Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Vergleichende Studie zur

Publikation 3
the L6, S1 and S2 segments prevented stimulation of alpha-motoneurons of the
sciatic nerves. Therefore, no active flexion of the stifle, tarsus or digits occurred.
Bladder paralysis occurred as a result of the lesion of the sacral segments. At this
point the tentative diagnosis was an acute vascular accident (thromboembolism or
fibrocartilagenous- or air-embolism) involving the spinal cord, causing ischemic
myelopathy and consequentially paraplegia. Treatment with heparin d (100 IU / kg IV),
enrofloxacin e (2.5 mg / kg IV) and carprofen f (1.4 mg / kg SC) was instituted.
Additionally, a singular epidural injection of 8 mg dexamethasone g combined with
1.200.000 IE benzylpenicillin h dissolved in 20 ml sterile isotonic saline was applied.
The following day, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) i , Magnetom Impact
Plus, 1.0 Tesla, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) was carried out. The calf was
premedicated with 0.1 mg/kg 2% xylazine j i/m and 2.0 mg/kg ketamine k i/v.
Anaesthesia was maintained with inhalant isoflurane l and oxygen after intubation.
MRI examination was performed about 48 hours after the onset of clinical signs with
the calf in dorsal recumbency. T2-weighted images in sagittal (TR: 4700 ms, TE 112
ms, slice thickness 3 mm) and transverse planes (TR: 3458 ms, TE 96 ms, slice
thickness 3 mm) from the lumbar vertebral column to the sacrum revealed an
intramedullary hyperintense signal abnormality beginning at vertebral body L4. This
lesion occurred mainly in the grey matter with a right lateralization. The spinal cord
segments caudally to vertebral body L5 showed a severe hyperintensity of both the
grey and white matter. Additional signal changes (T2 weighted, hyperintense) were
identified at the area of the right sided paralumbar muscles adjacent to the fifth and
sixth lumbar vertebrae.
59