extensor rigidity and dysphasia in a dog diagnosed with cervical disc disease.
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:28 pm
Dear Laurie,
I have been working with a patient diagnosed with cervical IVDD in July, and though he has improved, some symptoms are persistent; I am wondering if there might be something else going on.
Winston is a 13-year-old MN Chihuahua who was seen in July by veterinary neurologist Dr Young at BVNS due to recent knuckling during walk. Based on Dr Young’s physical exam findings of altered tone, altered reflexes, (both in the thoracic limbs) and altered gait, a cervical spine lesion was suspected. The results of an MRI indicate that Winston has disc disease at C4-5 and C6-7. Decompressive surgery was recommended to manage the multi-level cervical disc disease but the owner chose conservative therapy (pain meds, laser tx, manual therapy, acupuncture, TherX).
Winston has definitely improved since July, but there are several persistent symptoms that I would like to explore, and I would love your input (Thank you!).
Winston does seem more comfortable in general, and his CPs are now normal, but his front legs remain very stiff/extensor rigidity. I can not extend the shoulder, there is limited shoulder flexion, and limited elbow flexion, bilaterally, and the muscles around his neck are still very tight/tense as well. There is atrophy of the supraspinatus muscle bilaterally, but the infraspinatus muscle seems hypertrophied and is quite tense, and over the pelvis, the deep gluteal muscle also seems hypertrophied and tense. I feel there is quite a bit of stiffness/decreased mobility along Winston's thoracic and lumbar spine as well.
Videos of Winston walking: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cQsEcpx81rZQn5aH9
My other concern is that Winston continues to have difficulty swallowing; we noticed this when Winston was first diagnosed with cervical disc disease. I emailed you a video of Winston swallowing, along with videos of Winston walking, in case you can't open the link above.
Winston also has muscle atrophy over his skull, particularly of the temporalis muscle, and I noticed atrophy of the masseter muscle as well. He avoids rostral glides of the TMJ, and I have noticed that C1 is rotated.
Thank you so much, Laurie!
Sincerely,
Juli
I have been working with a patient diagnosed with cervical IVDD in July, and though he has improved, some symptoms are persistent; I am wondering if there might be something else going on.
Winston is a 13-year-old MN Chihuahua who was seen in July by veterinary neurologist Dr Young at BVNS due to recent knuckling during walk. Based on Dr Young’s physical exam findings of altered tone, altered reflexes, (both in the thoracic limbs) and altered gait, a cervical spine lesion was suspected. The results of an MRI indicate that Winston has disc disease at C4-5 and C6-7. Decompressive surgery was recommended to manage the multi-level cervical disc disease but the owner chose conservative therapy (pain meds, laser tx, manual therapy, acupuncture, TherX).
Winston has definitely improved since July, but there are several persistent symptoms that I would like to explore, and I would love your input (Thank you!).
Winston does seem more comfortable in general, and his CPs are now normal, but his front legs remain very stiff/extensor rigidity. I can not extend the shoulder, there is limited shoulder flexion, and limited elbow flexion, bilaterally, and the muscles around his neck are still very tight/tense as well. There is atrophy of the supraspinatus muscle bilaterally, but the infraspinatus muscle seems hypertrophied and is quite tense, and over the pelvis, the deep gluteal muscle also seems hypertrophied and tense. I feel there is quite a bit of stiffness/decreased mobility along Winston's thoracic and lumbar spine as well.
Videos of Winston walking: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cQsEcpx81rZQn5aH9
My other concern is that Winston continues to have difficulty swallowing; we noticed this when Winston was first diagnosed with cervical disc disease. I emailed you a video of Winston swallowing, along with videos of Winston walking, in case you can't open the link above.
Winston also has muscle atrophy over his skull, particularly of the temporalis muscle, and I noticed atrophy of the masseter muscle as well. He avoids rostral glides of the TMJ, and I have noticed that C1 is rotated.
Thank you so much, Laurie!
Sincerely,
Juli