Posterior paresis resulting from a vertebral body fracture in a bull

Authors

  • Derek M. Foster Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606
  • Geoffrey W. Smith Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606
  • Arun R. Pandiri Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606
  • Laurent R. Blond Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol42no1p41-44

Keywords:

bovine, fracture, paresis, myelography, bone fractures, bulls, case reports, clinical aspects, diagnosis, spine

Abstract

A 2.5-year-old, mixed-breed rodeo bull was examined with a four-month history of ataxia and weakness in the pelvic limbs. The neurologic signs were noted while the bull was on pasture breeding cows. Spinal radiographs revealed a compression fracture of the 13th thoracic vertebrae, and myelography showed impingement of the spinal cord due to the fracture. Necropsy examination confirmed the diagnosis of a compression fracture of T13 with secondary damage to the spinal cord. Vertebral fractures are uncommon in adult cattle, yet this case appears to be unrelated to any previously published causes. Furthermore, myelography can be an effective diagnostic test in the evaluation of spinal cord disease in adult cattle.

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Published

2008-02-01

How to Cite

Foster, D. M., Smith, G. W., Pandiri, A. R., & Blond, L. R. (2008). Posterior paresis resulting from a vertebral body fracture in a bull. The Bovine Practitioner, 42(1), 41–44. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol42no1p41-44

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Section

Articles