[Traumatic subluxation of the cervical spine in an 1-year-old alpaca mare].

Abstract

A 1-year-old alpaca mare was presented due to lateral deviation of the cervical spine which had been present for a period of 2 weeks. Based on the previous report, a traumatic event was assumed. Feed and water intake were unremarkable, the gait was altered due to slight ataxic movements in all 4 limbs. The animal showed no further neurological deficits on initial presentation. Radiographs revealed a displacement of the cervical vertebrae to the left as part of a subluxation of the articular processes of the cervical vertebrae C4 and C5. During the course of conservative treatment with pain medication, neurologic signs including ataxia and I: mpaired balance developed in spite of unremarkable food intake. Subsequently, the animal died at a time when it was not under observation.Pathologic examination revealed degenerative and inflammatory alterations as well as hemorrhages in the cervical medulla at the level of the axial deviation of the cervical spine. Under consideration of the patient's history, the findings may most likely be seen as the result of blunt trauma and represent the cause of the neurologic signs.This is the first case description of a subluxation of the cervical vertebral column in an alpaca in Germany that has been evaluated in detail.