Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Goat unable to walk due to spinal infection treated with surgery
By Kent, Marc et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2021·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (Kent), United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnosis and treatment of epidural empyema in a pygmy goat.
- Species:
- goat
Plain-English summary
A mixed-breed pygmy goat was brought in because it couldn't walk and showed weakness in all four legs. After some initial medical treatment, an MRI revealed a mass pressing on its spinal cord, which was causing the problem. The goat underwent surgery to relieve the pressure, and it was found to have an infection in the epidural space (epidural empyema). After surgery, the goat received anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics, and physical therapy, and it was able to walk again by two weeks post-surgery. By two months later, the goat had fully recovered and no longer needed antibiotics.
People also search for: pygmy goat can't walk · goat spinal cord surgery · epidural empyema treatment in goats
Abstract
A mixed-breed pygmy goat was presented for nonambulatory tetraparesis. Neurological examination was consistent with a C6 to T2 myelopathy. Initially, the goat was treated medically. Forty-three days later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an extradural mass compressing the cervical spinal cord. Magnetic resonance attributes of the mass were consistent with a slow-growing, fluid-poor lesion. The spinal cord was surgically decompressed. Epidural empyema secondary towas identified. Postoperative care consisted of anti-inflammatory medication, antimicrobials, and physical therapy. Ability to walk occurred by day 14 after surgery. Despite prolonged recumbency before surgery, the goat was clinically normal, and antimicrobials were discontinued on day 60 after surgery. Key clinical message: Epidural empyema can cause a compressive myelopathy which may result in varying degrees of paresis/paralysis. Clinical resolution and return of normal function occurred following the use of MRI to plan surgical decompression combined with extended use of antimicrobials.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34219765/