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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in a horse.

Journal:
Journal of veterinary medicine. A, Physiology, pathology, clinical medicine
Year:
2004
Authors:
Sebastian, M M & Giles, R C
Affiliation:
University of Kentucky · United States
Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

An 11-year-old male Tennessee Walking Horse was found to have a serious condition called fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy, which affects the spinal cord. This diagnosis came after the horse was euthanized due to severe problems with its nervous system. A detailed examination of the spinal cord showed significant damage in specific areas, along with blockages in blood vessels caused by fibrocartilaginous material. Unfortunately, the treatment options were not applicable since the horse was already euthanized, and the condition was confirmed post-mortem.

Abstract

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy was diagnosed in a 11-year-old, male, Tennessee Walking Horse by histopathological examination of the spinal cord after the horse was killed because of severe neurological dysfunction. Both ventral funiculi of C6 and C7 cervical spinal cord had extensive necrosis with blood vessels containing fibrocartilaginous emboli. A similar fibrocartilaginous embolus was observed in a single large spinal artery adjoining the vertebral leptomeninges.

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Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15533115/