An extradural cyst in a French Bulldog.

CASE HISTORY: A 7-year-old, male neutered French Bulldog was referred to a specialist veterinary hospital for evaluation of progressive paraparesis of 6-months' duration. The owners reported both faecal and urinary incontinence at home. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The dog presented with ambulatory paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia that was more pronounced in the right pelvic limb. The pelvic limb withdrawal response and sciatic myotatic response were reduced bilaterally. Postural reaction responses were delayed in both pelvic limbs, and this was more obvious in the right pelvic limb. The anal tone and perineal sensation were normal at the time of examination.An L4-S3 myelopathy was suspected. CT of the spine revealed a compressive, bilobed, extramedullary, cyst-like structure within the vertebral canal, between L7 and S3. Surgical removal of the cyst via a L7-S1 dorsal laminectomy was performed. Histopathological examination and additional immunohistochemistry of the excised structure indicated a probable ependymal cyst with a ciliated lining. The dog recovered well post-operatively, and at follow-up 3 weeks later had some improvement of his neurological signs. The paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia had improved; however, the remaining neurological examination was similar to the pre-surgical examination. DIAGNOSIS: Extradural cyst. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Spinal cysts can contribute to clinical signs that resemble other common chronic spinal cord diseases, such as intervertebral disc disease. Therefore, this disease should be considered as a differential when dealing with cases of progressive paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia. This case report may potentially provide opportunities in the future for further understanding of the pathogenesis, behaviour, outcomes and subclassification of spinal cysts in dogs.

Multifocal spinal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in a juvenile paraparetic dog.

A 1-year-old, female English Bulldog presented with a 10-day history of progressive paraparesis. Neuroanatomical localization was consistent with T3-L3 segment myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a severely compressive, mildly contrast enhancing, extradural, dorsal, broad-based mass at the level of L3-4. Similar, non-compressive, smaller nodules were present along the extradural space and dura mater of the caudal lumbar spine. Owners elected euthanasia based on these imaging findings and progressive clinical signs. Necropsy, histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a mesenchymal mass and nodules, admixed with numerous inflammatory cells. The diagnosis of an extradural inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) with a multifocal presentation was made.

Disseminated blastomycosis in a 1-year-old, male golden retriever-poodle crossbred dog.

A 1-year-old male golden retriever-poodle crossbred dog was brought to a veterinary clinic with a 1-month travel history to Muskoka, Ontario and a 1-week history of left eye irritation and ocular discharge. Ophthalmic examination and blood analysis revealed bilateral uveitis with a normal complete blood (cell) count and biochemistry panel. Symptomatic treatment was administered with no improvement observed and the dog returned 2 weeks later for assessment of a draining swelling of the left hind 4th digit. Clinical examination of thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound showed evidence of disseminated blastomycosis characterized by pulmonary lesions, and multifocal lymphadenopathy. Biopsy of the draining lesion and cytological examination of an enlarged lymph node established diagnosis. The dog was started on a standard antifungal treatment protocol (itraconazole) but returned after 11 d of treatment with neurological signs including ataxia, paraparesis, left head tilt, and compulsive turning. Humane euthanasia was chosen and the diagnosis was confirmed at postmortem examination.

Blastomycose disséminée chez un chien croisé golden retriever-caniche mâle de 1 an. Un chien croisé golden retriever-caniche mâle âgé d'un an a été amené à une clinique vétérinaire avec un historique de voyage d'un mois à Muskoka, en Ontario et une histoire d'irritation de l'oeil gauche et d'écoulement oculaire d'une semaine. L'examen ophtalmologique et l'analyse sanguine ont révélé une uvéite bilatérale avec une numération globulaire complète et un bilan biochimique normaux. Un traitement symptomatique a été administré sans amélioration observée et le chien est revenu 2 semaines plus tard pour l'évaluation d'une enflure drainante du 4e doigt postérieur gauche. L'examen clinique des radiographies thoraciques et de l'échographie abdominale a montré des signes de blastomycose disséminée caractérisée par des lésions pulmonaires et une lymphadénopathie multifocale. Une biopsie de la lésion drainante et un examen cytologique d'un noeud lymphatique augmenté de volume ont permis d'établir le diagnostic. Le chien a débuté un protocole de traitement antifongique standard (itraconazole) mais est revenu après 11 jours de traitement avec des signes neurologiques, notamment ataxie, paraparésie, inclinaison de la tête à gauche et tournis compulsif. L'euthanasie sans cruauté a été choisie et le diagnostic a été confirmé lors de l'autopsie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Marek's Disease in an Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) with Clinical Ocular Disease and Paraparesis.

Marek's disease (MD) is caused by virulent strains of Gallid alphaherpesvirus type 2 (MD virus serotype 1; MDV 1) and frequently causes a lymphoproliferative disorder in poultry and other galliform birds worldwide. However, within the peafowl (Phasianinae) subfamily, there are only rare confirmed reports of MD. Here we report MD in an Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), which clinically presented with hindlimb paraparesis and intraocular swelling of the right eye. Soft, off-white to tan masses within the right eye, sciatic nerves and coelomic cavity were identified at post-mortem examination which effaced the cranial pole of the kidneys and diffusely effaced the testes. Lymphoid neoplasia was identified histologically at all of these sites and there was extensive hepatic lymphoid cell infiltration, which had not been grossly evident. The T-cell origin of the lymphoid cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry for CD3 antigen. A virulent strain of MDV 1 was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction in DNA samples extracted from the kidney and testes. As MD is rare in peafowl it should be considered as a differential diagnosis for intraocular and coelomic masses with associated clinical signs.

Spinal cord protothecosis causing paraparesis in a dog.

Protothecosis, an infectious disease caused by the green algae Prototheca zopfii and P. wickerhamii, occurs sporadically in domestic animals and humans. Diagnosis of CNS protothecosis is based on neurologic signs that indicate multifocal nervous system lesions and that follow a period of chronic diarrhea and weight loss, cytologic observation of algae in fecal culture or histopathology, and detection of the agent by PCR assay of infected tissues. Here, we report a case of a paraparetic dog with CNS protothecosis that was diagnosed definitively antemortem using CSF cytology, PCR, and DNA sequencing. A 4-y-old mixed-breed dog developed progressive paraparesis that followed weight loss and diarrhea. CSF analysis revealed marked eosinophilic pleocytosis. Prototheca organisms were detected by microscopic examination of the CSF, and speciated as P. zopfii by CSF PCR and DNA sequencing. Other possible causes of paraparesis were ruled out using computed tomography, serology, and CSF PCR. The dog's condition deteriorated despite treatment, developing forebrain and central vestibular system clinical signs, and it was euthanized at the owner's request. Postmortem examination was declined. Our findings indicate that when CNS protothecosis is suspected, antemortem diagnosis can be made using CSF analysis and a PCR assay.

Intradural extramedullary granular cell tumour in a cat.

A 7-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for progressive paraparesis, inability to jump, a paralysed tail and inability to void the bladder. Neurologic examination was consistent with a L4-S3 localisation. Survey radiographs of the lumbar vertebral column revealed L4-L7 vertebral body remodelling. A pre-contrast T1-weighted hyperintense, diffusely enhancing intradural lesion extending from L4 to S1 vertebral bodies was detected by MRI. Large, mesenchymal, round-to-polygonal cells arranged in nests or sheets were found on histologic examination at post mortem. These cells were characterised by abundant intracytoplasmic PAS-positive, diastase-resistant granules and positive immunoexpression of vimentin, S-100, neuron-specific enolase and desmin. This is the first report of a spinal granular cell tumour in a cat.

Leishmania hide-and-seek: Parasite amastigotes in the choroid plexus of a dog with neurological signs in an endemic municipality in Brazil.

A female adult mixed-breed stray dog presented with hind limb paraparesis and clinical signs of visceral leishmaniasis. The cerebrospinal fluid presented signs of blood-brain barrier disruption. Both spleen and brain were positive for Leishmania spp. DNA. Besides inflammation, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed the presence of intracellular amastigotes in the choroid plexus (CP). Despite other studies that revealed parasite DNA, the current study describes the presence of Leishmania within the brain of a naturally infected dog, specifically in CP, with no previous reports in the Americas, and suggests the CP as a possible pathway to parasite entry into the brain.

Clinical and pathological aspects of bovine lymphoma affecting the spinal cord / Aspectos clínicos e patológicos de linfoma bovino afetando a medula espinhal

Clinical and pathological features of bovine lymphoma involving the spinal cord were evaluated through a retrospective study of the necropsy database from 2005 to 2017. Thirty-four cases of bovine lymphoma were found, 24 of which had central nervous system involvement restricted to the spinal cord. All cattle were Holstein cows 2.5-12 years-old (median age, six years-old). The clinical course was 7-21 days, and the main neurological sign was pelvic limb paresis (81.8%). The lymphoma often affected the spinal cord in a multifocal manner. Lumbar segments were the mostly affected sites (23/24), followed by the sacral segments and cauda equina (20/24), cervical (5/24) and thoracic (5/24) segments. Tumors were in the epidural space, peripheral to the pachymeninges (extradural) and between layers of adipose tissue. In addition, two cases had progressive hemorrhagic myelomalacia. Further organs affected included the lymph nodes (100%), abomasum (79.2%), heart (75%) and kidneys (45.8%). Microscopically, all lymphomas had a diffuse pattern, with no meningeal or medullar infiltration. According to the REAL/WHO classification, all these neoplasms were mature B-cell lymphomas. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was observed in 95.8% (23/24) of the cases. The following subtypes were observed in the DLBCL group in descending order: immunoblastic (60.9%, 14/23), centroblastic (26.1%, 6/23), anaplastic (8.7%, 2/23) and T-cell rich (4.3%, 1/23).(AU)

Os aspectos clínicos e patológicos do linfoma bovino afetando a medula espinhal foram avaliados através de um estudo retrospectivo dos protocolos de necropsia durante o período de 2005-2017. De um total de 34 bovinos com linfoma, 24 apresentaram afecção do sistema nervoso central (SNC) restrito a medula espinhal. Todos os bovinos afetados eram fêmeas, da raça Holandesa, com 2,5 a 12 anos de idade (idade mediana de seis anos). Clinicamente, os casos tiveram uma evolução de sete a 21 dias, com a principal alteração neurológica caracterizada por paresia de membros pélvicos, a qual foi observada em 81,8% dos casos. O linfoma afetou frequentemente a medula espinhal de maneira multifocal. Os segmentos lombares foram os mais envolvidos (23/24), seguidos pelos sacrais e cauda equina (20/24), cervicais (5/24) e torácicos (5/24). Os tumores estavam localizados no espaço epidural, periférica à paquimeninge (extradural) e associada ao tecido adiposo. Em dois casos foi também observada mielomalacia hemorrágica progressiva. Os órgãos acometidos com maior frequência, concomitantemente ao espaço epidural, foram os linfonodos (100%), abomaso (79,2%), coração (75%) e rins (45,8%). Microscopicamente, todos os linfomas exibiam um padrão difuso, sem infiltração em meninges e medula espinhal (extradural). De acordo com a classificação da REAL/WHO, todos esses neoplasmas foram incluídos como linfomas de células B maduras. O linfoma difuso de grandes células B (LDGCB) foi observado em 95,8% (23/24) dos casos. Os subtipos classificados dentro do grupo dos LDGCB's foram em ordem decrescente: imunoblástico (60,9%; 14/23), centroblástico (26,1%; 6/23), anaplásico (8,7%; 2/23), e rico em células T (4,3%; 1/23).(AU)

Intervertebral disc herniation in two coatis (Nasua nasua) and postoperative laminectomy membrane formation.

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal cord compression due to intervertebral disc herniation of Hansen type I and II in the thoracolumbar vertebral column in two middle-aged coatis (Nasua nasua) with chronic progressive paraparesis. Surgical treatment included hemilaminectomy and partial corpectomy in one and dorsal laminectomy in the other coati. Both coatis recovered well after surgery. One showed unremarkable gait 6 and 15 months post surgery, while the other one suffered from recurrence of paraparesis leading to euthanasia because of deterioration of neurological signs 20 months after the first surgery. Necropsy revealed formation of a laminectomy membrane compressing the spinal cord. Histopathological signs of spinal cord injury and findings of degenerative processes in the intervertebral disc were comparable to those described in dogs. In conclusion, this case report shows for the first time that surgical intervention seems to be a useful and safe treatment in chronic intervertebral disc herniation in coatis, but relapses are possible.

Myocardial hypertrophy associated with long-term phenylpropanolamine use in a dog.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 9-year-old spayed female Dalmatian was examined because of progressive pelvic limb paraparesis. CLINICAL FINDINGS The dog had a history of chronic urinary incontinence and had been treated with phenylpropanolamine (PPA) for almost 8.5 years. Intervertebral disk disease at T12-13 was diagnosed, and a hemilaminectomy was performed. Three days after surgery, the dog developed a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Severe left and mild right ventricular hypertrophy were detected by echocardiography. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME The arrhythmia was controlled with sotalol. Phenylpropanolamine administration was discontinued immediately before surgery and was not resumed. Heart rate and rhythm and blood pressure were within reference limits, and the ventricular hypertrophy had almost completely resolved 5 months later. Sotalol administration was discontinued. Shortly after the 5-month recheck evaluation, PPA administration was resumed, albeit at a lower dosage than that before surgery, for control of urinary incontinence. At the 10-month recheck evaluation, the dog was hypertensive and ventricular hypertrophy had recurred. Discontinuation of PPA administration was recommended but not heeded. The dog developed marked azotemia 1.5 years after surgery, which was managed by the referring veterinarian, and was subsequently lost to follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The fact that the ventricular hypertrophy almost completely resolved when PPA administration was discontinued and then recurred after it was resumed strongly suggested the drug was an important contributing factor to the cardiac disease of this patient. Patients receiving PPA on a long-term basis should be frequently monitored for cardiac disease, and use of other adrenergic receptor agonists should be avoided in such patients.

ANIMAL TRAINING AND ACUPUNCTURE IN A BENGAL TIGER ( PANTHERA TIGRIS TIGRIS) WITH HIND LIMB PARAPARESIS.

An 18-yr-old, captive-born male Bengal tiger ( Panthera tigris tigris) presented a 1-yr history of chronic and progressive paraparesis in both hind limbs. Lateral and hind limb radiographs were revealed normal except for severe spondylosis deformans, forming a bony bridge between the last lumbar and the first sacral vertebra and disc mineralization between the second and third lumbar vertebra. Medical therapies were instituted, including corticosteroids, hydroacupuncture and electroacupuncture. Animal training allowed veterinarians to perform acupuncture safely without having to anesthetize the animal. Animal training made intensive treatment possible. Neither corticosteroids nor hydroacupuncture alone provided much clinical improvement. The tiger reacted positively after electroacupuncture was performed. The tiger began showing clinical improvement after three electroacupuncture treatments and could eventually walk on all four limbs at the end of the treatment.

Long-term outcome following surgical and radiation treatment of vertebral angiomatosis in a cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 2-year-old 5.2-kg (11.4-lb) neutered male domestic shorthair cat was referred because of a 6-week history of progressive paraparesis. CLINICAL FINDINGS Neurologic examination revealed moderate ambulatory paraparesis with marked spinal hyperesthesia at the thoracolumbar junction. The lesion was localized to the T3-L3 spinal cord segment. Clinicopathologic testing, thoracic radiography, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed no abnormalities to explain the observed clinical signs. Advanced spinal imaging with MRI revealed an extradural right-lateralized mass originating from the L2 vertebral pedicle and causing severe spinal cord compression. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Surgical decompression was achieved by performance of a right-sided hemilaminectomy at L2. Histologic examination of biopsy samples obtained from the mass revealed an ill-defined zone of mature vascular proliferation extending through the preexisting vertebral bone, consistent with vertebral angiomatosis. After surgical recovery, adjuvant radiation therapy was initiated with a total dose of 48 Gy administered in 16 fractions of 3 Gy each over a 3-week period. Neurologic function rapidly improved to full ambulation with only minimal monoparesis of the right pelvic limb. Results of neurologic and MRI examination performed 26 months after surgery indicated no change in neurologic status or evidence of recurrence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE To the authors' knowledge, this report was the first to describe the long-term outcome for vertebral angiomatosis in a cat. Surgical decompression and radiation therapy provided an excellent outcome in this case. Vertebral angiomatosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for any young cat with thoracolumbar myelopathy secondary to a mass associated with the vertebral pedicle.