[Ventral stabilization of an atlantoaxial subluxation with screws and polymethylmetacrylat in a miniature Yorkshire Terrier]. / Ventrale Stabilisation einer atlantoaxialen Subluxation mittels Schrauben und Polymethylmetacrylat bei einem Miniatur-Yorkshire-Terrier.

A 6-month-old female Miniature Yorkshire Terrier with a bodyweight of 1.1 kg was presented due to non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Latero-lateral radiographs showed an increased space between the spinal process of the axis and the dorsal arch of the atlas, with craniodorsal displacement and rotation of the body of the axis in relation to the atlas. Computed tomography also revealed a craniodorsal displacement of the axis in relation to the atlas with an unfusioned dens. Initially, a dorsal surgical approach was chosen and an intermuscular suture pattern was used attempting to achieve reduction of the subluxation. Radiographically and clinically the result however was not acceptable. In a second surgery, a ventral stabilization technique (using 4 1.5 mm screws in atlas and axis with polymethylmetacrylate) was performed. The achieved repositioning was considered acceptable. The dog was provided with a cervical bandage for 6 weeks. Clinically, the patient improved progressively and remains free of clinical signs up to the time of manuscript preparation, 37 months post-operatively.

Adverse Drug Reactions After Administration of Emodepside/Praziquantel (Profender®) in an MDR1-Mutant Australian Shepherd Dog: Case Report.

A 3-year-old male Australian Shepherd was presented with signs of neurological toxicity following the administration of Profender® at the recommended dosage. Unfortunately, the owner had received the product from a veterinarian without any further instructions on fasting as recommended by the manufacturer, so the dog was fed prior to Profender® administration. Neurological toxicity included generalized tremor, agitation and panting, and required hospitalization of the dog. All neurological signs resolved after symptomatic treatment within 24 h and the dog was discharged without the need for further medication. MDR1 genotyping revealed a homozygous mutation of the MDR1 gene, which is normally important to prevent brain penetration of emodepside by an efflux-based transport mechanism at the blood brain barrier. This case indicates that Profender® can lead to serious, but transient neurological toxicity in dogs with homozygous MDR1 mutation even at therapeutic dosage, in particular when fasting recommendations are disregarded. Therefore, the case report highlights both the importance of MDR1 genotyping in predisposed dog breeds as well as strict compliance with fasting recommendations around the time of Profender® administration.

[Measurement of thiamine concentration in the cat using high pressure liquid chromatography]. / Thiaminbestimmung bei der Katze mittels HPLC.

OBJECTIVE: Thiamine deficiency in cats frequently leads to a dysfunction of the central nervous system including vestibular signs with fatal outcome in untreated cases. The aim of the present study was to directly measure thiamine concentrations using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in feline blood samples and to evaluate values in healthy and diseased cats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples (1 ml EDTA-whole blood) from 193 cats were analysed for total thiamine and thiamine diphosphate using HPLC. For the interpretation of the results cats were retrospectively assigned to six groups: A) healthy cats, B) cats with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, C) cats with different traumas not affecting the gastrointestinal tract, D) cats with inappetence, cats with central vestibular signs and normal (E) or low values of thiamine (F), respectively. RESULTS: In animals of group F no obvious cause for the vestibular signs was found and spontaneous recovery after thiamine application occurred in three cats. Therefore thiamine deficiency was a highly likely clinical diagnosis. Total thiamine concentration (mean 48.2 µg/l, standard deviation ± 22.6) of group F significantly differered from the other groups (group A-D: p<0.01, group E: p<0.001). Comparable results were obtained for thiamine diphosphate. However, low total thiamine values were also found in cats with inappetence without any neurological signs. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the present study a method for direct measurement of thiamine formerly established for ruminants was evaluated for cats. A more accurate and objective clinical diagnosis of thiamine deficiency is feasible in cats with values less than 50 µg/l and typical clinical signs. In animals with values of total thiamine levels between 50-70 µg/l a prophylactic substitution of thiamine can be discussed.