Diagnosis is made through clinical signs and symptoms, case history, and blood analysis.
Treatment is the administration of NSAID’s and of antibiotics in cases of bacterial infection. In cases where there is fungal infection flushing of the ear canal by a veterinarian may be required.
Injury Affecting the Plexuses
Thoracic Limb
Common LMN lesions affecting the thoracic limb include suprascapular nerve paralysis, radial nerve paralysis and median/ulnar nerve paralysis. . Causes include external trauma, stretching of the nerve from slipping of the limb or trauma from poorly fitted breast collars. It is seen as neurogenic flaccid paralysis of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. The atrophy of these muscles causes the spine of the scapula to be prominent and easily visible. During locomotion, the shoulder joint of the affected limb appears to pull away from the body during the stance phase of the stride. Paralysis of the suprascapular nerve is commonly called Radial nerve paralysis causes neurogenic, flaccid paralysis of the and the other extensor muscles of the forelimb. Common causes include external blow to the lateral aspect of the limb, prolonged lateral recumbency or secondary to a humeral fracture. Clinically it is seen as dropped elbow, and an inability to weight-bear as the elbow cannot be maintained in extention. The limb is held in constant flexion and if locomotion is attempted the limb collapses when weight is placed on it. Median/ulnar nerve paralysis causes neurogenic atrophy of the forelimb flexor muscles, hyperextension of the digital joints, inability to lift forelimb & toe dragging. Weight bearing will not be affected. Causes include external trauma or secondary to humeral fracture.
Pelvic Limb
Common LMN affecting the pelvic limb include obturator, sciatic nerve paralysis, femoral nerve paralysis, tibial nerve paralysis and peroneal nerve paralysis. the limb as the adductor muscles are affected. The limb slips out laterally when standing or walking. Circumduction of the limb occurs when walking. Trauma to this nerve can occur with fracture to the sacrum or ilium or in mares who suffer from dystocia. Obturator nerve damage is seen as the inability to
The femoral nerve innervates the muscle and the adductor muscles of the thigh. Paralysis of the femoral nerve results in the flaccid paralysis of these muscles and the inability to extend the stifle and weight-bear. Paralysis of the femoral nerve
243
Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software