The atlantoaxial joint is different from the other connections between the vertebrae. The odontoid process (bud process) under the spinous process of the axis forms a joint with the body vertebrae, which is prone to a variety of diseases, which is the result of the damage of the odontoid process.
The Angle between the spinous process of the axis and the cervical spine was increased on the lateral plain X-ray film (in normal condition, it was almost parallel).
Causes of Atlantoaxial Subluxation Dog
(1) Congenital dysplasia (small or even no odontoid process) : Chihuahuas and Pomeranian were more common;(2) Trauma: odontoid fracture;
(3) trauma on the basis of stunting.
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Dog Symptoms
(1) The age of onset was not fixed;(2) acute onset, sudden tilt of neck, standing instability;
(3) The symptoms of some cases were gradually aggravated, sometimes mild and sometimes severe;
(4) neck pain;
(5) Mild abnormal gait and ataxia, severe quadriplegia;
(6) The most severe cases died of respiratory muscle paralysis.
Diagnostic criteria For Atlantoaxial Subluxation Dog
(1) X-ray plain film: lateral view -- dislocation degree, anteroposterior view -- to see whether the odontoid process was hypoplastic or fractured;(2) If the dog is suspected to have atlantoaxial subluxation, please prohibit artificial forced movement of the dog's neck to avoid aggravating the injury.
Differential diagnosis: cervical external bone injury (including spinous process, facet joint, transverse process lesions), cervical disc disease, etc.
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Dog Treatment
(1) Keep the dog in a cage with a neck brace and limit the activity of the dog. The mild disease can recover within 5-6 weeks.(2) Spinal cord compression should be treated surgically -- internal fixation reduction from the dorsal or ventral side of the axis.