Acute masticatory muscle compartmental syndrome in a dog.

CASE DESCRIPTION A5.5-year-old sexually intact male Bull Terrier was referred for evaluation because of sudden facial swelling and an inability to close its mouth. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination revealed bilaterally elevated nictitating membranes, an inability to adduct the mandible without assistance, and severe, diffuse, firm masticatory muscle swelling. Computed tomographic examination of the head revealed symmetric bilateral enlargement of the temporalis, masseter, and pterygoid muscles with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. Intracompartmental pressures in the left and right temporalis muscles as measured with an invasive arterial blood pressure transducer were 72 and 96 mm Hg, respectively. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Emergent fasciotomy of the temporalis and masseter muscles was performed, followed by medical management with corticosteroids and analgesics. The diffuse facial swelling resolved within 1 week after surgery. Results of serologic testing for antibody against masticatory 2M muscle fibers were negative. Results of histologic examination of temporalis muscle specimens were consistent with mild to moderate multifocal neutrophilic and histiocytic myositis with myofiber degeneration and necrosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Acute compartmental syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with a sudden onset of severe skeletal muscle swelling, signs of pain, and dysfunction. Findings for this dog with acute compartmental syndrome isolated to the masticatory muscles suggested that emergent fasciotomy followed by medical management may be an effective technique for treatment of this rare disease in dogs.

Assessment of antiepileptic drugs as substrates for canine P-glycoprotein.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are substrates for canine P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Sample Population-OS2.4/Doxo cells (canine osteosarcoma cells induced via exposure to doxorubicin to highly express P-gp). PROCEDURES: Competitive inhibition of rhodamine 123 efflux from OS2.4/Doxo cells was used to determine whether AEDs were substrates for canine P-gp. Flow cytometry was used to quantify mean fluorescence intensity of cells treated with rhodamine alone and in combination with each experimental drug. RESULTS: Known P-gp substrate drugs ivermectin and cyclosporin A altered rhodamine efflux by 90% and 95%, respectively. Experimental drugs altered rhodamine efflux weakly (diazepam, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and phenobarbital) or not at all (carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, topirimate, and zonisamide). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: At clinically relevant doses, it appeared that AEDs were weak substrates (diazepam, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and phenobarbital) or were not substrates (carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, topirimate, and zonisamide) for canine P-gp. Therefore, it seems unlikely that efficacy of these AEDs is affected by P-gp expression at the blood-brain barrier in dogs.

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of neurologic disease in dogs: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities in dogs can be challenging antemortem. Historically, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis has been used for routine diagnostic evaluation of animals with suspected neurologic disease; however, with increasing availability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the need for concurrent CSF analysis may be questioned. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess and compare the diagnostic information contributed from MR imaging and CSF analysis in a population of dogs presenting with neurologic disease. METHODS: Results of concurrent MR imaging and CSF analysis were evaluated in dogs presented for neurologic diseases. Based on clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity of CSF analysis and MR imaging for detecting a nervous system abnormality was calculated. Dogs with diagnoses confirmed by other diagnostic modalities were also evaluated separately. RESULTS: A total of 256 dogs were included in the study. For clinical diagnoses in which abnormalities were expected, MR imaging abnormalities were found in 89% and CSF abnormalities in 75% of dogs; CSF abnormalities were more common than MR imaging abnormalities only in inflammatory CNS disease. The majority of CSF abnormalities were nonspecific; an etiologic diagnosis was determined in only 2% of CSF samples. MR imaging excelled in detecting structural disorders, revealing 98% of vertebral abnormalities. In confirmed cases (n = 55), 76% of MR images and 9% of CSF samples were diagnostic. When intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) and vertebral malformation were excluded from analysis (n = 16 remaining), 25% of MR images and 6% of CSF cytology results were highly indicative of the confirmed diagnoses; CSF titer results provided the diagnosis in 25% of these cases. CONCLUSION: CSF analysis may not be necessary when MR findings of IVDD or vertebral malformation/instability are obvious; however, when the cause of neurologic disorder is uncertain, concurrent MR imaging and CSF analysis provides the greatest assistance in establishing a clinical diagnosis.

Fecal incontinence and spinal cord abnormalities in seven dogs.

Seven dogs with fecal incontinence and abnormal gaits were evaluated. Fecal incontinence was characterized as defecation of normal stools without posturing. Duration of clinical signs prior to evaluation ranged from 5 months to 3 years. Five dogs had upper motor neuron (UMN) paraparesis, and 2 dogs had UMN tetraparesis. With magnetic resonance imaging, spinal cord abnormalities primarily involving the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord were identified in all dogs. Five dogs had focal abnormalities, and 2 dogs had diffuse abnormalities of the spinal cord. Of the dogs with focal spinal cord lesions, 4 had cystic spinal cord abnormalities and 1 had a meningioma. Surgery was performed on all dogs with focal lesions; 4 of the 5 dogs had resolution of fecal incontinence after surgery. Results in these dogs suggest that fecal incontinence can be associated with spinal cord abnormalities and, depending on the characteristics of the lesion, can resolve after surgical treatment of the abnormality.