Case Study

CT – Chronic fractured spinous process of T3 and T9 in a 1 year old male rabbit

Balance issues for the past four months, worsening. Negative E. cunniculi testing.

Image Interpretation

Ct of the brain and spine. Structurally normal brain and middle ear. T3 and T9 presents a horizontal, ill-defined discontinuity with mild bridging periosteal new bone formation.

DX

Chronic traumatic non-displaced fracture of the spinous processes of T3 and T9

Outcome

The chronic fractures of the spinous processes of T3 and T9 may explain acute onset of back pain and ataxia but are unlikely to explain the chronicity of clinical signs as it would be expected that clinical signs would subside within couple of days after a traumatic insult.
Toxoplasmosis may be a possible differential to encephalitozoonosis and blood work may be complemented for testing of underlying Toxoplasmosis infection. Nevertheless, a clinical trial with Fenbendazole over 28 days may be beneficial.