Vertebral fracture and luxation in small animals.
Vertebral fractures and luxations are prominent causes of pain and neurologic dysfunction in dogs and cats. The prognosis is variable, depending on the severity of the damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots, ranging from hopeless in cases with severed spinal cords to excellent for those with minimal injuries. The approach to diagnosis and treatment must include an awareness of the possibility of multiple injuries, and the risks of further injury during diagnostic procedures or during surgical interventions. With judicious interventions cases of vertebral fracture/luxation can be rewarding to treat, because many animals recover good function despite initially severe clinical signs.
Jeffery
Nick D
ND
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, England, UK. knick.jeffery@gmail.com
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013045:Species Specificity; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome