Intramuscular tetanus neurotoxin reverses muscle atrophy: a randomized controlled trial in dogs with spinal cord injury.

Background: Motor symptoms of spinal cord injury (SCI) considerably impair quality of life and are associated with a high risk of secondary diseases. So far, no pharmacological treatment is available for these symptoms. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in dogs with spontaneous SCI due to disc herniation to test whether a reduction of spinal inhibitory activity by intramuscular injections of tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) alleviates motor symptoms such as muscle atrophy or gait function.

Therapeutic effects of Tetanus neurotoxin in spinal cord injury: a case series on four dogs.

Study Design: Case series on four dogs.

Objectives: To determine the alleviation of motor symptoms in spinal cord injury (SCI) by tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT).

Setting: Different Berlin veterinary clinics, Germany.