Syringo-Hydromyelia in six calves

The clinical, diagnostic and anatomo-pathologic aspects of syringo-hydromyelic syndrome are described in six calves. The animals were submitted because of inability to rise since birth. At physical examination the calves appeared bright, alert, and in good condition; they were recumbent and despite repeated attempts to stand up, were unable to. When forced to move, they showed a characteristic posterior “bunny-hopping”. Radiographically one calf presented emivertebrae. The myelography was performed. In five calves a swelling was observed in lumbar spinal cord. At post mortem examination the main lesions were confined to the lumbar spinal cord whit cystic cavities. The histological diagnosis were: syringo-hydromyelia in four calves; syringomyelia in one calf; syringomyelia and hydromyelia, contemporaneally, in one calf.