A 6-year-old female Schnauzer dog that weighed 7.72 kg was presented with acute thoracic limb ataxia, normal pelvic limb function and no history of trauma. A magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed the absence of extraparenchymal compression and high signal intensity on T2-weighted lesion in the center of the parenchyma of the cervical spinal cord. The MRI along with clinical signs and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were utilized to diagnose presumptive meningomyelitis. Treatment was initiated with prednisolone for immune suppression. Although mild neurological deficits remained in the thoracic limbs, the dog improved in the neurologic assessments and began walking after 45 days of treatment. This report describes the unusual symptoms referred to as central cord syndrome, which has not previously been described in the veterinary literature with a demonstration of MRI features.

Key words: Central cord syndrome, Dog, Meningomyelitis, Spinal cord injury