Syringomyelia in the Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord of an African Wild Dog (Lycaon Pictus)
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 5
Abstract
A captive born neonatal African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) exhibited hind limb weakness and ataxia since the onset of ambulation. Initial examination at one month of age revealed postural reaction deficits in both hind legs and moderate muscle atrophy. After sustaining a bite wound to the head, the animal was reexamined at 87 days of age. A cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a mild mononuclear pleocytosis. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a large syrinx in the thoracolumbar spinal cord. The animal was subsequently euthanized and necropsy confirmed the presence of a 1.5 cm x 3 mm syrinx at the T13-L1 level of the spinal cord. This is the first report of syringomyelia in any nondomestic canid. Limited genetic diversity in the captive African wild dog population may contribute to increasing prevalence of rare congenital and inherited diseases, which could support strict breeding management in this species. A 31-day-old, captive born, male, African wild dog (Lycaon pictus, AWD) displayed hind limb ataxia and weakness since the onset of ambulation. Separation of the animal carried a high risk of aggression to the litter from the pack, leading to a conservative medical approach throughout the case. At 36 days of age, the clinical signs became more notable and the animal was visually smaller and thinner than its littermates. Although able to stand, it displayed an unsteady gait, taking a few steps at a time before the hind limbs collapsed. On physical examination, the animal was bright, alert and responsive, had a body condition score of 2/5, and displayed postural reaction (PR) deficits in both hind legs, more pronounced on the left. The remainder of the neurological examination, including the thoracic limb reflexes and cranial nerve evaluation, was normal. Ulcerated skin calluses of 1 cm diameter were present bilaterally on the elbows as a result of the hind limb weakness and increased time spent in recumbency. Mild laxity in the coxofemoral joints was noted on palpation. Radiographs showed left coxofemoral joint subluxation and mild muscle atrophy of the left hind limb. There was also asymmetry of the left capital femoral physis. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed (HiSpeed CT/I, GE Medical Systems, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188, USA; 3mm slice thickness, 1.25 mm reconstruction interval, soft tissue reconstruction algorithm) that supported the findings of the left hind limb muscle atrophy, but could not confirm the coxofemoral joint changes seen on radiographs. No abnormalities of the vertebral column or spinal cord were detected. The gait abnormalities were thought to be due to laxity in the tendons and ligaments of the coxofemoral joints. As the animal grew, its ability to ambulate improved, but the gait remained abnormal with the animal intermittently falling to the side with both hind limbs. At 45 days of age it was able to keep up with the pack and by 52 days the elbow lesions were resolving. At 66 days of age, the animal was reevaluated. Body condition score had declined to 1.5/5 and new superficial abrasions were present on the dorsal lateral aspect of both hind feet, due to its abnormal ambulation. Significant muscle atrophy and marked ataxia in the hind end were noted. The animal was able to rise to a standing position and ambulate, but would drag its hind legs more often than previously observed, especially at a run. PR was now completely absent in both pelvic limbs. No pain was elicited on spinal or neck palpation, and deep pain was present bilaterally in the hind feet. Mentation was still normal, thoracic reflexes were normal, and anal tone was present. The animal was suspected to have a spinal lesion caudal to third thoracic vertebrae (T3), given a guarded prognosis, and returned to the litter with close monitoring of quality of life.
Authors and Affiliations
Jessica M Weeks BS, Jennifer N Langan, Hylton Gelb, Benjamin N Nevitt, Sarah M Corner, Michael J Adkesson
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP572867
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000425
- Views 200
- Downloads 0
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