University of Pretoria. Faculty of Veterinary Science. Dept. of Companion Animal Clinical Studies2010-11-052010-11-0520072010-11-05http://hdl.handle.net/2263/15189Metadata assigned by Dr. M. van Schoor, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Companion Animal Clinical StudiesNeck pain can be defined as a sensation of discomfort or distress of the cervical spine or surrounding tissues. Signs of neck pain include reluctance to rise, walk, jump and crying out when changing positions. Abnormal head posture, holding the head down and a reluctance to turn the head may also be seen. The neck and back may be arched and there may be swelling of the cervical tissues. Causes of neck pain include traumatic muscle injury, exertional rhabdomyolysis, myositis due to penetrating injuries, inflammatory myositis, intervertebral disc disease, discospondylitis, malformation of the spine and neoplasia such as osteosarcomas involving the vertebrae. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and focuses on relieving pain, immobilization and treatment of the underlying disease process. Acute severe neck pain may be treated with cage rest and analgesics. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, exercise restriction, acupuncture and surgery are treatment options for chronic neck pain.REFERENCE: Côte, E (ed) 2007, ‘Clinical veterinary advisor : dogs and cats’, Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis, pp. 741-742.1 colour photoJPEG© Dr Mirinda van Schoor, University of Pretoria. Dept. of Companion Animal Clinical Studies (Original and digital). Provided for educational purposes only. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the original copyright holder. Any attempt to circumvent the access controls placed on this file is a violation of copyright laws and is subject to criminal prosecution. Please contact the collection administrator for copyright issues.Veterinary intensive careDiscomfortDistressAbnormal head postureArched backVeterinary critical careVeterinary medicine -- South AfricaVeterinary emergenciesStill Image