Characterization of risk factors for early ambulation in paraplegic dogs with absent pain perception undergoing decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusions.

Background: Current literature warrants surgical decompression in paraplegic dogs with absent pain perception (APP), but the rate of ambulatory dogs with APP following thoracolumbar (TL) IVDE surgery in a clinical setting remains unknown. Furthermore, the outcome of paraplegic APP French Bulldogs (FBs) is anecdotally considered poor. The aims of this study were threefold within a large population of TL-IVDE paraplegic dogs with APP undergoing decompressive surgery: (1) to characterize early spontaneous pelvic limb movement and ambulation following surgery; (2) to identify risk factors for the recovery of ambulation; and (3) to compare the outcome of FBs and Dachshunds presenting with APP.

Case series: Cervical far-lateral and combined cervical far lateral/foraminal intervertebral disk extrusions in 10 dogs.

Far-lateral intervertebral disk extrusions (IVDEs) have been reported infrequently in dogs in veterinary literature, mostly affecting the caudal lumbar intervertebral disks. We describe the clinical findings, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, treatment, and outcome in 10 dogs with cervical far-lateral IVDEs. Patient databases of 3 small animal hospitals and 1 veterinary teleradiology service were retrospectively searched for patients in which imaging studies (CT or MRI) identified the presence of intervertebral disk material outside the limits of the intervertebral foramen.

Thoracolumbar hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion and intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs: Comparison of clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Thoracolumbar hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (TL-HNPE) is an increasingly recognised pathology with a substantial lack of literature describing its features. The aim of this retrospective case-control study was to analyse the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of dogs with TL-HNPE compared to dogs affected with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL-IVDE). Data from dogs diagnosed with TL-HNPE and TL-IVDE via MRI at two referral hospitals, were retrospectively collected and compared in terms of clinical signs and MRI features.

Granuloprival cerebellar cortical degeneration in a Yorkshire Terrier and Lagotto Romagnolo dog.

Granuloprival degeneration is an uncommon form of cerebellar cortical degeneration (CCD). A 3-month-old Yorkshire Terrier and a 7-month-old Lagotto Romagnolo dog were presented with a history of progressive cerebellar dysfunction including wide-based stance, cerebellar ataxia, intention tremors, and loss of menace response despite normal vision. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain identified marked diffuse decrease of the cerebellum size.

Incidence and clinical characterisation of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions in Basset Hounds compared with Dachshunds.

Background: The Basset Hound is the largest chondrodystrophic breed predisposed to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL-IVDE). However, literature describing this particular breed in terms of incidence, signalment, anatomical location, clinical severity and short-term outcome of TL-IVDE is lacking.

Methods: The medical histories of Dachshunds and Basset Hounds presenting to three neurology departments were retrospectively assessed.

Phenotypic and genetic aspects of hereditary ataxia in dogs.

Hereditary ataxias are a large group of neurodegenerative diseases that have cerebellar or spinocerebellar dysfunction as core feature, occurring as an isolated sign or as part of a syndrome. Based on neuropathology, this group of diseases has so far been classified into cerebellar cortical degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellar ataxias without substantial neurodegeneration, canine multiple system degeneration, and episodic ataxia. Several new hereditary ataxia syndromes are described, but most of these diseases have similar clinical signs and unspecific diagnostic findings, wherefore achieving a definitive diagnosis in these dogs is challenging.

Evaluation of two unilateral laryngoplasty techniques and their effect on arytenoid cartilage abduction in cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate two unilateral laryngoplasty (arytenoid lateralisation) techniques for use in the surgical management of laryngeal paralysis in cats.

Methods: Left cricoarytenoid abduction (lateralisation) was performed in 20 ex vivo cat larynges; 10 following complete cricoarytenoid disarticulation (group LAA-dis) and 10 following no cricoarytenoid disarticulation (group LAA-nodis). For both groups, left arytenoid abduction (LAA) was measured in the resting and postoperative larynges using image analysis software.

A TNR Frameshift Variant in Weimaraner Dogs with an Exercise-Induced Paroxysmal Movement Disorder.

Background: Some paroxysmal movement disorders remain without an identified genetic cause.

Objectives: The aim was to identify the causal genetic variant for a paroxysmal dystonia-ataxia syndrome in Weimaraner dogs.

Methods: Clinical and diagnostic investigations were performed.

Case report: Immune remission from generalized myasthenia gravis in a dog with a thymoma and cholangiocellular carcinoma.

A 9-year-old male neutered Cockapoo was presented with an acute and progressive history of exercise induced weakness involving all limbs, and bilateral decreased ability to blink. Investigations revealed generalized myasthenia gravis alongside the presence of a thymoma and a cholangiocellular carcinoma. Symptomatic treatment through pyridostigmine bromide was used to control clinical signs, and complete surgical removal of the thymoma and cholangiocellular carcinoma was performed.

Interobserver agreement of computed tomography in detecting calcified intervertebral discs in comparison with radiography in a population of 13 healthy British Dachshund dogs.

Background: The aims of this retrospective study were to estimate interobserver agreement in detecting disc calcification with computed tomography (CT) and to compare the number of calcified intervertebral discs identified on CT and radiography in healthy British Dachshund dogs that underwent a screening programme. The current screening programme uses radiography to identify calcified intervertebral discs.

Methods: Healthy Dachshunds aged between 2 and 5 years presenting for spinal radiography and CT as part of a disc scoring scheme were included.

The c.126C>A(p.(Cys42Ter)) SLC7A10 nonsense variant is a candidate causative variant for paradoxical pseudomyotonia in English Cocker and Springer Spaniels.

Paradoxical pseudomyotonia has previously been described in the English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) and English Springer Spaniel (ESS) breeds, without the identification of potentially causative variants. This disease is characterised by episodes of exercise-induced generalised myotonic-like muscle stiffness, phenotypically similar to congenital pseudomyotonia in cattle, and paramyotonia congenita and Brody disease in people. Four additional affected ESS dogs with paradoxical pseudomyotonia are described in this report, together with the identification of the autosomal recessive c.

Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of 24 dogs with bacterial meningitis or meningoencephalitis without empyema (2010-2020).

Background: Bacterial meningitis (BM) and meningoencephalitis (BMEM) are associated with high case fatality rates and neurologic sequelae in people, but limited data exists on outcome in dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: To report the clinicopathologic features, treatment and outcome of BM/BMEM in dogs, with a focus on clinical presentation, relapse and long-term neurological deficits.

Animals: Twenty-four client-owned dogs diagnosed with BM/BMEM without empyema.

Computed tomography features of discospondylitis in dogs.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) findings of dogs with discospondylitis have not been widely described despite increased availability of this imaging modality.

Objectives: Describe the CT features of discospondylitis in a population of clinically affected dogs with discospondylitis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Animals: Forty-one dogs (63 affected discs) with MRI-identified discospondylitis presented to a single referral hospital between 2012 and 2022.

Approach to initial management of canine generalised epileptic seizures in primary-care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom.

Objectives: To investigate how primary care clinicians in the UK approach initial management of canine generalised epileptic seizures, including factors potentially associated with prescription and choice of anti-seizure drugs.

Materials And Methods: Electronic health records concerning 3,150,713 consultations (917,373 dogs) were collected from 224 veterinary practices by the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network. Free-text clinical narratives were reviewed to identify those consistent with generalised epileptic seizure activity, including only those recording the first presentation for seizures.

Idiopathic generalised tremor syndrome in dogs.

Background: Idiopathic generalised tremor syndrome (IGTS) causes tremor and often vestibulocerebellar signs. Previous publications on IGTS in dogs are restricted to case reports or lack exclusion of structural causes.

Methods: Medical records of 75 dogs diagnosed with IGTS that had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were collected retrospectively.

Vertebral vascular canal dysplasia in French and English Bulldogs: Clinical, CT, and MRI characteristics and prevalence.

The authors have observed a vertebral anomaly in French and English Bulldogs and termed this anomaly "vertebral vascular canal dysplasia (VVCD)." No previously published descriptions of this anomaly were found. The aims of this retrospective, multi-institutional, observational study were to (1) describe the clinical, CT, and MRI characteristics of VVCD, and (2) estimate the prevalence and describe the characteristics of VVCD in a group of French and English Bulldogs.

Serum anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies are biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

Objectives: A previous single-country pilot study indicated serum anti-GM2 and anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies as potential biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. This study aims to validate these findings in a large geographically heterogenous cohort.

Materials And Methods: Sera from 175 dogs clinically diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis, 112 dogs with other peripheral nerve, cranial nerve or neuromuscular disorders and 226 neurologically normal dogs were screened for anti-glycolipid antibodies against 11 common glycolipid targets to determine the immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

Phenotypic characterisation of paroxysmal dyskinesia in Sphynx cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the phenotypic features of a paroxysmal dyskinesia observed in Sphynx cats.

Methods: The owners of affected Sphynx cats were invited to provide video footage of abnormal episodes for review. Those that demonstrated episodes consistent with paroxysmal dyskinesia were then invited to complete an online questionnaire designed to allow further characterisation.