SCOLIOSIS AND ASSOCIATED CYSTIC SPINAL-CORD LESION IN A DOG

A 7-month-old female Mastiff was admitted for weakness in the hind lim bs and an abnormal gait. There was an obvious scoliosis in the midlumb ar region. Using electromyography, fibrillation potentials and positiv e sharp waves were found in the epaxial musculature of the vertebral c olumn lateral to the spinous processes of T13-L4 on the right (convex) side of the body. On myelographic evaluation, contrast medium irregul arly filled the subdural and epidural space of T11-L3. On surgical exa mination, the dog had a cystic lesion of the spinal cord that correlat ed with myelographic findings. This lesion was incised and drained. Th e scoliotic defect was surgically straightened, and the affected verte brae were fused. Six months after surgery, the vertebral column contin ued to be straight and the paraparesis had resolved.