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Caudal lumbar disc disease presenting as ‘praying position’‐like posture and gait

Authors :
Annette Wessmann
Orit Chai
Samantha Lindley
Irene Espadas
Source :
Veterinary Record Case Reports. 3
Publication Year :
2015
Publisher :
Wiley, 2015.

Abstract

A 10-year-old Border collie and a five-year-old Domestic shorthaired cat are reported with a ‘praying’-like posture as clinical presentation for caudal lumbar disc disease. Neurological examination localised to L6-S3 spinal cord segments or nerve roots. Advanced diagnostic imaging revealed disc herniations at L7-S1 vertebrae in the dog and at L6-L7 vertebrae in the cat. The dog improved significantly with conservative treatment whereas the cat underwent a decompressive dorsal laminectomy followed by complete resolution of his clinical signs. This unusual posture leads to increased space for the cauda equina within the vertebral canal by widening the caudal lumbar intervertebral spaces and thus suspected to alleviate the pain more successfully compared with a normal posture. A ‘praying position’-like posture has not been reported as a clinical manifestation for caudal lumbar disc disease in a dog and a cat, yet should be considered as a differential diagnosis for this unusual pain relief posture.

Details

ISSN :
20526121
Volume :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Veterinary Record Case Reports
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........504772415999c540b4a068ea3ff7433b
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2014-000139