Spinal epidural abscess in two calves.
OBJECTIVE
To report clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical or necropsy findings, and outcome in 2 calves with spinal epidural abscess (SEA).


METHODS
Clinical report.


METHODS
Calves (n=2).


METHODS
Calves had neurologic examination, analysis and antimicrobial culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vertebral column radiographs, myelography, and in 1 calf, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A definitive diagnosis of SEA was confirmed by necropsy in 1 calf and during surgery and histologic examination of vertebral canal tissue in 1 calf.


RESULTS
Clinical signs were difficulty in rising, ataxia, fever, apparent spinal pain, hypoesthesia, and paresis/plegia which appeared 15 days before admission. Calf 1 had pelvic limb weakness and difficulty standing and calf 2 had severe ataxia involving both thoracic and pelvic limbs. Extradural spinal cord compression was identified by myelography. SEA suspected in calf 1 with discospondylitis was confirmed at necropsy whereas calf 2 had MRI identification of the lesion and was successfully decompressed by laminectomy and SEA excision. Both calves had peripheral neutrophilia and calf 2 had neutrophilic pleocytosis in CSF. Bacteria were not isolated from CSF, from the surgical site or during necropsy. Calf 2 improved neurologically and had a good long-term outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Good outcome in a calf with SEA was obtained after adequate surgical decompression and antibiotic administration.


CONCLUSIONS
SEA should be included in the list of possible causes of fever, apparent spinal pain, and signs of myelopathy in calves.
Zani
Davide D
DD
Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Veterinarie, Ospedale Veterinario Grandi Animali, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy.
Romanò
Laura
L
Scandella
Massimiliano
M
Rondena
Marco
M
Riccaboni
Pietro
P
Morandi
Nicola
N
Lombardo
Rocco
R
Di Giancamillo
Mauro
M
Belloli
Angelo G
AG
Pravettoni
Davide
D
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents