Atlantoaxial instability in a white-tailed deer fawn (Odocoileus virginianus).
On 14 March 2001, an 8 mo old, male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was found in lateral recumbency exhibiting neurologic signs including inability to rise, opisthotonus, paddling, and respiratory distress. There was evidence of minor cranial trauma. Postmortem examination revealed atlantoaxial instability with ventral deviation of the axis due to malformation of the caudal atlas and cranial axis. Given the age of the fawn, the instability was assumed to be congenital with minor trauma inducing severe, acute neurologic signs.
Palmer
Mitchell V
MV
Bacterial Diseases of Livestock Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 2300 Dayton Road, Ames, Iowa 50010, USA. mpalmer@nadc.ars.usda.gov
D000818:Animals; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000293:injuries*; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D003670:Deer / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000293:injuries; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary