COMPRESSION OF THE SPINAL CORD 261 



(c) Tumors: Rarely do tumors cause compression of the 

 cord. Generally the tumor develops in the neighborhood of 

 the spinal column (sarcoma), proliferates through the inter- 

 vertebral openings or through the substance of the vertebrae 

 enters the canal and invades the cord. In gray horses these 

 tumors are usually melanotic (melanosarcomas). 



(d) Abscesses: Abscesses which develop in the neighbor- 

 hood of the vertebral column may invade the canal, producing 

 compression. As a rule, however, this is not the case, although 

 the pus may enter the canal and infect the meninges. 



(e) Parasites : In cattle and sheep the Coenurus cerebralis; 

 in swine cysticerci, and in cattle echinococci invade the spinal 

 cord. They rarely produce symptoms diuing life and there- 

 fore have only a pathological and sanitary importance. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms in large animals are usually 

 those of rigidity of the spine which may make it difficult for 

 the animal to eat off the ground or to rise from a recumbent 

 posture. The gait is also stiff and labored. As a rule the 

 patient gradually becomes paralyzed behind the seat of the 

 lesion so that paralysis of the tail, rectum and bladder appears. 



Course. — ^The course is chronic. The paralysis, which is 

 gradual in its development, eventually leads to permanent 

 recumbency and death from decubital gangrene (septicemia) . 

 In other cases hjT)ostatic pneumonia or cystitis may be the 

 cause of death. 



Diagnosis. — ^The diagnosis is not easy. The gradual pro- 

 gressive paralysis, anesthesia, stiffness of gait, and atrophy of 

 muscles are noted in other diseases of the spinal cord. Obvi- 

 ously in those cases in which swelling and pain in the neighbor- 

 hood of the vertebral column occur the diagnosis is easier. 



Prognosis. — ^The prognosis is unfavorable. In rare cases a 

 temporary improvement has been noted. However, usually 

 this is followed by an exacerbation. 



Treatment. — ^After waiting until the patient can be observed 

 long enough to determine that there is no hope of recovery it 

 should be dispatched. Obviously in edible animals the 

 destruction of the patient should be undertaken earlier than in 

 horses. 



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