Clinical Course and Diagnostic Findings of Biopsy Controlled Presumed Immune-Mediated Polyneuropathy in 70 European Cats.

There is a paucity of information on the clinical course and outcome of young cats with polyneuropathy. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical features, diagnostic investigations, and outcome of a large cohort of cats with inflammatory polyneuropathy from several European countries. Seventy cats with inflammatory infiltrates in intramuscular nerves and/or peripheral nerve biopsies were retrospectively included. Information from medical records and follow up were acquired via questionnaires filled by veterinary neurologists who had submitted muscle and nerve biopsies (2011-2019). Median age at onset was 10 months (range: 4-120 months). The most common breed was British short hair (25.7%), followed by Domestic short hair (24.3%), Bengal cat (11.4%), Maine Coon (8.6%) and Persian cat (5.7%), and 14 other breeds. Male cats were predominantly affected (64.3%). Clinical signs were weakness (98.6%) and tetraparesis (75.7%) in association with decreased withdrawal reflexes (83.6%) and, less commonly, cranial nerve signs (17.1%), spinal pain/hyperesthesia (12.9%), and micturition/defecation problems (14.3%). Onset was sudden (30.1%) or insidious (69.1%), and an initial progressive phase was reported in 74.3%. Characteristic findings on electrodiagnostic examination were presence of generalized spontaneous electric muscle activity (89.6%), decreased motor nerve conduction velocity (52.3%), abnormal F-wave studies (72.4%), pattern of temporal dispersion (26.1%) and unremarkable sensory tests. The clinical course was mainly described as remittent (49.2%) or remittent-relapsing (34.9%), while stagnation, progressive course or waxing and waning were less frequently reported. Relapses were common and occurred in 35.7% of the cats' population. An overall favorable outcome was reported in 79.4% of patients. In conclusion, young age at the time of diagnosis and sudden onset of clinical signs were significantly associated with recovery (p < 0.05). Clinical and electrodiagnostic features and the remittent-relapsing clinical course resembles juvenile chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), as seen in human (children/adolescents), in many aspects.

Recurrent polyp formation with Candida tropicalis infection and otitis in a dog.

To describe a case of a recurrent Candida tropicalis otitis externa, media and interna in a dog with an ear polyp. A 9-year-old Irish Setter was presented with 2 episodes of otitis sinistra, left-sided vestibular syndrome and Horner syndrome 7 months apart. At the first episode a benign ear polyp was extracted and Candida tropicalis cultured from the left middle ear. The neurological signs disappeared within 7 days, the Candida infection was more difficult to treat. Seven months later, a polyp was found in the ear again and cytology was consistent with Candida tropicalis. A unilateral left total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy was performed and a middle ear culture confirmed Candida tropicalis. Treatment led to resolution of clinical signs. Candida tropicalis, an emerging pathogen, should be considered in cases of recurrent yeast otitis and may be difficult to treat.

[Canine meningoencephalitis and meningitis: retrospective analysis of a veterinary hospital population]. / Meningoenzephalitis und Meningitis beim Hund: retrospektive Analyse einer Klinikpopulation.

OBJECTIVE: Characterization of the etiology of meningoencephalitis and meningitis in dogs through an analysis of a veterinary hospital population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study (2011-2016) with evaluation of clinical and diagnostic data of dogs with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis (> 5/µl). Only dogs with cytological evaluation of CSF or pathological examination of CNS were included. Results of CSF cytology and examination for infectious diseases were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 62 dogs met the inclusion criteria. 14.5 % (n = 9) were classified as reactive CSF pleocytosis due to other structural CNS disease, such as neoplasia or infarct. Meningoencephalitis or meningitis of unknown origin was diagnosed in 56.5 % (n = 35). In 29.0 % (n = 18), investigations for infectious diseases or presence of bacteria in CSF cytology (n = 5) indicated an infectious etiology. This infectious etiology appeared reliable in 6 dogs (9.7 %) based on the examination findings, in 9 dogs (14.5 %), there was only a suspicion of infectious meningoencephalitis or meningitis and in 3 dogs (4.8 %), the findings were of uncertain significance. CONCLUSION: The most common cause of CSF pleocytosis was meningoencephalitis or meningitis of unknown origin. Nevertheless, there was evidence of a possible infectious etiology in 29 % of the dogs. For a reliable diagnosis, it is important to assess the CSF cytology and to conduct investigations for infectious diseases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Meningoencephalitis or meningitis of unknown origin requires immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, CSF cytology and investigations for infectious diseases are important for an exclusion of infectious meningoencephalitis or meningitis.

Generalized myoclonic epilepsy with photosensitivity in juvenile dogs caused by a defective DIRAS family GTPase 1.

The clinical and electroencephalographic features of a canine generalized myoclonic epilepsy with photosensitivity and onset in young Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs (6 wk to 18 mo) are described. A fully penetrant recessive 4-bp deletion was identified in the DIRAS family GTPase 1 (DIRAS1) gene with an altered expression pattern of DIRAS1 protein in the affected brain. This neuronal DIRAS1 gene with a proposed role in cholinergic transmission provides not only a candidate for human myoclonic epilepsy but also insights into the disease etiology, while establishing a spontaneous model for future intervention studies and functional characterization.