The term spinal dysraphism defines an incomplete fusion or a bone defect that affects the neural structures of the spinal cord due to a neural tube malformation. A 6-month-old, male, mixed-breed dog, was evaluated for paraparesis, pelvic limb proprioceptive ataxia, faecal and urinary incontinence....

In this review article, a overview is given of the congenital pathologies of vertebrae in the dog. These pathologies are common in dogs and can be divided in two major groups: neural tube defects or spinal dysraphism, such as spina bifida with or without meningocoele and dermal sinus tract, and...

Spinal dysraphism is a congenital defect of the vertebral column and spinal cord secondary to imperfect closure of the caudal neuropore of the developing neural tube. This report describes computed tomographic myelography (Myelo-CT) characteristics of spina bifida occulta, spinal cord...

Congenital malformations of the spine frequently occur in several species, including in men. Myelopathies are rare in animals presenting vertebral malformations due to neural anomalies concomitant with spinal dysraphism. However, the presence of several anomalies may be incompatible with life. The...

A 9 yr old spayed female German shepherd dog was referred for MRI of the thoracic and lumbar spine because she had clinical signs of chronic neurogenic bladder dysfunction of an unknown cause. Transverse T2-weighted images identified a type II split cord malformation (i.e., diastematomyelia) in the ...

Neural tube defects (NTDs) is a general term for central nervous system malformations secondary to a failure of closure or development of the neural tube. The resulting pathologies may involve the brain, spinal cord and/or vertebral column, in addition to associated structures such as soft tissue...

This case report describes clinical, radiographic, and histopathological features of spinal dysraphism associated with hemivertebra and stenosis of the spinal canal in a four-month-old paraparetic Rottweiler. Hemivertebra and stenosis of the spinal canal involving the 9th and 10th thoracic vertebra ...

Two Weimaraner puppies manifested the tetrad of clinical signs typical of spinal dysraphism: hopping gait; crouched stance; hind limb abduction and poor hind paw proprioception. Histopathological examination showed spinal cord anomalies, asymmetry of dorsal grey matter and syringomyelia, consistent ...

A Pekingese dog with hemivertebrae, rib malformations and spinal cord dysraphism without spina bifida was presented. Two types of hemivertebrae were seen: bilateral and unilateral. Thoracic hemivertebrae were associated with fused ribs and rudimentary ribs. Spinal dysraphism consisted of...

A syndrome is described in the Weimeraner dog which is believed to have a genetic aetiology and affecting primarily morphogenesis of the spinal cord. It is characterized clinically by a synchronous hop-ping gait, flexor and scratch response, and a variety of postural abnormalities. Other anomalies...