondiagnostic. A range of aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal organisms have been cultured from these lesions both antemortem and postmortem, including Trueperella pyogenes , Aspergillus fumigatus , Streptococcus epidermidis , Fusobacterium spp , Bacteriodes nodosus , Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella dublin, Pseudomonas spp, and Escherichia coli …”