Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Vertebral fracture, extensor hypertonia of thoracic limbs, and paralysis of pelvic limbs (Schiff-Sherrington syndrome) in an Arabian foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1985
- Authors:
- Chiapetta, J R et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An Arabian foal was found lying down and unable to get up for four days. The foal showed signs of stiffness in its front legs and weakness in its back legs. X-rays showed a problem in the spine at the T15 vertebra, which was later confirmed to be a fracture during a postmortem examination. This condition is known as Schiff-Sherrington syndrome, which happens when there is severe spinal injury leading to specific symptoms in the limbs. Unfortunately, the outcome was not positive, as the foal did not survive.
Abstract
An Arabian foal, which was recumbent for 4 days, had signs of extensor rigidity of the thoracic limbs and hypotonic paralysis of the pelvic limbs. Survey radiography revealed a lesion at T15, with radiographic impression of a compression fracture or a hemivertebra. Postmortem examination revealed a fracture at T15. Clinical and pathologic findings in this case were compatible with the Schiff-Sherrington syndrome, which is characterized by thoracic limb extensor hypertonia associated with paraplegia from acute thoracolumbar trauma.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3972699/