Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy (FCE)/Fibrocartilaginous Emboli/Fibrocartilaginous Infarct
Fibrocartilaginous embolism is a syndrome caused by acute spinal cord infarction due to embolization of fibrocartilage. Fibrocartilaginous emboli, as a disease entity, tends to occur in non-chondrodystrophic breeds of dogs. The infarction may involve vessels of a spinal intumescence region and result in peripheral nervous system (sometimes referred to as “LMN”) signs.
Age of Onset: Typically 3-6 years of age, however any age of dog can be affected
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs of spinal cord dysfunction occur acutely and progress rapidly. Clinical signs commonly occur during a period of exercise or trauma and are usually not progressive after the first 24-48 hours.
Clinical signs of spinal cord dysfunction occur acutely and progress rapidly. Clinical signs commonly occur during a period of exercise or trauma and are usually not progressive after the first 24-48 hours.
Clinical Signs:
Clinical signs often reflect asymmetric spinal cord dysfunction (signs are typically worse on one side of the body)
Movement
Paresis to paralysis
Ataxia
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Cranial Nerves
Horner Syndrome (miotic pupil, prolapsed third eyelid, enophthalmos, ptosis)
Spinal Reflexes
Areflexia/hyporeflexia to hyperreflexia
Painful Reactions
Dogs often vocalize at onset of signs
No pain on palpation of the vertebral column (30% do exhibit signs of pain)
Pain Sensation
Reduced nociception
Clinical signs often reflect asymmetric spinal cord dysfunction (signs are typically worse on one side of the body)
Movement
Paresis to paralysis
Ataxia
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Cranial Nerves
Horner Syndrome (miotic pupil, prolapsed third eyelid, enophthalmos, ptosis)
Spinal Reflexes
Areflexia/hyporeflexia to hyperreflexia
Painful Reactions
Dogs often vocalize at onset of signs
No pain on palpation of the vertebral column (30% do exhibit signs of pain)
Pain Sensation
Reduced nociception
Spinal - Variable (Asymmetric)
Negative association with FGF4L2 retrogene - chondrodystrophic breeds are less likely to develop fibrocartilaginous emboli
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