Description and clinical relevance of the variable conformation of canine spinal arachnoid diverticula.

The conformation of spinal arachnoid diverticula (SAD) and their clinical implications are poorly characterized in dogs. This retrospective cross-sectional study describes different SAD conformations in dogs and aims to identify if there is an association between SAD conformation and clinical features, localization, syringomyelia (SM) presence, concurrent vertebral condition, treatment option, and short as well as long-term outcome. Sixty-two dogs were included (12 cervical and 50 thoracolumbar SAD).

A case series of 37 surgically managed, paraplegic, deep pain negative French bulldogs, with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion, from two English referral centres.

Background: Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions (TL-IVDEs) are a common spinal disorder in dogs, especially within chondrodystrophic breeds. Loss of deep pain perception is a well-documented negative prognostic indicator in dogs with TL-IVDE. The objectives of this study were to report the rate of return of deep pain perception and independent ambulation in surgically treated, paraplegic, deep pain perception negative French bulldogs with TL-IVDEs.

Risk factors associated with short-term mortality and recurrence of status epilepticus in dogs.

Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency associated with serious consequences for both patient and owner. Data regarding risk factors for short-term mortality or recurrence in dogs with SE is limited.

Objective: Identify risk factors associated with short-term mortality (euthanasia or spontaneous death) and recurrence of SE in dogs.

Linear magnetic resonance imaging measurements of the hippocampal formation differ in young versus old dogs.

Age-related hippocampal formation (HF) atrophy has been documented on MRI studies using volumetric analysis and visual rating scales.This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to compare linear MRI measurements of the HF between young (1-3 years) and old (>10 years) non-brachycephalic dogs, with normal brain anatomy and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Right and left hippocampal formation height (HFH), height of the brain (HB) and mean HFH/HB ratio were measured by two observers on a transverse T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence containing rostral colliculi and mesencephalic aqueduct.

Hereditary ataxia in four related Norwegian Buhunds.

CASE DESCRIPTION Two 12-week-old Norwegian Buhunds from a litter of 5 were evaluated because of slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia and fine head tremors. Two other females from the same pedigree had been previously evaluated for similar signs. CLINICAL FINDINGS Findings of general physical examination, CBC, and serum biochemical analysis were unremarkable for all affected puppies.

Clinical and genetic characterisation of dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in a family of Miniature Poodle dogs.

Four full-sibling intact male Miniature Poodles were evaluated at 4-19 months of age. One was clinically normal and three were affected. All affected dogs were reluctant to exercise and had generalised muscle atrophy, a stiff gait and a markedly elevated serum creatine kinase activity.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of leukoaraiosis in elderly dogs.

Leukoaraiosis is a descriptive term used to designate bilateral, symmetrical, white matter lesions identified in brains of elderly human patients. These lesions are isointense to normal in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1-weighted pulse sequences, non-contrast enhancing, and hyperintense in T2-weighted and FLAIR pulse sequences. Pathophysiologic mechanisms for leukoaraiosis remain incompletely understood; however, an ischemic origin is currently being favored.

Slowly progressive lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalomyelitis in 21 adult cats presenting with peculiar neurological signs.

Twenty-one cats presented with a history of slowly progressive neurological signs characterised by a stiff extended tail, behavioural changes, and spastic and ataxic gait. All cats had outdoor access and lived in the same geographical rural area in north-east Scotland. Histological findings were consistent with lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalomyelitis.

Surgical technique, postoperative complications and outcome in 14 dogs treated for hydrocephalus by ventriculoperitoneal shunting.

Objective: To report frequency and type of complications, and outcome in dogs with severe neurologic signs secondary to internal, suspected obstructive hydrocephalus treated by ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Dogs (n=14).

Prevalence, heritability and genetic correlations of congenital sensorineural deafness and pigmentation phenotypes in the Border Collie.

The objectives of this study were to estimate prevalence, heritability and genetic correlations of congenital sensorineural deafness (CSD) and pigmentation phenotypes in the Border Collie. Entire litters of Border Collies that presented to the Animal Health Trust (1994-2008) for assessment of hearing status by brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER) at 4-10 weeks of age were included. Heritability and genetic correlations were estimated using residual maximum likelihood (REML).

Disseminated mast cell tumor infiltrating the sphenoid bone and causing blindness in a dog.

Mast cell tumors are found in most organs and tissues with variable biologic behavior in dogs. This case illustrates the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a dog with disseminated mast cell tumor infiltrating the sphenoid bones. A 6-year-old male neutered Greyhound presented with a 3-day history of acute onset of blindness.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in 92 cats with clinical signs of spinal cord disease.

Medical records of 92 cats presented with clinical signs of spinal cord disease, which had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were reviewed. The cats were grouped into seven categories based upon the diagnosis suggested by results of MRI, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and other diagnostic procedures: neoplastic (n=25), inflammatory or infectious (n=13), traumatic (n=8), vascular (n=6), degenerative (n=5), anomalous (n=3) and those with an unremarkable MRI (n=32). There were two independent predictors of abnormal MRI findings: severity of clinical signs and presence of spinal pain.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of spinal epidural empyema in five dogs.

Spinal epidural empyema is defined an accumulation of purulent material in the epidural space of the vertebral canal. Spinal epidural empyema should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with pyrexia, spinal pain, and rapidly progressing myelopathy. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the imaging test of choice in humans.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of canine inflammatory myopathies in three dogs.

In humans affected with inflammatory myopathies, regions of altered signal intensity are found on magnetic resonance (MR) images of affected muscles. Although electromyography (EMG) is more practical for muscle disease evaluation, and a muscle biopsy is the only manner in which a definitive diagnosis can be made, MR imaging has proven useful if a specific anatomic localization is difficult to achieve. Three dogs with focal inflammatory myopathy diagnosed with the assistance of MR imaging are discussed and the findings are compared with those found in humans.

Spinal cord injury resulting from incorrect microchip placement in a cat.

A 2-year-old, male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for investigation of an acute onset of tetraparesis immediately following the implantation of a pet identification microchip. A left-sided C6-T2 spinal segment localisation was suspected from the neurological examination, with spinal cord trauma being the primary differential diagnosis. Myelography demonstrated obliteration of the contrast columns by the microchip at the C5-C6 intervertebral disc space.

Hematomyelia secondary to lumbar cerebrospinal fluid acquisition in a dog.

A 2-year-old male (Hungarian Vizsla) was evaluated for progressive discomfort of possible spinal origin. A minimum data base, thoracolumbar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examination and electrophysiologic investigation were all normal. Cerebellomedullary and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected.