MRI and CT findings of compressive cervical myelopathy in a dog with suspected immune‐mediated polyarthritis presenting with tetraparesis

An 11-month-old, male, entire Great Dane dog presented with acute-onset non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Three months before presentation, the was treated for a suspected bite injury. Examination revealed pyrexia (39.7°C) and marked multiple joint swelling, cervicalgia Based on clinicopathological findings diagnostic imaging, diagnosis of type II immune-mediated polyarthritis reached. The tetraparesis investigated using magnetic resonance imaging computed tomography, allowing identification compressive cranial cervical myelopathy secondary to severe occipitoatlantoaxial facet distension. patient initially antimicrobial therapy resolution pyrexia. Given persistent swelling tetraparesis, immunosuppressive started. Due refractory disease poor prognosis, euthanasia elected 97 days following presentation. To authors’ knowledge, associated has not been previously reported in veterinary literature.