Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Vergleichende Studie zur

Publikation 3
rates, as well as body temperature, were within physiological limits. Cardiac and
pulmonary auscultation identified no abnormalities. While consciousness,
examination of the cranial nerves, forelimb postural reactions and forelimb spinal
reflexes appeared normal, a severe paraparesis with a hyperextensive posture of
both stifle joints and a hyperflexion of the hip joints was noted. The tone of the
quadriceps muscles was normal, whereas the tone of the remaining hind limb
muscles was severely reduced. Both hind legs were warm and femoral pulse was
palpable. Neurological examination 2 of the pelvic limbs revealed bilateral reduced
patellar and absent tibialis cranialis and withdrawal reflexes. On exterting pressure
onto the medial areas of the pelvic limb with hemostats, superficial and deep pain
perception was present. However, application of the same noxious stimuli to the
caudal and lateral areas of the distal extremities caused no pain reaction. The
perineal reflex was also absent, the tail was atonic and analgesic, and the bladder
was distended and had to be expressed manually. Haematology and blood
biochemistry results, including serum creatine kinase activity, were considered as
unremarkable in the calf.
Neuroanatomically, the absence of superficial and deep pain sensation in the
area innervated by the sciatic and the pudendal nerves, alongside normal reflexes in
the area innervated by the saphenous nerves suggested a lower motor neuron (LMN)
spinal cord lesion localized between L6 and sacral spinal cord segments. The
decreased patellar reflex was considered to be a result of the hyperextension of the
limbs and, together with pain on the medial side of the leg, indicated that the
segments L4, L5 and the femoral and saphenous nerves were intact. Destruction of
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