Presumed canine trigemino-abducens synkinesis in a dog.

A ten-year-old male neutered Rhodesian ridgeback cross dog was presented for the investigation of abnormal bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid when chewing. Physical, ophthalmological, and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance of the brain and orbits failed to reveal any abnormalities. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein, but the nucleated cell count was normal. trigemino-abducens synkinesis was presumptively diagnosed. Aetiopathogenesis of this condition is discussed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of presumed trigemino-abducens synkinesis in a dog.

Serum C-reactive protein in dogs with paraplegia secondary to acute intervertebral disc extrusion.

BACKGROUND: Apart from the absence of nociception, there is no readily available prognostic test for dogs presenting with paraplegia secondary to acute intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE). OBJECTIVE: To assess if serum C-reactive protein (CRP) can predict the postoperative outcome in paraplegic dogs undergoing surgery for IVDE and to assess the association between serum CRP and presence/absence of nociception on admission, and serum CRP and presence/absence of intramedullary changes seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ANIMALS: One hundred dogs that underwent surgery at our hospital between 2018 and 2020 because of acute paraplegia secondary to IVDE and in which serum CRP was measured. METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study. Dogs were classified as 4 or 5 according to the modified Frankel score (MFS) depending on presence/absence of nociception, respectively. MRI images were reviewed and the T2-weighted hyperintensity: L2 vertebral body length was measured. Postoperative outcome was defined as positive if nociception, ambulation or both returned after decompressive surgery. RESULTS: The median (95% CI) serum CRP was 4 (4-5) and 6 (4-7) mg/L in MSF4 and MSF5, respectively (P = .03). A weak linear relationship (R2  = 0.049, P = .03) was found between CRP and the T2-weighted hyperintensity: L2 vertebral length. Outcome data was available for 85 dogs: CRP was 4 (4-5) and 5 (4-10) mg/L in positive and negative outcome dogs, respectively (P = .32). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum CRP did not predict outcome after surgery in dogs with paraplegia secondary to IVDE.

Ehrlichia canis infection in the cerebrospinal fluid of a dog characterized by morulae within monocytes and neutrophils.

An 8-year-old neutered female English Pointer was referred to a veterinary referral center (southwest of England) with a 4-5-month history of fecal incontinence and no evidence of urinary incontinence. Blood and free-catch urine samples were collected and sent to an off-site laboratory. Further investigations were postponed until laboratory results were available. Blood results showed a mild leukopenia, mild nonregenerative anemia, moderate to marked thrombocytopenia, and a mild increase in ALT and ALP activities. The primary veterinarian and client did not proceed with any further investigations for thrombocytopenia. Three weeks after the initial presentation, there was considerable clinical deterioration and progression of neurologic signs. Thoracic radiographs and an abdominal ultrasonographic examination were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord revealed an intramedullary lesion at the level of the C7 vertebra, a cystic lesion in the forebrain, and a bilateral lesion in the thalamus. A lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected. CSF analysis showed a robustly increased protein concentration and marked pleocytosis. The cytologic evaluation revealed a mixed cellular population. Occasional neutrophils and monocytoid cells showed purple spherical intracellular inclusions, resembling Ehrlichia morulae. An aliquot of CSF was used off-label with a dot ELISA test, which showed a strong positive result for antibodies against Ehrlichia canis/Ehrlichia ewingii. PCR identified these morulae to be E canis. To best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of ehrlichial infection in canine CSF where Ehrlichia sub-species morulae present within neutrophils were confirmed to be Ehrlichia canis using PCR.

The role of extruded disk material in thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease: a retrospective study in 40 dogs.

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the dispersed or nondispersed form of the extruded disk material (EDM) on the neurological status and surgical outcomes in Hansen thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease Type I (IVDD-I). Medical records of 40 dogs with IVDD-I were reviewed, including neurologic status on admission, findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intraoperative findings, and surgical outcomes. In MRI evaluations, EDM was on the right in 16, on the left in 18, and centrally in 6 cases; in all cases, findings were confirmed by surgery. Extruded disk material was localized and classified as dispersed disk (DD) or nondispersed disk (NDD) according to its dispersion in the epidural space on MRI. Twenty-five dogs had DD and 15 had NDD on both MRI and surgery. There was no significant difference between DD and NDD in preoperative neurological status and surgical outcomes (P > 0.05).

Nasca classification of hemivertebra in five dogs.

: Five dogs, four small mixed breed and a Doberman Pinscher, presented in our clinic with hemivertebra. Complete physical, radiological and neurological examinations were done and the spinal deformities were characterized in accord with the Nasca classification used in human medicine. Two dogs had multiple hemivertebrae (round, oval or wedge-shaped: Type 3) in the thoracic region; one dog had an individual surplus half vertebral body (Type 1) plus a wedge-shaped hemivertebra (Type 2b) in the lumbar region; one dog had multiple hemivertebrae which were fused on one side (Type 4a) in the thoracic region; and one dog had a wedge-shaped hemivertebra (Type 2a) in the cervical region.

Feline ischemic myelopathy and encephalopathy secondary to hyaline arteriopathy in five cats.

Five cats presented with acute-onset neurological signs. Magnetic resonance imaging in four cats showed a T2-weighted hyperintense spinal cord lesion that was mildly contrast-enhancing in three cats. Owing to inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid changes three cats were treated with immunosuppression. One cat was treated with antibiotics. All cats improved initially, but were eventually euthanased owing to the recurrence of neurological signs. Histopathology in all cats showed hyaline degeneration of the ventral spinal artery, basilar artery or associated branches with aneurysmal dilation, thrombosis and ischemic degeneration and necrosis of the spinal cord and brain. Two cats also had similar vascular changes in meningeal vessels. Vascular hyaline degeneration resulting in vascular aneurysmal dilation and thrombosis should be a differential diagnosis in cats presenting with acute central nervous system signs.

Acute spinal cord injury in the cat: causes, treatment and prognosis.

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.