Spinal compression due to atlantal vertebral malformation in two African lions (Panthera leo).

摘要: Two young (14-mo-old and 6-mo-old), unrelated, male African lions (Panthera leo) were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals of Oklahoma State University Kansas with progressive ambulatory difficulty. In both cases, limited neurologic evaluation demonstrated pelvic limb paresis ataxia conscious proprioceptive deficits. Spinal imaging showed nearly identical lesions in cases. Radiography myelography cervical stenosis secondary atlantal (C1) malformation producing a dorsoventral deformity laminar arch atlantoaxial spinal cord compression between ventrally displaced atlas underlying odontoid process C2. Computed tomography atlanto-axial junction confirmed compression, showing flattening C1 dens Decompressive surgery consisting dorsal laminectomy was performed. Each lion improvement status recovery normal ambulation after surgical intervention. Neurologic disease large captive felids is rare; spondylomyelopathy has not been reported previously.