Page 355 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

149.e2 Caudal Myopathy, Acute

Caudal Myopathy, Acute
VetBooks.ir

overexertion, which causes ischemic injury
BASIC INFORMATION
the recovery process.
to the coccygeal muscles. that anti-inflammatory therapy may quicken
Definition • Pathology based on histology suggests
Flaccid paresis or paralysis of the tail suspected ischemic necrosis related to compartment PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS
to be caused by an ischemic injury to the coc- syndrome.
cygeal muscles • Compartment syndrome is characterized by Comments
pain, swelling, and lack of arterial pulses in In an active hunting dog with acute onset of tail
Synonyms muscle groups that are adjacent to bone and flaccidity, caudal myopathy is the most likely
Limber tail syndrome, swimmer tail, coccygeal enclosed by layers of fascia. cause. Diagnosis can be made based on lack of
muscle injury trauma in the history and physical examination.
Epidemiology DIAGNOSIS Prevention
SPECIES, AGE, SEX Diagnostic Overview Regular training to avoid overexertion in
Dogs, usually young adult, no known sex Clinical examination with history of predis- unconditioned dogs. When traveling long
predisposition posing activities raises suspicion of caudal distances, dogs should be regularly taken out
myopathy. of transport kennels.
GENETICS, BREED PREDISPOSITION
• Labrador retrievers and pointer breeds are Differential Diagnosis Technician Tips
overrepresented. • Trauma to the tail and/or coccygeal vertebrae Avoid the tail area when restraining a dog with
• Other hunting breeds, beagles, and Dalma- • Fibrocartilaginous embolism in coccygeal suspected caudal myopathy as this can cause
tians also often affected segments of the spinal cord significant discomfort.
RISK FACTORS Initial Database Client Education
• Exposure to cold temperatures (e.g., water, • History and tail palpation • Although the tail paralysis appears dramatic,
weather) • Normal neurologic examination of perineal the prognosis is considered good.
• Long transportation time in kennels area • The most important factor in resolution of
• Overexertion in unconditioned dogs clinical signs is rest.
• Increased number of cases around start of Advanced or Confirmatory Testing • The condition is preventable by avoidance
training season in hunting dogs • Mild elevated serum creatine kinase concen- of predisposing factors and regular training
tration in acute phase regimen.
GEOGRAPHY AND SEASONALITY • If there is a history of trauma, radiography
Changes in climate predispose to condition, of coccygeal vertebrae can rule out fracture SUGGESTED READING
as does exposure to cold weather or luxation. Steiss JE: Muscle disorders and rehabilitation in
• Abnormal spontaneous activity on electro- canine athletes. Vet Clin N Am Sm Anim Pract
Clinical Presentation myogram (EMG) of the coccygeal muscles 32:267-285, 2002.
DISEASE FORMS/SUBTYPES • Tail thermography (rarely used)
• Acute phase: tail appears flaccid and hangs ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
straight down TREATMENT READINGS
• Recovery phase: tail may hang to one side Dewey CW, et al: Myopathies: disorders of skeletal
Treatment Overview muscle. In Dewey CW, et al, editors: Practical guide
HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT Initial therapy consists of rest to allow for healing to canine and feline neurology, ed 3, Oxford, UK,
Low tail carriage, inability or reluctance to wag of damaged muscle and pain management. 2016, Wiley Blackwell.
or point with the tail, painful tail
Acute General Treatment AUTHORS: Daniela A. Mauler, DVM, DECVN; Joan R.
PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS Administration of short-term nonsteroidal Coates, DVM, MS, DACVIM
EDITOR: Leah A. Cohn, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
• Tail carriage is affected to various degrees, antiinflammatory drugs during the acute phase
and the flaccid appearance tends to start a (within 24 hours)
short distance distal to tail base.
• Pain is elicited on palpation of the tail, and Chronic Treatment
dogs resent manipulation of the tail. Prevention is aimed at minimizing or avoiding
• The hair is erect on the proximal aspect of the predisposing factors.
the tail.
PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME
Etiology and Pathophysiology
• Prolonged transportation in crates, change Prognosis is good because most dogs recover
in exercise with underconditioning or within days to weeks. Trainers empirically state

www.ExpertConsult.com