Introduction

• Cause: congenital abnormality in dogs.
• Signs: paraplegia, incontinence, abnormal gait.
• Diagnosis: signs, radiography.
• Treatment: symptomatic.
• Prognosis: poor.

Pathogenesis

Pathophysiology

• The disorder is associated with varying degrees of agenesis/aplasia (absence of formation) or dysgenesis/dysplasia (defective development) of caudal lumbar, sacral and caudal (coccygeal) vertebrae -> spina bifida Spina bifida or abnormalities of terminal spinal cord -> neurological deficits, such as paraparesis and paraplegia.
• May also be associated with other developmental abnormalities:
  • Myelodysplasia Spine: dysraphism.
  • Meningo(myelo)cele.
  • Duplication of spinal cord.
  • Clefting of spinal cord.
  • Hydrosyringomyelia.
  • Subcutaneous cyst formation.
  • Multiple thoracic vertebrae.
  • Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus.
• As a consequence of the meningeal attachment in the meningomyelocele, abnormal tension may be exerted on the spinal cord. This has been termed 'tethered cord syndrome'. It usually occurs at the time of rapid growth. The degree of spinal cord dysfunction in tethered cord syndrome appears to be related to both the force and duration of traction.

Timecourse

• Signs apparent soon after birth.
• May be progressive or static.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes