Brain tumors occur relatively commonly in dogs and cats. The most common type of brain tumor is called a meningioma, which originates from the layer surrounding the brain called the meninges. Meningiomas are slow growing tumors that are often present for months to years before clinical signs appear.
Atlanto-axial instability is a congenital condition caused by abnormal articulation between the first cervical (aka the atlas) and the second cervical (aka the axis) vertebrae. The most common cause of the instability is malformation of a portion of the axis called the dens, which sits in a groove at the base of the axis.
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is caused by compression of the nerve roots
passing from the lower back toward the tail at the level of the
lumbosacral junction. The most common cause of cauda equina syndrome is
narrowing of the vertebral canal at the level of the lumbosacral joint
(called lumbosacral stenosis).
Lumbosacral stenosis is most commonly caused by degenerative changes to
the intervertebral disc, arthritis of the joints, and abnormal
proliferation of the ligaments. Dogs with abnormal shape to their last
lumbar or sacral vertebrae and German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to
developing lumbosacral stenosis. Neoplasia (cancer) and infection at
the level of the lumbosacral disc (discospondylitis) may also cause
signs of cauda equina syndrome.
DM is a chronic spinal cord condition characterized by progressive deterioration of the spinal cord. DM occurs most commonly in German Shepherds, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Boxers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, but it has been reported in several other breeds of dog.
Discospondylitis is defined as an infection of the spinal vertebrae and intervertebral discs. It is a form of osteomyelitis, or bone infection, but differs from a general osteomyelitis in that it involves the intervertebral disc, adjacent vertebral bony endplates, and vertebral bodies.
Epilepsy is defined as recurrent seizure activity. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical firing in the brain.
An FCE is caused by a small piece of cartilage that enters the spinal cord’s vascular system and blocks blood flow to the spinal cord (also called spinal cord infarction, aka stroke). FCE classically occurs in very active, young to middle-aged, medium to large breed dogs who are out playing/exercising. They will typically yelp out and become suddenly unable to walk. FCE can occur in small dog breeds as well, most notably the Miniature Schnauzer.
Inflammatory brain disease, also known as meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology, or “meningitis” is an autoimmune disease. Immune attack on the brain tissue (aka “encephalitis”) and the layer surrounding the brain called the meninges (aka “meningitis”) causes brain damage and abnormal neurologic signs.
The intervertebral disc is made of cartilage surrounded by a ring of fibrous tissue that acts as a cushion between the individual vertebrae that surround the spinal cord. There are intervertebral discs between all but the first two vertebrae. Intervertebral discs help provide flexibility of the spine and, in bipeds (species which walk on 2 legs), they help buffer the load to the spine during running or jumping. The disc is made up of 2 parts, an outer fibrous annulus fibrosus and a gelatinous center called the nucleus pulposus.
“Wobbler’s” syndrome is the common term to describe a gait seen in dogs with spinal cord compression in the neck, where they often take short or “floating” steps with the front limbs and have a swaying or “wobbly” gait in the hind limbs.
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