Diskospondylitis

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, Geographic incidence, Age predisposition, Sex predisposition, Breed predisposition, Cost considerations, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Predisposing factors, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Standard treatment, Monitoring, Subsequent management, Prevention, Control, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Mr Harry Scott BVSc MIBiol CertSAD DSAS(Orth) FRCVS RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Orthopaedics
Mr Paul Cuddon BVSc DipACVIM

Introduction

  • Causes : intervertebral disk infection with extension to the vertebral end plates and vertebrae may be blood borne or localized foreign body.
  • Mainly in adult dogs of larger breeds.
  • Signs : referrable to disks involved, most commonly C6/C7, T5/T6, T13/L1, L7/S1; often systemically ill, unlike degenerative disk disease.
  • Diagnosis : radiography, blood culture.
  • Treatment : antibiotics, rest, analgesia.
  • Prognosis : good with appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Pyrexia.
  • Pain over specific points of spine.
  • Neurological deficits caudal to site of lesion.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Intervertebral disk disease Intervertebral disk: type 2 herniation.
  • Spinal neoplasia.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Excellent: once accurate diagnosis made.
  • Although dependent upon the degree of neurological dysfunction, dogs with severe neurological deficits have a more guarded prognosis for full recovery.
  • Fungal diskospondylitis has a grave prognosis.

Expected response to treatment

  • Gradual resolution of signs and return to 'well-being'.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Failure to diagnose underlying infectious nature of the condition.
  • Failure to maintain antibiosis for long enough.
  • Failure to opt for surgical exploration if no response to medical treatment after a reasonable time (5 days).

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Gonzelo-Orden J M, Altonaga J R, Orden M A & Gonzalo J M (2000) Magnetic resonance, computed tomographic and radiologic findings in a dog with discospondylitis. Vet Rad Ultra 41 (2), 142-144.
  • Davis M J et al(2000) Contrast radiographic findings in canine bacterial diskospondylitis - a multicenter retrospective study of 27 cases. JAAHA 36 , (1) 81-5.
  • Siems J A, Jakovlijevic S, Adams L G, Munjar T A & DeNicola D B (1999) Diskospondylitis in association with an intra-abdominal abscess in a dog. JSAP 40 (3), 123-126.
  • Kraft S L et al(1998) Magnetic resonace imaging of presumptive lumbosacral diskospondylitis in a dog. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 39 (1) 9-13.
  • Jaffe M H (1997) Canine diskospondylitis. Comp Cont Educ 19 (5), 551-555.
  • Seim H B III (1996) Conditions of the thoracolumbar spine. Can Vet J 37 (2), 235-253 (Review).
  • Remedios A M et al(1996) Epidural abscess and diskospondylitis in a dog after administration of a lumbosacral epidural analgesic. Can Vet J 37 (2), 106-107.
  • Butterworth S J et al(1995) Multiple diskospondylitis associated with Aspergillus species infection in a dog. Vet Rec 136 (2), 38-41.
  • Moore M P (1992) Diskospondylitis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 22 (4) 1027-1034 (Review).
  • Keruin S C (1992) Diskospondylitis associated with Brucella canis infection in the dog - 14 cases (1980-1991). JAVMA 201 (8), 1253-1257.
  • Bennett D et al(1981) Diskospondylitis in the dog. JSAP 22 (8) 539-547.
  • van Bree H et al(1981) Successful conservative treatment of cervical diskospondylitis in a dog. JSAP 22 (2) 59-65.
  • Johnston D E (1971) Osteomyelitis of the lumbar vertebrae in dogs caused by grass seed bodies. Aus Vet J 47 , 289-294.

Other sources of information

  • Oliver & Lorenz Handbook of Veterinary Neurologic Diagnosis. Philadelphia: W B Saunders, pp 171.
  • Merck Veterinary Annual. (1998) 8 , pp 923-924.
  • Thomas W B (1997) Diskospondylitis. The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult - Canine and Feline.pp 524-525.
  • Oliver, Lorenz & Kornegay (1997) Handbook of Veterinary Neurology. 3rd edn. pp 155-156.

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