Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Spinal arachnoid pseudocysts causing limb ataxia in rottweilers
By Jurina, K & Grevel, V·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2004·Department of Small Animal Medicine, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Spinal arachnoid pseudocysts in 10 rottweilers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Ten Rottweilers were brought in for problems with coordination and movement due to spinal arachnoid pseudocysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that can press on the spinal cord. The dogs showed signs like difficulty walking and poor balance, especially if the cysts were located in the neck area. After imaging tests, some dogs had surgery to remove the cysts, with five undergoing a procedure to create an opening for drainage. Most of the dogs improved after treatment, regaining better movement and stability.
People also search for: Rottweiler spinal problems · dog ataxia treatment · spinal cyst surgery for dogs
Abstract
Ten rottweilers presenting with spinal arachnoid pseudocysts were investigated. In six dogs, the lesions were localised dorsally at C2-C3; in three dogs, dorsally and ventrally at C5-C6; and, in one dog, dorsally and ventrally at C6-C7. Clinical signs were consistent with focal compression of the affected spinal cord segments. The animals showed ataxia of all four limbs, with truncal ataxia and marked hypermetria in cases of C2-C3 involvement, or ambulatory tetraparesis in cases of C5-C6 or C6-C7 involvement. Other than signs indicative of spina bifida in one dog, no abnormalities could be detected on plain radiographs. Myelography was used to define the localisation and extent of the pseudocysts. Additional information was obtained using magnetic resonance imaging in five dogs. Five dogs underwent a dorsal laminectomy; in three cases, the pseudocyst was treated by marsupialisation and, in two, by durectomy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14756203/