1,720,981 research outputs found
Cervical hyperaesthesia in dogs: an epidemiological retrospective study of 185 cases
No full textObjectives: To describe the prevalence, clinical findings and predictors of disease in dogs with cervical hyperaesthesia. Materials and Methods: Medical records of dogs referred for neurological investigation of cervical hyperaesthesia between 2009 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were assigned to one of the following groups according to the final diagnosis: Non-Neurologic, Brain, Cervical Spine, Multifocal, and Chiari-like Malformation/Syringomyelia. Demographic data, clinical and neurological signs and laboratory findings were compared between groups using univariate analysis; predictors of disease location were assessed by multivariate analysis. Results: Final diagnostic allocations of the 185 records included in the study were as follows: 2.7% Non-Neurologic, 2.2% Brain, 63.2% Cervical Spine, 22.2% Multifocal and 9.7% Chiari Malformation/Syringomyelia. Intervertebral disc extrusion and steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis were the most common diseases. Compared to Multifocal dogs, those allocated a Cervical Spine diagnosis were older, heavier, more frequently ataxic and lame on a thoracic limb; furthermore, they were less frequently depressed or hyperthermic at presentation. Leucocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis were more frequent in dogs allocated a Multifocal diagnosis. Dogs with cervical hyperaesthesia older than 36 months and non-hyperthermic at presentation were more likely to have a lesion of the cervical region rather than a multi-focal disease. Clinical Significance: Although non-specific, these results may be useful to guide clinicians in management of dogs presenting with cervical hyperaesthesia. Animal age and body temperature may support the suspicion of either focal or multi-focal cervical spinal disease
Safety of intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate in dogs and cats
No full textThe objective of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the short-term safety of intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside alone or in combination with methotrexate in dogs and cats. One hundred and twelve dogs and eight cats admitted between September 2008 and December 2013, diagnosed with suspected inflammatory (meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology) or neoplastic disease affecting brain or spinal cord and treated with an intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside alone or in combination with methotrexate were included in the study. Recorded information regarding possible adverse events during administration while recovering from anaesthesia and during hospitalization period were evaluated. The results showed that one patient developed generalized tonic-clonic seizure activity after administration of cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate during recovery from anaesthesia, however responded to intravenous administration of diazepam. On the base of our results we can conclude that intrathecal administration of cytosine arabinoside alone or in combination with methotrexate is a safe procedure in dogs and cats
Serum bromide concentrations following loading dose in epileptic dogs
No full textObjective: To determine serum bromide concentrations following an oral loading dose in dogs. Methods: Retrospective review of clinical records of dogs suffering from seizures that were treated with bromide. A loading dose of 600 mg/kg potassium bromide was administered orally in 17 to 48 hours together with a maintenance dose of 30 mg/kg/day. Blood samples were collected within 24 hours after completing the protocol and serum bromide concentrations were determined by ultra-violet gold chloride colorimetric assay. Results: Thirty-eight dogs were included in the study. The median age was 3 (range, 0·2 to 10) years and bodyweight 21·8 (3·45 to 46·2) kg. The median serum bromide concentration was 1·26 (0·74 to 3·6) mg/mL. Thirty-two dogs (84·2%) had serum bromide concentrations within the therapeutic interval (1to 3 mg/mL). The serum concentration in five dogs (13·2%) was just under the minimal therapeutic value and in one dog (2·6%) it exceeded the maximal therapeutic value (3·6 mg/mL). Clinical Relevance: Following this oral loading dose protocol, serum bromide concentrations reach the therapeutic range in the majority of dogs. This indicates that the suggested protocol is effective in achieving therapeutic concentrations rapidly in epileptic dogs. © 2014 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Thiamine deficiency in a cat: Resolution of MRI abnormalities following thiamine supplementation
No full textThiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential component of a number of metabolic pathways and thiamine deficiency results in a progressive encephalopathy in both humans and animals. Confirming thiamine deficiency is problematic and relies on demonstrating reduced red blood cells transketolase activity, or indirect methods including urinary organic acid analysis and dietary analysis. The characteristic and selective vulnerability of different brain regions in carnivores has been demonstrated by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the dog and cat as an aid to diagnosis. A 2-year-old, female, domestic shorthair cat was presented with an acute onset of seizures and ataxia. MR imaging was consistent with thiamine deficiency and supplementation resulted in a progressive clinical improvement. Repeated MR imaging 4 days after starting thiamine supplementation revealed near complete resolution of the MR abnormalities. Repeated MR imaging following appropriate therapy may be useful to further confirm thiamine deficiency. © 2010 ISFM and AAFP
Acute Spinal Cord Injury in the Cat: Causes, Treatment and Prognosis
No full text Practical relevance Acute spinal conditions are a common emergency presentation in general veterinary practice and have the potential to cause devastating spinal cord injury (SCI) and consequent severe neurological deficits. SCI can be divided into two subgroups: exogenous SCI (vertebral fracture and/or luxation/subluxation) and endogenous SCI (intervertebral disc extrusion and ischaemic myelopathy). Clinical challenges The majority of cats with SCI have concurrent injuries. The clinician must perform a thorough physical examination and prioritise and then stabilise the life-threatening problems before focusing on the neurological examination. The possibility of multiple sites of SCI and spinal shock can make interpretation of the neurological examination challenging. While plain radiographs or myelography are usually diagnostic, they do not give direct information about the integrity of the spinal cord parenchyma or the severity of any damage. If facilities or experienced staff capable of performing the necessary surgery are not available, or advanced imaging is indicated, referral to a specialist veterinary institution should be considered. Audience This review is aimed at clinicians dealing with feline SCI in the emergency setting or at first-opinion level, and discusses causes, initial management, specific treatment and prognosis. Patient group While any cat may potentially be affected by SCI, there is a tendency for exogenous SCI to be more common in younger individuals and, in the authors' experience, pure-breed cats are very rarely presented. Endogenous SCI can be seen in any breed and is typically a condition of adult cats. </jats:p
Magnetic resonance findings in a domestic short‐hair cat with presumptive mucopolysaccharidosis
No full textMucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are lysosomal storage diseases of humans and domestic animals generally inherited by an autosomal recessive trait. Affected animals are normal at birth but they then have progressive growth abnormalities and generally exhibit neurologic abnormalities. An 18-month-old female, neutered, domestic, short-hair cat presented for evaluation of progressive pelvic limb ataxia, generalised weakness and spinal hyperaesthesia. The result of a toluidine spot test indicated the presence of glycosaminoglycans in the urine. This result is strongly suggestive of MPS. The magnetic resonance abnormalities found are very similar to the abnormalities described in human medicine. This is the first case report where magnetic resonance findings in a patient with MPS are described in veterinary medicine
Axis dorsal laminotomy in dogs: a retrospective analysis of 10 cases
No full textThe aims of this study were to describe the surgical procedure, and procedure-related postoperative outcomes after dorsal axis laminotomy. Ten client-owned dogs with neurological signs due to pathology within the vertebral canal at the level of the axis were reviewed (2009-2018). Patients underwent dorsal laminotomy using a modification of the originally described technique. The axis dorsal lamina was repositioned and secured using absorbable suture material. Eight dogs had improved neurological function; one dog had static function while one dog was euthanased secondary to proposed persistence of the primary myelopathy. Postoperative radiographs confirmed maintained anatomic reduction and early bone healing in two dogs, one-year postoperative radiographs and one-month and two-year postoperative CT confirmed osteosynthesis in one dog each. Medium/long-term (4-82 months) follow-up was reported in seven dogs. Mortality in this case series was 10 per cent. Delayed union of the laminotomy flap is a complication associated with this technique
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