Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome had neck instability and spinal cord
By Choi, Simon et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2023·Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Case report: Atlantoaxial instability and subluxation in a dog with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-month-old male miniature Dachshund was brought in after suddenly losing strength in all four legs. The vet found that he had a serious neck issue called atlantoaxial instability, which was causing pressure on his spinal cord. An MRI confirmed this, and the dog underwent surgery to stabilize his neck. After the surgery, the dog was sent home, but the vet noticed that his skin was fragile and tore easily, which is linked to a condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. With proper care, the dog was able to recover from the surgery.
People also search for: Dachshund neck problems · dog surgery recovery · Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in dogs
Abstract
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare, heritable connective tissue disorder characterized by soft, hyperextensible skin, joint hypermobility, and tissue fragility, the severity of which can range from mild to severe. A 9-month-old male entire miniature Dachshund was presented following peracute tetraparesis. Neurological examination was suggestive of intracranial vestibular disease or high cervical myelopathy. MRI revealed atlantoaxial instability and subluxation, resulting in marked spinal cord compression at C1-C2, which was surgically stabilized. On discharge from the hospital, skin fragility was noted as the result of skin tearing during tape removal. A piece of full-thickness antebrachial skin was submitted for histopathology which showed changes consistent with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. This case report describes the first case of atlantoaxial instability and subluxation in a dog as the result of a confirmed underlying collagenopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37601761/