Diskospondylitis

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, 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, Standard treatment, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Mr Paul Cuddon Paul Cuddon BVSc DipACVIM
Dr Michael Podell MSc DVM DipACVIM

Introduction

  • Reported in cats but not as common as in the dog.
  • Cause : infection of intervertebral space usually hematogenous.
  • Signs : spinal pain, general malaise.
  • Diagnosis : radiography, blood culture.
  • Treatment : antibiotics.
  • Prognosis : guarded.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Spinal pain.
  • Pyrexia.
  • Neurological deficits:
  • Decreased proprioception.
  • Exaggerated spinal reflexes.
  • Paraparesis.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

Other spinal cord diseases
  • Meningitis/myelitis, eg FIP-related  Feline infectious peritonitis  .
  • Intervertebral disk disease  Intervertebral disk disease  .
  • Spondylitis.
  • Trauma.
  • Neoplasia  Spinal neoplasia  .

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Guarded for animals with neurological deficits.
  • Fair if diagnosis made early and appropriate therapy initiated.

Expected response to treatment

  • Clinical improvement should be seen within 2 weeks of starting treatment.
  • Resolution of fever.
  • If not improving as expected, culture and sensitivity data should be reviewed.
  • Surgical biopsy should be considered.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Watson E & Roberts R E (1993)Diskospondylitis in a cat.Vet Radiol34, 397-398.
  • Moore M P (1992)Diskospondylitis.Vet Clin North Am22, 1027-1034.
  • Malik R, Latler M & Love D N (1990)Bacterial diskospondylitis in a cat.JSAP31, 404-406.

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