Introduction

• Very rare. Diagnosed occasionally.
• Neurological signs referable to the lumbosacral spine.
• Signs: pelvic limb paraparesis, decreased muscle tone; (later) atrophy, absent patellar reflexes, proprioceptive deficits, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, tail paresis/paralysis.
• Treatment: high quality nursing.
• Prognosis: guarded to poor.
  Print off the owner factsheet on Cauda equina diseases (back problems) Cauda equina diseases (back problems) to give to your client.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Possibly auto-immune.
• However, granulomatous lesions associated with reticulosis/granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis, aspergillosis Aspergillosis: disseminated and toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis /neosporosis have been observed occasionally.

Predisposing factors

General

• Possibly impaired immune function.

Specific

• Presently unknown.

Pathophysiology

• The pathogenesis of this condition is still unclear. There is some suggestion it is an immune-mediated disorder, which is supported by the mononuclear cell infiltration in nerve roots without the presence of organisms.

• Inflammatory lesions involve the lumbosacral nerve roots comprising the cauda equina, which includes seventh lumbar (L7), sacral and caudal nerve roots.
• Clinical signs of a cauda equina syndrome may vary depending on which nerves are involved and at what location/level. Thus signs will reflect varying degrees of abnormality in pelvic limbs, bladder, anal sphincter, and tail.

Timecourse

• Typically 2-4 weeks.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes