Bromide: the good, the bad, and the ugly of the oldest antiseizure medication.

Bromide is the first effective antiseizure medication used in human medicine since the XIX century. Initially met with skepticism, bromide quickly gained enthusiasm within the medical field until being largely replaced by newer antiseizure medications with significantly fewer adverse effects in people. In veterinary medicine, bromide continues to be used in the management of epileptic patients for over 30 years, yet adverse effects can impact owners and patients alike.

Clinical features, treatment, and outcome of juvenile dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology.

Background: The information relating to the outcome specifically for juvenile dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) is lacking.

Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome in a cohort of dogs with MUE <52 weeks old.

Animals: Thirty-four client-owned dogs.

Dorsal laminectomy for the treatment of lateralised cervical intervertebral disc extrusions in dogs-Prognosis and complications.

Objective: Describe the complication rate, expected hospitalization time and prognosis associated with dorsal laminectomy for the treatment of lateralised cervical intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) in dogs.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective case series study. Databases were reviewed from 2012 to 2022 for dogs that had a dorsal laminectomy to treat a lateralised cervical IVDE.

Outcomes of surgically and conservatively managed thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc herniations in cats.

Background: Limited information is available regarding intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) and its treatment in cats.

Objectives: Describe outcomes after surgical or conservative treatment of cats with thoracolumbar and lumbosacral IVDH.

Animals: Ninety-two cats from 2 referral populations (2012-2022) with compressive IVDH between the T3 and S1 vertebrae.

Accuracy of low-field magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating intervertebral disc extrusions and protrusions at the lumbosacral disc space in dogs.

Introduction/purpose: MRI features differentiating extrusion from protrusion in thoracolumbar discs have been published, however little specifically evaluates the lumbosacral disc. The high prevalence of degenerative changes in apparently normal animals complicates assessment of this region and features relevant elsewhere in the spine may not apply. The aims of this study were to determine the accuracy of MRI in differentiating IVDE and IVDP at the lumbosacral disc space in dogs and determine which MRI characteristics discriminate between IVDE and IVDP.

Intrathecal chemotherapy for the management of lymphoblastic lymphoma in a 4-year-old dog: a case report.

Intrathecal chemotherapy is used in human medicine for the treatment or prophylaxis of CNS hematopoietic neoplasia. However, the clinical benefits in veterinary medicine have been scarcely documented. A 4-year-old male entire cross-breed dog presented with a 24-h history of severe lethargy, pelvic limb weakness, and urinary retention.

The Olfactory Bulb in Companion Animals-Anatomy, Physiology, and Clinical Importance.

The Olfactory Bulb is a component of the Olfactory System, in which it plays an essential role as an interface between the peripheral components and the cerebral cortex responsible for olfactory interpretation and discrimination. It is in this element that the first selective integration of olfactory stimuli occurs through a complex cell interaction that forwards the received olfactory information to higher cortical centers. Considering its position in the organizational hierarchy of the olfactory system, it is now known that changes in the Olfactory Bulb can lead to olfactory abnormalities.

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.

Long-lasting otic medications may be a rare cause of neurogenic keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs.

Objective: To characterize the clinical course and long-term prognosis of a suspected novel cause of neurogenic keratoconjunctivitis sicca (nKCS) secondary to florfenicol, terbinafine hydrochloride, mometasone furoate (Claro and Neptra) or florfenicol, terbinafine, betamethasone acetate (Osurnia).

Animals: 29 client-owned dogs.

Procedures: Online survey and word-of-mouth recruitment were conducted to identify dogs that developed clinical signs of nKCS after application of otitis externa medication containing terbinafine and florfenicol.

Lumbar intervertebral foraminal disc extrusion in a cat.

Case Summary: A 10-year-old domestic longhair cat was presented for investigations into a 4-day history of acute-onset lethargy, hyporexia and right pelvic limb lameness. Based upon the neurological examination, a right femoral nerve localisation was suspected. Pelvic radiographs identified a dorsally displaced L5-L6 intervertebral disc, with subsequent MRI suggestive of a right L5-L6 neuritis secondary foraminal intervertebral disc extrusion.

Retrospective Preliminary Assessment of Routine Follow-Up Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Dogs Presumptively Diagnosed With Discospondylitis.

Background: The usefulness of routine follow-up Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI-2) in asymptomatic dogs treated for discospondylitis is unknown.

Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study investigated the features of MRI-2 in a heterogeneous group of dogs treated for discospondylitis, and if these were associated with the presence or absence of clinical signs. After comparing initial MRI (MRI-1) and MRI-2, an observer, blinded to the dog's clinical signs, described the MRI-2 findings.

Clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and outcome of dogs undergoing surgical resection for intracranial meningioma: 101 dogs.

Background: Meningioma is the most common primary brain neoplasm in dogs. Further information is required regarding the expected long-term prognosis of dogs following the surgical resection of an intracranial meningioma together with the influence of adjunctive therapies. Whilst there have been several studies reporting the long-term outcome of intracranial meningioma resection following surgery alone, surgery with the use of an ultrasonic aspirator, surgery combined with radiotherapy and surgery combined with the addition of hydroxyurea, it is currently unclear which type of adjunctive therapy is associated with the most favourable outcomes.

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of multifocal vertebral lesions in dogs.

Background: There is a lack of information regarding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of polyostotic vertebral lesions in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify and differenciate low-field MRI features of aggressive versus benign multifocal vertebral diseases in dogs.

Methods: MRI examinations from 49 dogs with polyostotic vertebral lesions were reviewed.

Feline temporal lobe epilepsy: seven cases of hippocampal and piriform lobe necrosis in England and literature review.

Case Series Summary: Seven cases of feline hippocampal and piriform lobe necrosis (FHN) are described, with particular emphasis on clinical, radiographic and histopathological correlations. FHN is an uncommon acute epileptic condition resembling human autoimmune limbic encephalitis and temporal lobe epilepsy. Seizures are typically focal and feature uni- or bilateral orofacial or head twitching, hypersalivation, lip smacking, mydriasis, vocalisation and motionless staring, with inter-ictal behavioural changes such as unprovoked aggression and rapid running.

MRI Features of Solitary Vertebral Masses in Dogs: 20 Cases (2010-2019).

The objective of the study was to describe the MRI features of cytologically or histologically diagnosed solitary vertebral masses in dogs and identify potential MRI features enabling differentiation between malignant and benign lesions. Patients were divided into malignant and benign groups according to the final diagnosis. Medical records and MRI studies were retrospectively reviewed, and specific imaging features were compared.

Serum C-reactive protein in dogs with paraplegia secondary to acute intervertebral disc extrusion.

Background: Apart from the absence of nociception, there is no readily available prognostic test for dogs presenting with paraplegia secondary to acute intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE).

Objective: To assess if serum C-reactive protein (CRP) can predict the postoperative outcome in paraplegic dogs undergoing surgery for IVDE and to assess the association between serum CRP and presence/absence of nociception on admission, and serum CRP and presence/absence of intramedullary changes seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Animals: One hundred dogs that underwent surgery at our hospital between 2018 and 2020 because of acute paraplegia secondary to IVDE and in which serum CRP was measured.

Dexamethasone Can Be Safely and Effectively Used for Treatment of Masticatory Muscle Myositis in Dogs.

Dexamethasone is the glucocorticoid of choice in many human inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions, given its reported effectiveness and limited side effect profile. In veterinary medicine, the glucocorticoid of choice is prednisone, however the safety of longer-term use of dexamethasone has not previously been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, effectiveness and side effects of dexamethasone use as the glucocorticoid treatment for masticatory muscle myositis in dogs - an immune-mediated inflammatory condition.

Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in 18 Dogs With Presumed Optic Neuritis.

Canine optic neuritis has been attributed to a focal or disseminated form of granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) amongst other etiologies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proven to help differentiate the structures within the optic nerve sheath and therefore could aid the diagnosis of optic neuritis in dogs. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare the MRI abnormalities affecting the optic nerve sheath complex and optic chiasm in dogs with clinically suspected optic neuritis as a component of meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) or as an isolated form (I-ON).

Monocular Nystagmus Representing Heimann - Bielschowsky Phenomenon in a Dog With Ipsilateral Vision Loss.

A 6-year-old female-neutered vaccinated Cocker Spaniel presented for preadoption neurological evaluation due to abnormal left-eye movements that had been noticed since young age. Clinical examination revealed left-eye cataract with a nonvisible left and a normal right retina on ophthalmoscopy. Neurological examination revealed absent left-sided menace response and cataract-related ipsilateral visual impairment, and intermittent left-sided abnormal eye movements consisted of intermittent, slow, coarse, variable amplitude, vertical movements of the eye that they were giving the impression of random movements of the eye within the globe as it was floating ("wandering" eye) interchangeable with periods of rest.

Convergence-Retraction Nystagmus in a Dog With Presumptive Ischemic Encephalopathy Following Acute Cervicothoracic Myelopathy.

A 6.5-year-old male neutered Trailhound was admitted for hyperacute, nonprogressive, left-sided hemiparesis. Physical and neurologic examination revealed nonpainful, left-sided poorly ambulatory hemiparesis, decreased left-sided postural reactions and thoracic limbs hyporeflexia.

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.

Neurological abnormalities in 97 dogs with detectable pituitary masses.

Pituitary tumours are common neoplasms of the sellar region in small animals. However, detailed information regarding the spectrum and severity of possible neurological signs are lacking. To retrospectively describe the neurological abnormalities in a population of dogs with a detectable pituitary mass (DPM) and relate them with the size of the mass and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of brain compression (BC).

Short- and long-term outcome and magnetic resonance imaging findings after surgical treatment of thoracolumbar spinal arachnoid diverticula in 25 Pugs.

Background: There is a successful outcome after surgical management of spinal arachnoid diverticula (SAD) in up to 82% of cases.

Hypothesis/objectives: We hypothesized that Pugs have favorable short-term and poor long-term prognosis after surgical treatment of thoracolumbar SAD. The aim of the present investigation was to describe clinical findings, short- and long-term outcomes, and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in Pugs with thoracolumbar SAD.