Fibrocartilaginous emboli in a tayra (Eira barbara): a case report.

An 8-yr-old male tayra (Eira barbara) was presented with acute onset of pelvic limb paralysis. Radiography was unremarkable. Neurologic examination showed signs consistent with an intramedullary lesion between the second thoracic and fifth lumbar spinal cord segments. The animal's condition did not improve after 4 days of aggressive glucocorticoid therapy, and euthanasia was performed. Histologic examination of the spinal cord showed amorphous emboli suggestive of cartilaginous fragments within spinal veins. A diagnosis of fibrocartilaginous emboli was made, the first known case in a mustelid.