ABSTRACT
Auditory function was tested by brainstem-evoked response (BSR) audiometry in dogs affected by hereditary retinal degeneration (HRD). Comparison of BSR thresholds and latency-intensity functions revealed no significant difference between progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRCD) affected and unaffected miniature poodles, and no evidence of sensorineural hearing loss in HRD-affected English cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers. The authors conclude that hearing loss is not a feature of the retinal degenerations in these dogs.
Subject(s)
Brain Stem , Evoked Potentials, Auditory , Retinal Degeneration/diagnosis , Animals , Dogs , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/complications , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/diagnosis , Photoreceptor Cells , Retinal Degeneration/complicationsABSTRACT
We examined the in vivo demyelinating activity of serum from dogs with acute canine idiopathic polyneuropathy (ACIP), a Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)-like illness. Sera from 6 ACIP cases demyelinated rat sciatic nerves more intensely than 11 control sera. Serum activity increased after guinea pig serum (gps) was added, although gps alone had little effect. ACIP sera did not bind more to whole nerve cross sections or Schwann cells in vitro than control sera, and did not contain elevated antigalactocerebroside titers. We do not as yet know the pathogenic importance of the demyelinating factor in ACIP and control dog serum, or understand its relationship to the demyelinating constituent in serum from humans with GBS.
Subject(s)
Demyelinating Diseases/immunology , Dog Diseases/immunology , Peripheral Nerves/immunology , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/veterinary , Animals , Dog Diseases/blood , Dogs , Guinea Pigs/immunology , Myelin Basic Protein/immunology , Myelin Sheath/immunology , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/immunology , Rats , Schwann Cells/immunology , Sciatic Nerve/immunologyABSTRACT
Six cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI had hindlimb paresis and other clinical signs associated with compression of the thoracolumbar spinal cord. In 5 cats, the neurologic abnormality progressed over 2 to 4 weeks to loss of thoracolumbar spinal cord function. In 1 cat, the hindlimb paresis remained stable for 18 months. In the cats with progressive worsening of hindlimb function, the abnormality was caused by compression of the spinal cord from proliferation of bony tissue in the thoracolumbar region. In all affected cats, the compression occurred from T12 to L2. In 1 cat, an attempt to relieve the clinical signs by surgery was unsuccessful.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/pathology , Mucopolysaccharidoses/veterinary , Mucopolysaccharidosis VI/veterinary , Paralysis/veterinary , Spinal Cord Compression/veterinary , Animals , Cat Diseases/genetics , Cats , Hindlimb , Mucopolysaccharidosis VI/pathology , Paralysis/pathology , Spinal Cord/pathology , Spinal Cord Compression/pathologyABSTRACT
We evaluated 14 previously healthy dogs with acute progressive flaccid quadriparesis and hyporeflexia. Electrophysiological and pathological features indicated varying degrees of motor-sensory polyneuropathy with some demyelination. Perivenular cellular infiltrations were present in roots of one autopsied case. Recovery was rapid and often complete in dogs that did not die from respiratory complications. Two dogs subsequently developed a chronic progressive course and two had a relapsing, corticosteroid-responsive course. Acute canine idiopathic polyneuropathy (ACIP) shares many features with the Guillain-Barré syndrome, and may be a naturally occurring model of the human disorder.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Polyradiculoneuropathy/veterinary , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Dogs , Electromyography , Ganglia, Spinal/pathology , Nerve Fibers, Myelinated/ultrastructure , Neural Conduction , Polyradiculoneuropathy/diagnosis , Polyradiculoneuropathy/pathology , Sciatic Nerve/pathology , Spinal Nerve Roots/pathology , Sural Nerve/pathology , Ulnar Nerve/pathologyABSTRACT
Seizures are possible complications of metrizamide myelography. The protective effect (as measured by reduction in seizure incidence) of dextrose in solution with metrizamide was studied by conducting a double-blind trail. Fourteen dogs each had two myelograms at five- to 16-day intervals in a crossover study, while ten additional dogs each had a single myelogram. Metrizamide alone and metrizamide in dextrose were used for the myelograms. No significant protective effect of dextrose was found.
Subject(s)
Glucose/administration & dosage , Metrizamide/adverse effects , Myelography/veterinary , Seizures/prevention & control , Animals , Clinical Trials as Topic , Dogs , Double-Blind Method , Injections, SpinalABSTRACT
From among a large group of dogs with acute tetraparesis, we identified 10 dogs with a distinct peripheral nerve disorder. Prior to the onset of signs, all of the dogs had been healthy, and none was known to have been exposed to a neurotoxin or raccoon bite. Weakness, with hypoactive or absent segmental reflexes, became progressively worse for 1 to 21 days. Results of electromyography and nerve conduction studies invariably were compatible with a diagnosis of polyneuropathy that predominantly affected proximal nerve segments. Appearance of nerve biopsy specimens and the short time course for functional recovery suggested a demyelinative component to the disorder. The extent of recovery was variable but often rapid and complete in dogs that did not succumb to complications in the early period. Corticosteroid therapy did not demonstrably influence the outcome. This acute idiopathic polyneuropathy in the dog shares many clinical and pathologic features with idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis (Coonhound paralysis).
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/veterinary , Acute Disease , Animals , Dogs , Electromyography/veterinary , Female , Male , Neural Conduction , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology , Quadriplegia/diagnosis , Quadriplegia/physiopathology , Quadriplegia/veterinaryABSTRACT
Iced saline compresses using cotton gauze eye patches with the center cut out are used by our service following blepharoplasties. This technique enables the patient to see while still enjoying the benefit of the compresses, thus improving postoperative cooperation.
