Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in an Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus) with discospondylitis.
An adult male Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus) was presented with an abnormal gait. Neurologic examination showed thoracic kyphosis, paraparesis, decreased proprioception in the pelvic limbs, and normal spinal reflexes. Neurologic symptoms suggested a thoracolumbar spinal cord lesion. Pathologic findings included leukocytosis. Spinal radiographs revealed ventral spondylosis of T4/T5/T6, a poorly defined intervertebral disc space, and mild lysis of the vertebral margins. Multiple metallic foreign bodies were seen in the thoracic wall. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine detected increased signal intensity on fluid sensitive sequences of the vertebral bodies, the intervertebral disc, and surrounding soft tissues. These findings were interpreted as active discospondylitis at T4/T5. Medical therapy included antibiotic and analgesic treatment as well as movement restriction. Follow-up at 4 wk showed significant clinical and radiologic improvement. Discospondylitis should be included in the differential diagnosis in wolves with paresis.
Veterinary Hospital San Michele, Via I Maggio Tavazzano con Villavesco 26838, Lodi, Italy.
Offer
O
Zeira
Veterinary Hospital San Michele, Via I Maggio Tavazzano con Villavesco 26838, Lodi, Italy.
Chiara
C
Briola
Veterinary Hospital San Michele, Via I Maggio Tavazzano con Villavesco 26838, Lodi, Italy.
Martin
M
Konar
Department of Internal Disease with Horses, Dogs and Cats Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366 Wroclaw, Poland.
Marta
M
Plonek
Emergency Veterinary Clinic, Viale Etiopia 16, 00198 Roma, Italy.
Valentina
V
Papa
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019596:Wolves
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002227:Carbazoles; C007005:carprofen