Boorman Sophie, Johnson Amy L, Schaer Thomas P, Fecteau Marie-Eve
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Unites States.
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2019 Nov;32(6):492-498. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1692637. Epub 2019 Jun 26.
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.
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.
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 ( = 1); arthrodesis ( = 2); laminectomy ( = 1); and laminectomy with pin fixation, cerclage wire and polymethylmethacrylate bridging ( = 1). Five of the 22 cases survived to hospital discharge; two of these were treated surgically.
The cervical region was most commonly affected. Prognosis for these injuries in farm animals is guarded.
