Page 71 - Canine Lameness

Two to three
limbs affected
One thoracic limb and one or
Thoracic limbs abnormal/ Thoracic limbs normal/ both pelvic limbs affected
pelvic limbs normal pelvic limbs abnormal
Pelvic limbs?
Thoracic limbs? Pelvic limbs?
UMN signs LMN signs
(one or both (one or both
UMN signs LMN signs UMN signs LMN signs pelvic limbs) pelvic limbs)
Lateralized Multifocal spinal
Rare – recheck PNS (brachial (1) L4-S3 or C6-T2 cord disease
neurologic T3-L3
examination plexus) (2) PNS
Limbs
affected Brain
Single limb affected Abnormal Yes
All four limbs affected mentation,
cerebellar, or
vestibular ataxia?
No
Thoracic limb Pelvic limb
Pelvic limbs: Pelvic limbs:
UMN signs LMN signs
LMN signs? LMN signs?
Thoracic limbs? Thoracic limbs?
No LMN signs LMN signs No LMN signs LMN signs Monoparesis
UMN signs LMN signs UMN signs LMN signs
(1) Orthopedic (1) Orthopedic (1) Generalized
disease or (1) C6-T2 or disease or (1) L4-S3 or PNS or
(2) PNS or (2) PNS (2) PNS or (2) PNS (1) Brainstem or C6-T2 (1) Multifocal or
(3) lateralized (3) lateralized (2) C1-5 (2) diffuse disease (2) multifocal
spinal cord
C6-T2 L4-S3
disease
Figure 4.1 Diagnostic pathway for neuroanatomic localization of spinal cord lesions based on motor function in the affected limb(s). Lesions causing upper
motor neuron (UMN) paresis generally affect multiple limbs, whereas those causing lower motor neuron (LMN) paresis can involve only a single limb and, hence,
are commonly confused with lameness. PNS, peripheral nervous system; C, cervical, T, thoracic; L, lumbar; S, sacral; and Cd, caudal.