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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28(01): 73-78
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-14-08-0116
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Congenital cervical kyphosis in two young sighthounds

F. Forterre
1   Division of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
D. Casoni
2   Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
A. Tomek
3   Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
P. Karli
3   Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
J. Howard
4   Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
C. Precht
5   Division of Radiology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:04 August 2014

Accepted:03 November 2014

Publication Date:
26 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Introduction: Cervical vertebral (C) malformation is rarely reported in large breed dogs. Congenital cervical kyphosis (CCK) may result from defects of vertebral segmentation, failure of formation or both. This report describes two cases of C3-C4 CCK in young sighthounds, treated surgically.

Case description: An 18-month-old female Deerhound and a six-week-old female Borzoi dog were presented because of the complaints of reluctance to exercise and signs of of neck pain. Both dogs were neurologically normal. Diagnostic imaging revealed C3-C4 deformity, moderate kyphosis, and spinal canal stenosis associated with chronic spinal cord pressure atrophy. Both dogs underwent surgical treatment.

Results: A staged two-step surgery starting with dorsal decompression was elected in the Deerhound. After the first surgical procedure, the dog developed focal myelomalacia and phrenic nerve paralysis and was euthanatized. A ventral distraction-fusion technique with two locking plates was performed in the Borzoi. This patient recovered uneventfully and long-term follow-up computed tomography revealed complete spondylodesis.

Clinical significance: Until now, CCK has only been described in sighthounds. Congenital cervical kyphosis might be considered a differential diagnosis in these breeds that are presented with signs of cervical pain. Ventral realignment-fusion and bone grafting may be considered for surgical treatment, although the earliest age at which this procedure can and should be performed remains unclear.

Keywords

Congenital deformity - dog - kyphosis - sight-hound - spinal malformation
 

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