Case report: A severe case of generalized tetanus in a young cat.

A 10-month-old, 3 kg, female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat was presented with a chronic, infected wound at the level of the proximo-lateral left pelvic limb. General physical examination revealed a weight-bearing lameness of the left pelvic limb, which was moderately and circumferentially swollen and edematous proximal to the tarsal joint. On the lateral aspect of the proximal thigh, there was a chronic wound of 1 cm in diameter and an additional exudative skin lesion was present throughout the whole length of the caudo-lateral thigh. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry profile revealed mild anemia, increased serum amyloid A, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, hypocalcaemia, hyperkalaemia, hypermagnesaemia, hyperglycaemia, increased creatine kinase, and increased liver parameters. Surgical exploration of the wound was performed, and necrotizing fasciitis was suspected. The affected limb was amputated and swabs for bacterial culture were taken from both the skin lesions and surgical site before wound closure. One day after surgery, mild muscular contractions on the forehead and an increased muscle tone of the right pelvic limb were evident. One day later, the cat developed a generalized increase in extensor tone, with intermittent opisthotonos, resulting in lateral recumbency. Based on these clinical signs, a diagnosis of generalized tetanus was made and treatment with midazolam, methocarbamol, and metronidazole was started. Despite an improvement of all blood parameters, the cat progressively deteriorated and 4 days after surgery, it developed episodes of tetanic convulsions, associated with hyperthermia and ventricular arrhythmias. Despite intensive care and medical management, the cat died following a cardio-respiratory arrest 3 days later. This case report describes a rare case of severe generalized tetanus in a young cat.

Demographics, clinical findings and diagnoses of cranial thoracic myelopathies (T1-T6 vertebrae) in cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe the patient demographics, clinicopathological features and presumptive or final diagnoses in cats with myelopathies between the T1 and T6 vertebrae. METHODS: This retrospective multicentre case study enrolled cases between 2015 and 2022 that were diagnosed with myelopathies between the T1 and T6 vertebrae as the primary cause for the presenting clinical signs. RESULTS: A total of 21 cases matched the inclusion criteria, 13 males (11 castrated and 2 entire) and 8 spayed females (median age 93 months; range 5-192). Most of the cases presented with a chronic and progressive history (76% and 86%, respectively), with a median duration of 29 days (range 1-2880). At the time of presentation, 90% of the cases were localised to the T3-L3 spinal cord segments based on neurological examination. The most common underlying pathology was neoplasia (42.9%), followed by inflammatory (24%), anomalous (19%), degenerative (9.5%) and vascular (4.8%) disorders. The most common location was T3-T4 (29%), followed by T2-T3 and T5-T6 (19% each). The cutaneous trunci reflex was normal in 86% of the cases and most of the cases (71%) did not show spinal discomfort upon admission. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Neoplasia was the most common cause of cranial thoracic myelopathy in this study. The lack of pathognomonic clinical signs for this specific region highlights the importance of assessing the entire thoracolumbar region up to and including at least the T1 vertebra when investigating cases with signs consistent with a T3-L3 myelopathy.

Thoracic to lumbar vertebral column length and length ratios in miniature dachshunds with and without thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion.

BACKGROUND: The chondrodystrophic body type predisposes miniature dachshunds to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE). However, the relationship between thoracolumbar IVDE and the relative lengths of the thoracic and lumbar vertebral columns has not yet been evaluated. METHODS: This prospective multicentre study included 151 miniature dachshunds with (n = 47) and without (n = 104) thoracolumbar IVDE. All dogs had their thoracic and lumbar vertebral columns measured with a tape measure. Detailed descriptions were provided to facilitate consistent measurement. A thoracic to lumbar vertebral column ratio was calculated. Thoracolumbar IVDE was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. RESULTS: The thoracic to lumbar vertebral column length ratio and absolute thoracic vertebral column length were significantly smaller in miniature dachshunds with IVDE than in those without IVDE (p < 0.0001 for both). There were no significant differences in lumbar vertebral column length, age, sex or neuter status between the two groups. LIMITATIONS: The dogs without IVDE did not undergo a neurological examination and the thoracic and lumbar vertebral column measurements were not validated. CONCLUSIONS: The relative lengths of the thoracic and lumbar vertebral column segments could contribute to the development of thoracolumbar IVDE in miniature dachshunds. Further studies are needed to evaluate ideal thoracic to lumbar vertebral column length ratios in miniature dachshunds.

Serum anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a ganglioside IgG antibodies are biomarkers for immune-mediated polyneuropathies in cats.

Recent work identified anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG ganglioside antibodies as biomarkers in dogs clinically diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis, in turn considered a canine equivalent of Guillain-Barré syndrome. This study aims to investigate the serum prevalence of similar antibodies in cats clinically diagnosed with immune-mediated polyneuropathies. The sera from 41 cats clinically diagnosed with immune-mediated polyneuropathies (IPN), 9 cats with other neurological or neuromuscular disorders (ONM) and 46 neurologically normal cats (CTRL) were examined for the presence of IgG antibodies against glycolipids GM1, GM2, GD1a, GD1b, GalNAc-GD1a, GA1, SGPG, LM1, galactocerebroside and sulphatide. A total of 29/41 IPN-cats had either anti-GM2 or anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies, with 24/29 cats having both. Direct comparison of anti-GM2 (sensitivity: 70.7%; specificity: 78.2%) and anti-GalNAc-GD1a (sensitivity: 70.7%; specificity: 70.9%) antibodies narrowly showed anti-GM2 IgG antibodies to be the better marker for identifying IPN-cats when compared to the combined ONM and CTRL groups (P = .049). Anti-GA1 and/or anti-sulphatide IgG antibodies were ubiquitously present across all sample groups, whereas antibodies against GM1, GD1a, GD1b, SGPG, LM1 and galactocerebroside were overall only rarely observed. Anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies may serve as serum biomarkers for immune-mediated polyneuropathies in cats, as previously observed in dogs and humans.

Cranial thoracic myelopathies (T1-T6 vertebrae): Retrospective evaluation of the signalment, clinical presentation, and, presumptive or final diagnoses in 84 dogs.

The aim of the study was to describe the signalment, clinical presentation and presumptive or final diagnoses of dogs with cranial thoracic spinal cord lesions identified on advanced imaging. Retrospective evaluation of the databases of three veterinary specialty centres, between 2009 and 2021, was performed to identify dogs with a lesion affecting the cranial thoracic vertebral column (T1-T6 vertebrae) as the primary cause for presenting signs of myelopathy and/or spinal pain. Eighty-four dogs were included in the study, with the majority (n = 76) presenting with a progressive history of over 4-weeks' duration. On neurologic examination, most dogs were ambulatory (n = 64), and the most common neuroanatomic localisation was the T3-L3 spinal cord segments (n = 63). Twelve dogs (14%) showed a short-strided thoracic limb gait on clinical examination. The most common diagnosis was neoplasia (n = 33), followed by anomalies (n = 22, including vertebral body malformations in 14 dogs) and degenerative disorders (n = 16, with intervertebral disc protrusion diagnosed in 9 dogs). The most common vertebrae affected were T3 and T5. Most dogs with degenerative conditions showed asymmetric clinical signs, and the majority of dogs with neoplasia showed signs of spinal hyperaesthesia on examination. The findings of this study describe the clinical signs and presumptive or final diagnoses associated with lesions affecting the cranial thoracic spinal cord. When combined with the signalment and clinical history, this information can assist in both the recognition of and problem-based approach to these cases.

Suspected acquired narcolepsy in 8 dogs.

BACKGROUND: Acquired narcolepsy has rarely been reported in veterinary medicine. OBJECTIVE: To describe the presentation, clinicopathological features, diagnostic imaging findings, and management of dogs with suspected-acquired narcolepsy. ANIMALS: Eight dogs with clinical features consistent with acquired narcolepsy. METHODS: A call for suspected cases of acquired narcolepsy was made online, followed by a retrospective review of detailed medical records of potential cases. Dogs were included if episodes consistent with cataplexy were present during examination by a board-certified veterinary neurologist and diagnostic work-up included magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: Seven French Bulldogs and 1 Chihuahua (age range, 9-66 months) were included. Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin was diagnosed in 2 dogs, extracranial foci of inflammation were identified in 2 dogs (aspiration pneumonia, esophagitis, otitis media), and no abnormalities were found on diagnostic investigations in 4 dogs. Prednisolone was used in the management of all dogs, 6 dogs received imipramine, and 2 received cytosine arabinoside. An initial remission of signs was observed in all dogs, but a subsequent relapse of clinical signs was recorded for 4 dogs, of which 3 responded to adjustment or resumption of treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The presence of cataplexy episodes should prompt a thorough diagnostic work-up to exclude the presence of intracranial (and extracranial) pathology. The potential for both remission and relapse of signs in suspected acquired cases is important for clinicians and owners to be aware of.

Canine Nonstructural Megaesophagus as a Clinical Sign of Potential Neurological Disease: 99 Cases.

Knowledge regarding the etiology and prognosis for canine megaesophagus (ME) is currently limited to small case series that may now be out of date in light of recent advances in the understanding of neurological syndromes and the availability of advanced diagnostic testing. Ninety-nine dogs diagnosed with nonstructural ME were included. Congenital idiopathic ME was present in 10 cases, with complete resolution of clinical signs in a single case. Eighty-nine cases were considered acquired, with most cases being either idiopathic (42.7%) or associated with myasthenia gravis (38.2%). Idiopathic cases represented a smaller percentage of acquired ME than previously reported. Death or euthanasia directly related to ME occurred in almost 50% of acquired cases, whereas clinical signs persisted in ∼20% of cases and resolved in 30% of cases. A diagnosis of an underlying etiology, in particular myasthenia gravis, was associated with a better outcome in acquired ME. ME continues to be a challenging condition to manage, with a guarded-to-poor prognosis, particularly when an underlying etiology is not identified. Thorough diagnostic testing for an underlying neurological disorder is important in cases with ME as this may allow institution of appropriate treatment and the potential for a better prognosis.

Saccadic oscillations in 4 dogs and 1 cat.

Disorders affecting the control of saccadic eye movements result in involuntary saccadic oscillations and are widely reported in human medicine. Information regarding the occurrence and potential importance of saccadic oscillations in veterinary medicine is currently limited. The clinical histories of three dogs and one cat displaying involuntary eye movements consistent with opsoclonus are presented, with final diagnoses including idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). A dog with eye movements closely resembling macrosaccadic oscillations is also presented, for which a final diagnosis of NCL was made. All animals had clinical signs of cerebellar disease. As in human medicine, recognition of these forms of involuntary eye movement might suggest a cerebellar neuroanatomic localization. Opsoclonus and macrosaccadic oscillations are forms of involuntary saccadic eye movement that are both unrecognized and under-reported in veterinary medicine.

Medical management of spinal epidural empyema in five dogs.

CASE DESCRIPTION 5 dogs were examined because of clinical signs of myelopathy, including signs of pain associated with the spinal region and rapidly progressive neurologic deficits. CLINICAL FINDINGS In all dogs, results of MRI were consistent with spinal epidural empyema. Concurrent infectious processes were identified at adjacent or distant sites in all dogs, including diskospondylitis, prostatitis, dermatitis, paraspinal infection following a penetrating injury, urinary tract infection, and pyothorax. Bacteria were isolated from 3 dogs; Escherichia coli was isolated from blood, urine, and prostatic wash samples from 1 dog; a Pasteurella sp was isolated from a percutaneous aspirate from an adjacent infected wound in a second dog; and a Corynebacterium sp was isolated from a thoracic fluid sample from a third dog. For the remaining 2 dogs, results of bacterial culture were negative. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME All dogs showed clinical improvement within 2 weeks after initiation of antimicrobial treatment, and all had an excellent long-term outcome. CLINICAL RELEVANCE In dogs, spinal epidural empyema has previously been regarded as a surgical emergency. Findings for dogs in the present report suggested that, as is the case for humans, selected dogs with spinal epidural empyema may be successfully managed with medical treatment alone.

Immunocytochemical demonstration of feline infectious peritonitis virus within cerebrospinal fluid macrophages.

A 4-month-old female entire domestic shorthair cat presented with an acute onset of blindness, tetraparesis and subsequent generalised seizure activity. Haematology and serum biochemistry demonstrated a moderate, poorly regenerative anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hyperglobulinaemia with a low albumin:globulin ratio. Serology for feline coronavirus antibody was positive with an elevated alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. Analysis of cisternal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) demonstrated markedly elevated protein and a mixed, predominately neutrophilic pleocytosis. Immunocytochemistry for feline coronavirus was performed on the CSF, with positive staining observed inside macrophages. The cat was subsequently euthanased, and both histopathology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis. This is the first reported use of immunocytochemistry for detection of feline coronavirus within CSF macrophages. If this test proves highly specific, as for identification of feline coronavirus within tissue or effusion macrophages, it would be strongly supportive of an ante-mortem diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis in cats with central nervous system involvement without the need for biopsy.