FIBROCARTILAGINOUS EMBOLIC MYELOPATHY IN A SUMATRAN TIGER (PANTHERA TIGRIS SUMATRAE)

Spinal disease in a captive population of Panthera species: Review of 86 cases (2003-2021)

This retrospective study aimed to characterize and determine the prevalence of spinal disease in nondomestic felids within a sanctuary population. A review of 304 postmortem examination reports in Panthera species from 2003 to 2021 revealed that 86/304 (28%) were diagnosed with spinal disease. Spinal lesions were categorized according to pathologic process: degenerative (78/86, 91%), developmental (8/86, 9%), inflammatory (6/86, 7%), or neoplastic (8/86, 9%). Degenerative lesions included intervertebral disk disease (IVDD; 66/78, 85%), spondylosis without concurrent IVDD (4/78, 5%), and idiopathic (noncompressive) degenerative myelopathies (8/78, 10%). Fourteen individuals had lesions in more than 1 category. Developmental cases were vertebral (4/8) or spinal cord (3/8) malformations or both (1/8). Inflammatory lesions included meningitis (4/6) and meningomyelitis (2/6). Neoplasia included vertebral multiple myeloma (4/8) and others (4/8). IVDD often involved multiple disks but primarily affected the cervical (41/66, 62%) and thoracic spine (32/66, 48%). A multivariate binary logistic model predicted the diagnosis of IVDD at postmortem examination, where odds of being affected were highest for males, lions (Panthera leo), and geriatric age group (>14 years). The spinal lesions documented in this study provide insight into high-risk signalment categories and predominant associated lesions affecting captive Panthera populations. Specifically, spinal disease, especially cervical IVDD, is common among Panthera species, and lions, males, and older felids are at increased risk.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in 50 Captive Non-domestic Felids - Technique and Imaging Diagnoses

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the recognized gold standard for diagnostic imaging of the central nervous system in human and veterinary patients. Information on the use of this modality and possible imaging abnormalities in captive non-domestic felids is currently limited to individual case reports or small case series. This retrospective study provides information on technique and imaging findings in a cohort of cases undergoing MRI at an academic Veterinary Medical Center. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine MRI database was searched for non-domestic felids undergoing MRI of the brain or spine from 2008 to 2021. Medical record data were recorded, and MRI studies were reviewed. Fifty animals met the inclusion criteria. The most common brain diseases were Chiari-like malformation (n = 8) and inflammatory conditions (n = 8). Other abnormalities included pituitary lesions (n = 5), brain atrophy (n = 2), and one each of metabolic and traumatic conditions. Fourteen animals had a normal brain MRI study. The most common spinal abnormality was intervertebral disc disease (n = 7). Other disorders included vertebral dysplasia (n = 2), presumptive ischemic myelopathy (n = 1), subdural ossification causing spinal cord compression (n = 1), and multiple myeloma (n = 1). Spinal cord swelling of undetermined cause was suspected in two animals, and seven patients had a normal MRI study of the spine. MRI is a valuable tool in the diagnostic workup of non-domestic felids with presumptive neurologic disease.

Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Encephalopathy in a Pig

A 1-year-old boar was investigated after presenting with acute onset collapse and obtundance. No significant gross lesions were observed at post-mortem examination. Histopathological investigation revealed a severe bilateral and multifocal necrotizing encephalopathy with an amorphous material, which obstructed neuroparenchymal vessels in the metencephalon and mesencephalon. Alcian blue staining identified the material as of cartilaginous origin and a diagnosis of cerebral fibrocartilaginous embolism was established. No gross evidence of vertebral disc disease was detected and the origin of the embolic material was not found. Although cerebral fibrocartilaginous embolism has been reported in a human, and rarely in animals, it has not been reported previously in the pig.

Antemortem diagnosis and successful management of noncompressive segmental myelopathy in a Siberian-Bengal mixed breed tiger

A 10-yr-old female spayed mixed breed tiger presented for a 9-day history of acute and nonprogressive paralysis of the pelvic limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion suggestive of fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy with regional spinal cord edema, decreased disk signal intensity at L2-L3, and mild intervertebral disk protrusion at L1-L2 and L2-L3. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis showed no overt evidence of infection or neoplasia. Medical therapy was instituted, including corticosteroids and gastroprotectants as well as nursing care and physical therapy. The tiger began showing clinical improvement 2 wk after initiating treatment, progressing to the point where the animal was standing and intermittently walking. Three months after diagnosis, the tiger had regained muscle strength of its hind limbs and walked regularly with improving coordination. This case is the first report of antemortem diagnosis and successful medical management of suspected fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in a large exotic felid.

Acute spinal cord injury in the cat: causes, treatment and prognosis

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

Acute spinal conditions are a common emergency presentation in general veterinary practice and have the potential to cause devastating spinal cord injury (SCI) and consequent severe neurological deficits. SCI can be divided into two subgroups: exogenous SCI (vertebral fracture and/or luxation/subluxation) and endogenous SCI (intervertebral disc extrusion and ischaemic myelopathy).

CLINICAL CHALLENGES

The majority of cats with SCI have concurrent injuries. The clinician must perform a thorough physical examination and prioritise and then stabilise the life-threatening problems before focusing on the neurological examination. The possibility of multiple sites of SCI and spinal shock can make interpretation of the neurological examination challenging. While plain radiographs or myelography are usually diagnostic, they do not give direct information about the integrity of the spinal cord parenchyma or the severity of any damage. If facilities or experienced staff capable of performing the necessary surgery are not available, or advanced imaging is indicated, referral to a specialist veterinary institution should be considered.

AUDIENCE

This review is aimed at clinicians dealing with feline SCI in the emergency setting or at first-opinion level, and discusses causes, initial management, specific treatment and prognosis.

PATIENT GROUP

While any cat may potentially be affected by SCI, there is a tendency for exogenous SCI to be more common in younger individuals and, in the authors' experience, pure-breed cats are very rarely presented. Endogenous SCI can be seen in any breed and is typically a condition of adult cats.

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in small animals

Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) typically results in peracute onset of nonpainful, nonprogressive (after the first 24 hours), and often asymmetric neurologic deficits. Definitive diagnosis can be reached only through histologic examination of the affected spinal cord segments. Although MRI is the preferred diagnostic imaging modality for the antemortem diagnosis of FCEM, it may not show any changes in the first 24 to 72 hours of disease. Severity of neurologic signs at initial examination and extent of the lesions seen on MRI can help predict outcomes in dogs with FCEM.