Morphology and embryological interpretation of a congenital occipito-atlanto-axial malformation in a dog

A clinical, radiological, and morphological study of a congenital occipito‐atlanto‐axial malformation in a 13‐week‐old male Saint Bernard dog that became suddenly tetraplegic at 8 weeks is described. The dog was recumbent, had generalized muscle atrophy, but was alert and responsive. Pain was elicited when the head‐neck junction and the cervical vertebrae were palpated, and a bony abnormality was palpated at the occiput and atlas. Clinical signs of upper motor neuron and general proprioceptive deficits in all four limbs were compatible with a focal lesion in the cervical spinal cord. Plain radiographs of the head and neck revealed malformation of the occipital bones, atlas, and axis, unilateral atlanto‐occipital fusion, and atlanto‐axial sub‐luxation. At necropsy the right half of the atlantal neural arch was fused to the right exoccipital bone. On the axis, the dens was small, malformed, and deviated to the left; the transverse processes were enlarged; and the spinous process was small with a cleft caudally. The spinal cord was severely compressed at the level of the atlanto‐axial articulation, and histological examination revealed extensive loss of neuronal cell bodies, axons, myelin, and the central canal. Reactive astrogliosis was also extensive. After a discussion of normal and abnormal development of the vertebral column and its joints, it was concluded that a failure of normal joint development at about 30 days of gestation in the dog could lead to congenital occipito‐atlanto‐axial malformation.