title: Sublumbar abscess and diskospondylitis in a cat.
abstract: Diskospondylitis is uncommon in cats. We describe a cat with diskospondylitis of the L7-S1 intervertebral disk, and a concurrent sublumbar abscess. Radiographic, computed tomographic and ultrasonographic findings are presented. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures of blood and spinal fluid yielded no growth. Aerobic and anaerobic urine cultures resulted in growth of an Enterococcus sp. and Clostridium perfringens, respectively. The cat was successfully treated with enrofloxacin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Clinical signs resolved completely, and based on follow-up ultrasonography there was no remaining evidence of the sublumbar abscess. Etiologic agents and outcome from other cats with diskospondylitis are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Missouri-Columbia, MO 65211, USA. PackerR@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Packer
authors.forename: Joan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: Cristi R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Jimmy C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lattimer
authors.forename: Dennis P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents