Obstructive Hydrocephalus and Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Disseminated Protothecosis in a Boxer Dog.

Canine protothecosis is a rare disease caused by saprophytic unicellular achlorophyllous aerobic algae that are ubiquitous in the environment. We report a novel case of neurological and cardiological manifestations associated with disseminated protothecosis. An adult spayed female Boxer dog was presented with a 1-week history of anorexia, progressive central vestibular signs, and a Grade III/VI systolic heart murmur.

Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous ketamine administration via the Omnipod® system in dogs.

Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic agent with analgesic and antidepressant effects that can prevent maladaptive pain. Ketamine is metabolized by the liver into norketamine, an active metabolite. Prior rodent studies have suggested that norketamine is thought to contribute up to 30% of ketamine's analgesic effect.

Implantation Corridors in Canine Thoracic Vertebrae: A Morphometric Study in Dogs of Varying Sizes.

Objective:  Surgical stabilization to treat fractures, luxations, and congenital malformations in the thoracic spine can be difficult due to its unique anatomy and surrounding structures. Our objective was to document the morphometrics of the thoracic vertebrae relating to an ideal trajectory for dorsolateral implant placement in a variety of dog sizes and to assess proximity to important adjacent critical anatomical structures using computed tomography (CT) studies.

Study Design:  Medical records for 30 dogs with thoracic CT were evaluated.

Clinical and imaging findings in dogs with nerve root signature associated with cervical intervertebral disc herniation.

Background: Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is the most common spinal cord disease in dogs. Little information is available regarding the clinical presentation of nerve root signature (NRS) associated with cervical IVDH.

Hypothesis/objective: To detail the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in dogs with NRS associated with cervical IVDH.

Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of atlanto-axial subluxation in 42 dogs: Analysis of joint cavity size, subluxation distance, and craniocervical junction anomalies.

Background: Atlanto-axial (AA) subluxation can be a complex syndrome in dogs. Accurate identification and assessment of this condition are key to providing treatment and resolution.

Aim: The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of AA subluxation and associated neurologic deficits.

Gold Nanostars Obviate Limitations to Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) for the Treatment of Intracranial Tumors.

Purpose: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is an effective minimally invasive treatment option for intracranial tumors. Our group produced plasmonics-active gold nanostars (GNS) designed to preferentially accumulate within intracranial tumors and amplify the ablative capacity of LITT.

Experimental Design: The impact of GNS on LITT coverage capacity was tested in ex vivo models using clinical LITT equipment and agarose gel-based phantoms of control and GNS-infused central "tumors.

Presumed pituitary apoplexy in 26 dogs: Clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes.

Background: Pituitary apoplexy refers to hemorrhage or infarction within the pituitary gland resulting in acute neurological abnormalities. This condition is poorly described in dogs.

Objectives: To document presenting complaints, examination findings, endocrinopathies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), treatments, and outcomes of dogs with pituitary apoplexy.

Novel subcutaneous cytarabine infusion with the Omnipod system in dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and pharmacokinetics of cytarabine delivery as a subcutaneous continuous-rate infusion with the Omnipod system.

Animals: 6 client-owned dogs diagnosed with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology were enrolled through the North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital.

Procedures: Cytarabine was delivered at a rate of 50 mg/m2/hour as an SC continuous-rate infusion over 8 hours using the Omnipod system.

Inter-pathologist agreement on diagnosis, classification and grading of canine glioma.

Histopathological evaluation of tumours is a subjective process, but studies of inter-pathologist agreement are uncommon in veterinary medicine. The Comparative Brain Tumour Consortium (CBTC) recently published diagnostic criteria for canine gliomas. Our objective was to assess the degree of inter-pathologist agreement on intracranial canine gliomas, utilising the CBTC diagnostic criteria in a cohort of eighty-five samples from dogs with an archival diagnosis of intracranial glioma.

Using OPM-MEG in contrasting magnetic environments.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has been revolutionised by optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). "OPM-MEG" offers higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution, and lower cost than conventional instrumentation based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). Moreover, because OPMs are small, lightweight, and portable they offer the possibility of lifespan compliance and (with control of background field) motion robustness, dramatically expanding the range of MEG applications.

High-field MRI using standard pulse sequences has moderate to substantial interobserver agreement and good accuracy for differentiation between intracranial extra-axial histiocytic sarcoma and meningioma in dogs.

Intracranial extra-axial histiocytic sarcoma shares common MRI features with meningioma. As histiocytic sarcoma carries a generally worse prognosis than meningioma, the ability to differentiate between these two neoplasms is of clinical value. The aim of this retrospective diagnostic accuracy and observer agreement study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of high-field MRI to differentiate between these two tumors, using standard pulse sequences and published MRI features.

Subaxial cervical articular process subluxation and dislocation: Cervical locked facet injuries in dogs.

Objective: To describe neurologic signs, diagnostic imaging findings, potential treatments, and outcomes in dogs with subaxial cervical articular process subluxation and dislocation, or a "locked facet."

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Ten client-owned dogs.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of immune cell infiltration in canine gliomas.

Evasion of the immune response is an integral part of the pathogenesis of glioma. In humans, important mechanisms of immune evasion include recruitment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and polarization of macrophages toward an M2 phenotype. Canine glioma has a robust immune cell infiltrate that has not been extensively characterized.

Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with neoplastic or inflammatory central nervous system disorders.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key molecular driver of angiogenesis and vascular permeability and is expressed by a wide variety of neoplasms. Although blood VEGF concentrations have been quantified in intracranial tumors of dogs, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) VEGF concentration might be a more sensitive biomarker of disease.

Objective: Concentrations of VEGF in CSF are higher in dogs with central nervous system (CNS) neoplasia compared to those with meningoencephalomyelitis and other neurologic disorders.

The bioavailability of cytarabine in dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology through iontophoresis and rectal delivery.

Background: Cytarabine (CA) is used to treat dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) by subcutaneous or intravenous administration.

Aim: The objective was to investigate transdermal iontophoresis and rectal administration as alternative routes of CA delivery.

Methods: Two client-owned dogs with MUE were studied.

Use of Top Hat Audience Response Software in a Third-Year Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Course.

Audience response devices are useful tools that can improve student engagement and learning during instructional sessions. The purpose of this article is to describe our experience with a new cloud-based application known as Top Hat, which includes audience response tools in its application suite. The software was used in a multi-specialty, multi-instructor medicine and surgery course in the third year of a veterinary curriculum.

Personalized-induced neural stem cell therapy: Generation, transplant, and safety in a large animal model.

In this study, we take an important step toward clinical translation by generating the first canine-induced neural stem cells (iNSCs). We explore key aspects of scale-up, persistence, and safety of personalized iNSC therapy in autologous canine surgery models. iNSCs are a promising new approach to treat aggressive cancers of the brain, including the deadly glioblastoma.

Accuracy of three-dimensionally printed animal-specific drill guides for implant placement in canine thoracic vertebrae: A cadaveric study.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of three-dimensionally (3-D) printed drill guides in constraining the trajectory of drill tracts for implants in canine thoracic vertebrae.

Study Design: Experimental ex vivo study.

Sample Population: Five canine thoracic vertebral column specimens.

Accuracy and safety of three-dimensionally printed animal-specific drill guides for thoracolumbar vertebral column instrumentation in dogs: Bilateral and unilateral designs.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and accuracy of a unilateral three-dimensionally printed animal-specific drill guide (3DASDG) design for unilateral stabilization in the thoracolumbar vertebral column of dogs compared to a bilateral design.

Study Design: Cadaveric study.

Sample Population: Fifty-two corridors in one canine cadaver.

Continuous rate infusion of midazolam as emergent treatment for seizures in dogs.

Background: Midazolam delivered by continuous rate infusion (CRI) might be effective in dogs with cluster seizures (CS) or status epilepticus (SE).

Objective: To describe the use and safety of midazolam CRI in dogs with CS or SE.

Animals: One-hundred six client-owned dogs presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital with CS or SE.

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentrations in dogs with seizure disorders.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate concentrations increase after seizure activity in many human patients independent of the underlying disease process. The effect of seizure activity on CSF lactate concentration in dogs is unknown.

Hypothesis/objectives: Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentration is unaffected by seizure activity in dogs and is more dependent on the underlying disease process causing the seizures.

Traumatic skull fractures in dogs and cats: A comparative analysis of neurological and computed tomographic features.

Background: Traumatic skull fractures (TSF) are relatively frequent in dogs and cats, but little information is available regarding their clinical and imaging features.

Hypothesis/objectives: To describe the neurological and computed tomographic (CT) features of a large cohort of dogs and cats with TSF.

Animals: Ninety-one dogs and 95 cats with TSF identified on CT.

Influence of Duration of Injury on Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Acute Canine Spinal Cord Injury.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) quantifies microstructural lesion characteristics, but impact of the interval between spinal cord injury (SCI) and examination on imaging characteristics is unclear. Our objective was to investigate the impact of duration of injury on DTI indices in dogs with acute, spontaneous SCI from thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) and explore associations with clinical severity. Twenty-six dogs with acute thoracolumbar IVDH of variable severity who underwent DTI were included.

Association between anesthesia duration and outcome in dogs with surgically treated acute severe spinal cord injury caused by thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation.

Background: Retrospective research recently identified a possible relationship between duration of surgery and outcome in severely affected dogs treated surgically for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (TL-IVDH).

Hypothesis: That increased duration of surgery is associated with poorer outcome in dogs with absent pain perception treated surgically for TL-IVDH.

Animals: Two hundred ninety-seven paraplegic dogs with absent pain perception surgically treated for acute TL-IVDH.