Eosinophilic Meningomyelitis Probably Associated with Toxoplasmosis in a Cat

 Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2021. 49(Suppl 1): 725.

LINK

Giselle de Lima Bernardes, Mônica Vicky Bahr Arias, Carolina Aparecida Milhorine & Karina Keller Marques da Costa Flaiban

 Abstract

Background: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of healthy cats presents up to 5 cells/µL, with predominance of mononuclear cells and the presence of more than 1% eosinophils is rare and should always be considered an abnormal finding. There is no consensus on the term eosinophilic pleocytosis, as it is used to indicate the presence of more than 10 eosinophils/µL or more than 10% of the total neutrophils. The increase in eosinophils in the CSF may result from infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic and idiopathic diseases. The objective of this paper is to report a case of marked pleocytosis in CSF, with 84% eosinophils, probably due to toxoplasmosis, in a cat with paraparesis and diffuse spinal pain.

Case: A mixed breed female cat, neutered, adult and domiciled in a rural area was presented due to gait abnormalities in the pelvic limbs that started one day before presentation. The general physical examination was unremarkable. On neurological examination it was observed asymmetric deficit of postural reactions in pelvic limbs, patellar reflex normal to increased and pain elicited on palpation of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Based on these findings, the neurological syndrome was classified as thoracolumbar, but with diffuse pain, and the main differential diagnoses were inflammatory/infectious and neoplastic diseases. The leukogram showed eosinophilia and the serum biochemistry showed no significant changes. Serological assays for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus were negative. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified marked pleocytosis with 84% eosinophils and increase in protein concentration. Myelography showed no compressive or expansive changes. Fungal culture for CSF cryptococcosis was negative. Serum immunofluorescence antibody titer for Toxoplasma gondii (IgG) was 1:256. There was a marked improvement after treatment with sulfametoxazole/trimethoprim and pyrimethamine and after 3 weeks of treatment, there was almost complete recovery of neurological signs and after 9 months the cat was neurologically normal.

Discussion: The most common causes of acute-onset thoracolumbar spinal cord syndrome in cats, with diffuse pain on spinal palpation, are meningomyelitis of inflammatory/infectious origin, such as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and neoplasms such as lymphoma. Other meningomyelitis of inflammatory origin, such as infectious and immune-mediated meningomyelitis of unknown origin are considered uncommon in cats. Although the clinical, systemic and neurological signs of FIP and toxoplasmosis may have similarities, in the present case FIP was not considered responsible for the observed signs, as the evolution of the case and the analysis of the CSF tend to be different. The peripheral eosinophilia, the cytological analysis of the CSF, characterized by marked eosinophilic pleocytosis, associated with a positive titer for toxoplasmosis, good response to treatment and improvement in the neurological condition, with survival for more than 9 months after treatment, rules out the possibility of FIP. Neurological signs observed in the absence of systemic signs are more common in cases of protozoan reactivation, which probably occurred in the present case. The possibility of toxoplasmosis in the patient in this report was reinforced by the fact that the animal came from a rural area. Eosinophilia of CSF is most commonly associated with parasitic infections, although it can be caused by a variety of infectious agents, but in the cat of the present report, the marked eosinophilic pleocytosis was likely due to toxoplasmosis, which is a rare occurrence in this specie. In conclusion, toxoplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal spinal cord lesions in cats. The identification of laboratory findings as well as the appropriate therapy favored the good evolution of the condition.

Axis Dorsal Laminotomy for Excision of a Meningioma in a Dog

 Laminotomia dorsal do áxis para excisão de meningioma em cão

Rafaeli Madureira Pereira , Renato Tavares Conceição & Mônica Vicky Bahr Arias

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2020. 48(Suppl 1): 550

Link

https://www.seer.ufrgs.br/ActaScientiaeVeterinariae/article/viewFile/102660/pdf

ABSTRACT 

Background: Surgical access to the spinal cord at the level of C2 vertebra presents technical limitations, due to anatomical particularities in this region. The ventral slot technique does not allow space for the removal of dorsolateral masses. The axis hemilaminectomy technique provides limited access to the dorsal aspect of spinal cord and there is a risk of damaging the vertebral arteries. The axis dorsal laminotomy technique allows good access to spinal cord and preserves the atlantoaxial and nuchal ligaments, however few papers describe this technique. The objective of this paper is to report the axis dorsal laminotomy performed in a dog with a meningioma at this level. 

Case: An 11-year-old male, Maltese dog, was presented with a 15-day history of progressive weakness, intense cervical pain and difficulty in locomotion of the four limbs. He was being treated with painkillers without improvement. On clinical examination, the physiological parameters were normal. Neurological examination showed tetraparesis with the syndrome localized in the cranial cervical region. The main differential diagnoses were intervertebral disc disease, neoplasia, inflammatory or infectious disease. Computed tomography was performed and the evaluation of images allowed the visualization of an intradural-extramedullary neoplastic process, promoting important spinal compression, with approximate dimensions of the lesion 0.70 cm high x 0.67 cm wide x 0.78 cm long, with apparent involvement of the meninges, with a more lateralized location on the left, with meningioma being the main differential diagnosis. Thus, exploratory surgery, through the technique of dorsal laminotomy of the axis was performed. After the removal of the mass, the spinous process was repositioned in its anatomical location and fixed with 0.6 mm steel cerclage wire that was passed through the holes made in the dorsal lamina of the axis. After the surgery a neck brace was kept for 45 days. According to the histological changes observed, the neoplasm was classified as grade one meningothelial meningioma. The patient showed gradual improvement and started walking again 4 days after the surgery, staying well and without pain for 5 months, when there was a recurrence of the neoplasia. 

Discussion: Surgical access to the cervical region in question is limited due to the presence of complex ligamentous structures, vascular network and the anatomical features of the first and second cervical vertebrae. Thus, the dorsal axis laminotomy technique was used. The approach allowed good visualization of the spinal canal as well as the preservation of the atlantoaxial ligament, maintaining atlantoaxial stability. Through histopathological analysis, the neoplasm was classified as grade I meningothelial, which is considered a benign meningioma, but its behavior is considered malignant due to the compression of the spinal cord and the impossibility of removal with surgical margins, as recommended for oncological surgeries. The patient’s survival after surgical treatment is in accordance with that described by other authors which varies from 2.2 to 47 months. Radiotherapy seems to improve the prognosis, but this therapeutic modality is not easily available in the country. There is also insufficient information on the use of chemotherapy for this type of neoplasia, or on the relationship between tumor graduation and survival. The surgery was proposed in order to confirm the suspicion, decompress the spinal cord and collect material for biopsy; the technique performed is feasible and no intraoperative complications have occurred.

Desenvolvimento de um protótipo de cage intervertebral lombossacro para cães

 Development of a lumbosacral intervertebral cage prototype for dogs

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 40(7):546-553

Raíra C. Dias , Ana Carolina Tsatsakis & Mônica V. Bahr Arias

LINK

RESUMO

Vários procedimentos cirúrgicos visam descomprimir e/ou estabilizar a articulação lombossacra (LS) de cães; no entanto, a técnica de fusão lombar, usando um cage intersomático combinado com um enxerto ósseo, é a mais indicada e utilizada na medicina humana. Não há implante específico disponível para aplicação na articulação lombossacra canina. Assim, neste estudo foi realizada a mensuração do espaço do disco intervertebral lombossacro de cães de raças grandes, para verificar se algum modelo de cage usado na medicina humana poderia ser usado no espaço intervertebral L7-S1 de cães. O segundo objetivo foi desenvolver um protótipo de cage lombossacro para cães. Foram utilizadas dez colunas lombossacras provenientes de cadáveres de cães adultos com peso entre 20 e 35kg. Os cães vieram a óbito por razões não relacionadas a este estudo. As dimensões do corpo vertebral e o espaço intervertebral L7-S1 ocupado pelo disco intervertebral foram medidos por radiografias laterais e ventrodorsais e por tomografia computadorizada nos cortes dorsal, sagital e transversal. Também foram realizadas mensurações das peças anatômicas nos planos sagital e transversal. Após a mensuração dos discos intervertebrais, foram obtidas as seguintes medidas médias dos discos L7-S1: altura 12,23mm, espessura dorsal 3,3mm, espessura central 4mm, espessura ventral 5,5mm e largura 24,74mm. Os modelos de cage lombar humano das marcas LDR, Baumer Orthopaedics, Stryker, Synthes e Vertebral Technologies, Inc. não possuíam dimensões adequadas para os cães. Cages de estabilização cervical das marcas B-Braun e Stryker também foram avaliados e apresentaram medidas semelhantes às encontradas neste estudo; no entanto, devido à sua forma quadrangular, a possibilidade de serem introduzidos cirurgicamente através das abordagens disponíveis para a articulação entre L7-S1 em cães sem lesionar a cauda equina ou a raiz L7 é pequena. Um modelo de cage foi então desenvolvido usando-se o software de modelagem 3D. Foi projetado para inserção via laminectomia dorsal nas porções laterais do espaço intervertebral. Para evitar a lesão da cauda equina, o modelo de implante foi desenvolvido para ser colocado lateralmente à linha média. A superfície do cage é serrilhada para evitar o uso do parafuso de travamento, evitando-se lesões adicionais às estruturas nervosas. As superfícies serrilhadas também foram projetadas para evitar a migração do cage e promover estabilidade. O protótipo permite a colocação do enxerto no espaço intervertebral circundante, fundamental para a fusão através da integração entre o cage e as placas vertebrais terminais, bem como para o crescimento ósseo entre e ao redor do implante. Também foram considerados estudos em seres humanos que mostraram que as regiões laterais das placas vertebrais terminais suportam uma carga maior. São necessários estudos biomecânicos e in vivo do modelo desenvolvido para avaliar o grau real de distração, mobilidade e a taxa de fusão a longo prazo entre L7 e S1 e seu possível impacto nas unidades motoras adjacentes, quando combinado ou não com técnicas de fixação dorsal.

ABSTRACT

Several surgical procedures aim to decompress and/or stabilize the lumbosacral (LS) joint of dogs; however, the lumbar interbody fusion technique, by using a cage combined with a bone graft, is the most indicated and used in human medicine. No specific implant is available for application to the canine lumbosacral joint. Thus, this study measured lumbosacral discs in large dogs, determined whether a human cage model could fit the dogs’ L7-S1 intervertebral space, and developed a LS cage prototype for dogs. Ten cadaveric lumbosacral spines from adult dog weighing 20-35kg were used. The dogs had died for reasons unrelated to this study. The vertebral body dimensions and the L7-S1 intervertebral space occupied by the intervertebral disc were measured by lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs and by computed tomography in the dorsal, sagittal, and transverse views. Measurements were also taken of the anatomical specimens in the sagittal and transverse planes. After measuring the intervertebral discs, the following mean measures were obtained for L7-S1 discs: height 12.23mm, dorsal thickness 3.3mm, central thickness 4mm, ventral thickness 5.5mm, and width 24.74mm. The human lumbar cage models from brands LDR, Baumer Orthopedics, Stryker, Synthes, and Vertebral Technologies, Inc. and cervical stabilization cages from the brands B-Braun and Stryker were evaluated and were found to be unsuitable for large dogs. Cervical human cages had measurements similar to those found in this study; however, due to their quadrangular shape, the possibility of being introduced surgically through the surgical accesses available for the articulation between L7-S1 in dogs without injuring the cauda equina or the L7 root is small. A cage model was then developed using 3D modelling software. It was designed for insertion via dorsal laminectomy in the lateral portions of the intervertebral space. To avoid cauda equina lesion, the implant model was developed to be placed laterally to the midline. The cage surface is serrated to prevent using the locking screw to fix it, thus avoiding further injury to nerve structures. The serrated surfaces are also designed to avoid cage migration and promote stability. The prototype allows graft placement in the surrounding intervertebral space, which is fundamental for fusion through integration between the cage and the endplates as well as for bone growth between and around the cage. It was also considered studies on humans showing that the lateral regions of the endplates support a more considerable load. Biomechanical and in vivo studies on the developed model are necessary to evaluate the actual degree of distraction, mobility and the long-term rate of fusion between L7 and S1 and its possible impact on the adjacent motor units, combined or not with dorsal fixation techniques.

Long-term clinical complications associated with the use of polymethyl methacrylate in spinal stabilization of dogs and cats: case series

Semina: Ciências Agrárias, Londrina, v. 41, n. 5, suplemento 1, p. 2453-2462, 2020

LINK

Gabriel Antonio Covino Diamante, Paulo Vinicius Tertuliano Marinho, Isis dos Santos Dal-Bó, Thales Bregadioli, Fernanda Paes, Renato Otaviano Do Rego, Bianca Fiuza Monteiro, Viviane Sanchez Galeazzi, Aline Schafrum Macedo, Cássio Ricardo Auada Ferrigno

Abstract

Vertebral and spinal cord trauma are common conditions in small animal practice and often result in vertebral fractures/luxation (VFL) with concomitant spinal cord laceration, concussion, compression, or ischemia. These lesions have several clinical presentations that may vary from moderate to severe pain and partial to total loss of motor, sensory, and visceral functions, which may result in death or euthanasia. Our purpose is to describe five cases (four dogs and one cat) of complications secondary to the use of bone cement for vertebral stabilization. The patients, between five months and four years of age and weighing between 1.4 and 12.2 kg, were referred to the Small Animal Orthopedics and Traumatology Service of the Veterinary Hospital of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo. They had a history of post-operatory polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) reactions (such as drainage or cement exposure due to infection or implant failure) in periods from 9 to 18 months after undergoing spinal osteosynthesis. Surgical implant removal occurred in 80% of the patients (4/5). Complete remission was not observed in the patient with residual implants. The association of pins/screws and PMMA is a versatile osteosynthesis technique and is applicable in all spinal regions. However, delayed complications can occur, which could require additional surgical procedures. Despite the small number of cases included in this study, one can infer that complications related to the use of bone cement in spinal surgery can occur in the long term and should be highlighted during the implant choosing process for vertebral osteosynthesis in small animals.

RESUMO

O trauma vertebromedular é uma afecção comum na rotina clínica de pequenos animais e resulta, muitas vezes, em fraturas e luxações vertebrais (FLV) associadas à laceração, concussão, compressão ou isquemia da medula espinhal. Essas lesões apresentam sinais clínicos que variam de dor moderada a grave, acompanhada por perda parcial ou total das funções motoras, sensoriais e viscerais, podendo resultar no óbito ou na indicação de eutanásia. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever cinco casos de complicações inerentes o uso de cimento ósseo para estabilização vertebral em quatro cães e um gato. Os pacientes possuíam idades variando entre cinco meses a quatro anos, peso entre 1,4 e 12,2kg e foram atendidos no Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, com histórico de reações cutâneas ao polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA), como tratos drenantes ou exposição do cimento decorrente de infecção ou soltura precoce do implante, em períodos que variaram de nove à 18 meses após serem submetidos a osteossíntese da coluna vertebral. Foi realizada a remoção cirúrgica desses implantes em quatro pacientes e mantida a estabilização prévia em um caso. Houve resolução total do quadro de infecção nos pacientes em que se removeu o PMMA associada ao tratamento clínico, e remissão parcial no paciente em que o implante não pode ser removido. A utilização do cimento ósseo associado a parafusos ou pinos é uma técnica versátil e aplicável em todas as regiões da coluna vertebral, no entanto complicações tardias são possíveis, sendo necessário muitas vezes procedimentos cirúrgicos adicionais para a resolução do problema. Apesar da pequena quantidade de casos relatados, foi possível observar que complicações relacionadas ao uso do cimento ósseo na coluna vertebral podem ocorrer no médio ao longo prazo e devem ser consideradas no processo de escolha dos implantes para osteossíntese vertebral em pequenos animais

Ex-vivo evaluation of the three-column concept in canine thoracolumbar fractures

LINK

G.A.C. Diamante, P.V.T. Marinho, C.C. Zani,  M.V. Bahr Arias

Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec., v.72, n.4, p.1221-1230, 2020 

ABSTRACT  

Traumatic events such as a motor vehicle accident or falling from heights are very common in veterinary medicine and often lead to vertebral fracture-luxation with concomitant spinal cord injuries, mostly in the thoracolumbar spine. The purpose of this cadaveric biomechanical study was to determine the feasibility of the three-column concept in canine thoracolumbar segments with induced fractures. Eighteen Functional Spinal Units (FSU) of the thoracolumbar segments (T12-L2) were collected from 18 medium-sized adult dog cadavers and were subjected to flexion-extension and  lateral bending tests so that  range of motion (ROM)  was recorded  with a  goniometer. Fractures  were induced  by  compressive loads  applied by  a universal testing machine (EMIC®). After this, specimens were screened using computed tomography (CT) and the fractures were graded as affecting one, two or three columns, and divided into groups A, B, and C, respectively. Post-fracture range of motion (ROM) was compared with the previous results. Groups B and C (with fractures in two or three columns) had instability in the two axes evaluated (P<0.05). The outcomes of this study support the applicability of the three-column theory to thoracolumbar spines of dogs, as the FSUs that suffered fractures in two or more columns showed axial instability. 

RESUMO

Eventos  traumáticos,  como  acidentes  automobilísticos  ou  quedas,  são  muito  comuns  na  medicina veterinária e,  frequentemente, levam  a fraturas  ou luxações vertebrais,  associadas a lesões medulares concomitantes, mais frequentemente na coluna toracolombar. O propósito deste estudo biomecânico em cadáveres  foi  determinar a  viabilidade  da  teoria dos  três compartimentos  em  fraturas induzidas  em segmentos  toracolombares  de  cães.  Dezoito  unidades  espinhais  funcionais  (UEF)  de  segmentos toracolombares (T12-L2) foram coletadas de 18 cadáveres de cães adultos de médio porte e submetidas a testes  de  flexão-extensão  e  curvamento  lateral,  de modo  que  a  amplitude  de movimento  (ADM)  foi registrada com um goniômetro. Fraturas foram induzidas por meio de cargas compressivas aplicadas por uma máquina universal de ensaios (EMIC®). As amostras foram submetidas à tomografia computadorizada (TC), e as fraturas foram classificadas como afetando um, dois ou três compartimentos e divididas nos grupos A, B e C, respectivamente. A ADM pós-fratura foi comparada com os resultados prévios. Os grupos B e C (com fraturas em dois ou três compartimentos) apresentaram instabilidade nos dois eixos avaliados (P<0,05). Os resultados deste estudo corroboram a aplicabilidade da teoria dos três compartimentos para segmentos de coluna toracolombar em cães, uma vez que as UEF que sofreram as fraturas em dois ou mais compartimentos apresentaram instabilidade axial

[Tratamento clínico de cães com diagnóstico presuntivo de doença do disco intervertebral cervical: 78 casos (2006-2017)

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 40(3):176-180, March 2020

Clinical management of dogs with presumptive diagnosis of cervical intervertebral disc disease: 78 cases (2006-2017)

Raquel Baumhardt , Angel Ripplinger , Graciane Aiello , Marcelo L. Schwab , Denis A. Ferrarin , Mathias R. Wrzesinski , Samanta S. Moro and Alexandre Mazzanti


LINK PARA O ARTIGO


RESUMO

O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar cães com diagnóstico presuntivo de doença do disco intervertebral cervical (DDIV; C1-C5 ou C6-T2) submetidos ao tratamento clínico e avaliar a resposta a terapia instituída e o índice de recidiva. Esse estudo também visou demonstrar a idade, o gênero e a resposta ao tratamento de acordo com o grau neurológico, a fim de verificar se esses parâmetros podem ser utilizados como fatores prognósticos para a evolução clínica desses pacientes. Foram revisados os registros neurológicos do Hospital Veterinário Universitário de janeiro de 2006 a março de 2017. Realizaram coleta de dados a partir dos registros e por meio de um questionário respondido pelos tutores. Avaliaram 177 fichas neurológicas de cães e obtidas informações para inclusão no estudo em 78 delas. As raças mais frequentes foram Dachshunds, seguido dos cães sem raça definida. Quanto ao grau de disfunção neurológica, 58,97% apresentavam grau I (somente dor), 25,64% estavam em grau II (tetraparesia ambulatória) e 15,38% em grau III (tetraparesia não ambulatória). O repouso absoluto e em espaço restrito foram realizados em 75,64% e 24,36% dos casos, respectivamente e com duração de no mínimo uma semana, podendo chegar a mais de quatro semanas. A maioria dos animais era de pequeno porte (≤15kg). A recuperação foi satisfatória em 87,17% dos cães e insatisfatória em 12,83%. Quanto à recidiva, esta foi observada em 10,3% dos pacientes com recuperação satisfatória. O tratamento clínico para cães com DDIV cervical pode ser indicado com adequada resposta clínica para graus de disfunção que variam de I a III, seja em repouso absoluto ou em espaço restrito e com baixo índice de recidiva.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to identify dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of cervical intervertebral disc disease (IVDD; C1-C5 or C6-T2) submitted to clinical management and evaluate the outcome. This study also aimed to demonstrate the age, sex, and treatment response according to the neurological degree, and verify whether those factors could potentially influence the outcome. The data were obtained from patients with a neurological dysfunction, admitted at the Veterinary Hospital from January 2006 to March 2017. In addition to patient records, the tutors answered a questionnaire related to the success of therapy. A hundred and seventyseven neurological records were evaluated, and 78 were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. The most frequent breeds were Dachshunds, followed by mixed-breed dogs. Regarding the neurological dysfunction degree, 58.97% presented grade I (only neck pain), 25.64% were grade II (ambulatory tetraparesis), and 15.38% grade III (nonambulatory tetraparesis). Absolute and partial space rest were performed in 75.64% and 24.36% of the cases, respectively. The minimum rest time was one week and could come up to four weeks. Most dogs were small-sized (≤15kg). The recovery was satisfactory in 87.17% of dogs and unsatisfactory in 12.83%. Regarding recurrence, we observed that 10.3% of dogs presented satisfactory recovery. The clinical treatment for dogs with cervical IVDD can be indicated with adequate clinical response to dysfunction degrees ranging from I to III, either at rest or in restricted space and with a low rate of relapse.

Tratamento clínico de cães com diagnóstico presuntivo de doença do disco intervertebral toracolombar: 164 casos (2006-2017)

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 40(1):55-60, January 2020

Raquel Baumhardt , Angel Ripplinger , Graciane Aiello , Marcelo L. Schwab , Denis A. Ferrarin , Mathias R. Wrzesinski , Julia Rauber and Alexandre Mazzanti

Clinical management of dogs with presumptive diagnosis of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease: 164 cases (2006-2017)

LINK PARA O ARTIGO

RESUMO

 O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar cães com diagnóstico presuntivo de DDIV toracolombar submetidos ao tratamento clínico, a fim de avaliar a resposta à terapia instituída. Foram revisados os registros neurológicos  de cães atendidos pelo Serviço de Neurologia e Neurocirurgia Veterinária no período de 2006 a 2017 de um Hospital Veterinário Universitário. Foi realizada coleta de dados a partir dos registros e por meio de um questionário respondido pelos tutores. Foram avaliadas 413 fichas neurológicas de cães e obtidas informações para inclusão no estudo em 164 delas. As raças mais frequentes foram dachshunds, seguido de cães sem raça definida. Quanto ao grau de disfunção neurológica foi definido como grau I para 15,9% dos cães, grau II para 25,6%, grau III para 26,8%, grau IV para 8,5% e grau V para 23,2%. A recuperação foi satisfatória em 71,6% dos cães e insatisfatória em 28,4%. Dos que se recuperaram satisfatoriamente, 27,7% tiveram recidivas. Com base nos resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que o tratamento clínico em repouso absoluto e administração de anti-inflamatórios e analgésicos opióides para cães com DDIV toracolombar é efetivo, principalmente para cães em graus mais leves da doença (grau I, II e III). Há possibilidade de recidiva com esse tipo de terapia cujos sinais clínicos poderão ser mais graves.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to identify dogs with presumptive diagnosis of cervical intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) submitted to clinical management and to evaluate the outcomes. Data were obtained from the medical records of patients with neurological dysfunction assisted at a University Veterinary Hospital from 2006 to 2017. In addition to the patients’ records, dog owners responded to a questionnaire on the success of therapy. Four hundred and thirteen neurological records were evaluated, and 164 met the inclusion criteria of the study. The most common breed was Dachshund, followed by mongrels. Classification of neurological dysfunction in the study sample was as follows: 15.9% with grade I, 25.6% with grade II, 26.8% with grade III, 8.5% with grade IV, and 23.2% with grade V. Outcome was satisfactory in 71.6% of the dogs and unsatisfactory in 28.4% of them. Recurrence was observed in 27.7% of those with satisfactory outcomes. The clinical treatment of dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD is satisfactory, particularly for animals with milder disease grades (I, II, and III). There is possibility of recurrence with conservative therapy and clinical signs may be more severe

Terapia médica utilizando omeprazol em 12 cães hidrocefálicos: achados clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos

Medical therapy using omeprazole in 12 hydrocephalic dogs: clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic findings

Lidianne F. Pelegrini , Natalino F. Silva , Olga P.S. Campos , Clazielen C. Nery , Felipe M. Silva, Raquel S. Lemos, Kelly C.I. Yamauchi and Alexandre M. Amude


Pesq. Vet. Bras. 39(10):823-829, October 2019

Link para publicação

RESUMO

O omeprazol diminui a produção do fluido cerebrospinal (FCE) por cerca de 26% de acordo com estudos experimentais em cães saudáveis. Segundo o conhecimento dos autores, embora utilizado na prática clínica e recomendado em livros textos, não há até o momento estudos clínicos em um grupo substancial de animais avaliando a resposta terapêutica ao uso do omeprazol em pacientes enfermos, tais como cães hidrocefálicos sintomáticos. Este trabalho descreve os achados clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos em 12 cães com hidrocefalia que foram submetidos ao tratamento com omeprazol para o manejo médico de hidrocefalia. O diagnóstico de hidrocefalia e doenças neurológicas concomitantes foi realizado por ultrassonografia transcraniana (USTC) e/ou tomografia computadorizada. A mensuração do tamanho ventricular foi realizada pela USTC durante o tratamento médico. Seis cães foram diagnosticados com hidrocefalia não obstrutiva e os outros 6 casos apresentaram hidrofalia concomitante com outras afecções encefálicas anômalas comumente associada à hidrocefalia obstrutiva, tal como cisto quadrigêmio, cisto aracnóide, síndrome de chiari-like e seringomegalia. Em 10 cães o omeprazol foi utilizado como droga única e em 2 cães a terapia inicial foi a convencional utilizando esteroides e diuréticos, e o omeprazol foi adicionado, pois a resposta clínica a terapia convencional foi insatisfatória. Todos os animais obtiveram melhora dos parâmetros neurológicos e a maioria teve uma redução do tamanho ventricular após o uso do omeprazol. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que o omeprazol pode ser utilizado para melhorar o estado neurológico em cães com hidrocefalia. Este estudo representa a primeira descrição clínica usando o omeprazol para tratar uma série de cães com suspeita de aumento da pressão intracraniana devido à hidrocefalia, provavelmente pela capacidade do fármaco em limitar a produção do FCE.

ABSTRACT

According to experimental studies with healthy dogs, omeprazole might decrease the CSF production by about 26%; therefore, book texts have been suggested the usage of omeprazole in medical protocols for hydrocephalus treatment. However, to the best knowledge of the authors, the usage and medical response of the omeprazole with substantial group of illness dogs, such as hydrocephalic animals, was lacking. This report describes clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic findings in 12 dogs with hydrocephalus in which omeprazole were used for medical treatment. The diagnosis of hydrocephalus was accomplished by transcranial sonography (TCS) and/or computed tomography. The ventricular measurement was assessed periodically by TCS during medical treatment. Six dogs were diagnosed with non-obstrutive hydrocephalus and in the other 6 cases hydrocephalus occurred with other concomitant anomalous encephalic disease often related with obstructive hysdrocephalus, such as quadrigeminal cist, arachnoid cyst, chiary-like malformation, and syringomyelia. All of them had medical improvement after the use of omeprazole and the most of the cases had ventricular size reduction. In 10 dogs, the omeprazole was used as single drug, and in 2 dogs medical treatment with steroids and/or diuretics was previously being performed, and omeprazole was added because conventional treatment was resulting in mild to unsatisfactory medical control of the neurological status. The results of this paper shown that omeprazole may be used to ameliorate the neurological status in symptomatic hydrocephalic dogs. This work may represent the first description about the use of omeprazole in order to treat a substantial group of affected dogs with suspected increased intracranial pressure by hydrocephalus, probably due to limitation of CSF production

Achados clínicos, histopatológicos e moleculares da mielopatia degenerativa canina: relato de caso

Clinical, histopathological and molecular findings of canine degenerative myelopathy: case report

LINK DO ARTIGO

C.R.O. Santos , A.M. Amude , F.P. Araújo , F.C.M. Bezerra , J.F. Nogueira , J.J.S. Gouveia , D. Baraúna Júnior

Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec., v.72, n.2, p.339-345, 2020


RESUMO

 Objetivou-se descrever os achados clínicos, histopatológicos e moleculares associados à MDC em um cão da raça Pastor-Suiço. O cão possuía uma paraparesia progressiva em membros pélvicos e foi submetido a avaliações clínicas, pelas quais se obteve, entre outros diferenciais, o diagnóstico presuntivo de MDC. Com a evolução dos sinais, o tutor optou pela eutanásia. Os achados histopatológicos da medula espinhal foram compatíveis com uma degeneração segmentar axonal e mielínica. O diagnóstico molecular foi realizado por meio da extração do DNA obtido por swab oral. Uma PCR foi otimizada utilizando-se primers descritos em literatura para amplificar a região do gene SOD1. A amostra foi, então, submetida a sequenciamento unidirecional, que revelou que o animal em questão era homozigoto para o alelo A para a mutação c.118G>A no éxon 2 do gene SOD1. O diagnóstico clínico presuntivo da MDC no presente caso foi esclarecido por meio dos achados histopatológicos, associados aos achados clínicos, e da sua caracterização molecular. Ressalta-se a contribuição deste relato, que traz aspectos clínicos, histopatológicos e moleculares associados à MDC na raça Pastor-Suíço, para a qual, até o presente momento, na literatura consultada, não há relato dessa enfermidade. 

ABSTRACT 

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, histopathological and molecular findings associated with MDC in a Swiss Shepherd dog. The dog had a progressive paraparesis in pelvic limbs and was submitted to clinical evaluations where, among other differentials, the presumptive diagnosis of MDC was obtained. With the progression of the nervous deficits tutor opted for euthanasia. The histopathological findings of the spinal cord were compatible with axonal and myelinic segmental degeneration. Molecular diagnosis was performed by extracting the DNA obtained by oral swab. PCR was optimized using primers described in the literature to amplify the SOD1 gene region. The sample was then subjected to one-way sequencing which revealed that the animal in question was homozygous for the A allele for the c.118G>A mutation in exon 2 of the SOD1 gene. The presumptive diagnosis of MDC in the present case was clarified by histopathological findings, as well as by its molecular characterization. The contribution of this report brings clinical, histopathological and molecular aspects associated with canine degenerative myelopathy in the Swiss Shepherd breed, that until this moment, in the literature consulted, there is no report of this disease in the breed mentioned. 

LEITURA COMPLEMENTAR 1

LEITURA COMPLEMENTAR 2

Clomipramina no tratamento da perseguição compulsiva da cauda em Bull Terrier – relato de caso

Clomipramine in the treatment of compulsive tail pursuit in bull terrier – case report

Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec., v.72, n.1, p.125-130, 2020 

S.M. Caramalac , N.D. Chimenes , M.I.P. Palumbo

link

RESUMO

A perseguição compulsiva da cauda consiste em um distúrbio caracterizado por movimentos giratórios em círculos, lentos a rápidos com ou sem foco na cauda. É uma desordem comportamental comumente observada em cães da raça Bull Terrier, sendo mais frequente em machos, com início entre três e seis meses de idade. O diagnóstico é realizado com base no histórico do paciente junto com exames físico, neurológico e laboratoriais. O tratamento pode ser feito por meio do manejo ambiental e da retirada de fatores estressantes aliados a medicamentos antidepressivos. O objetivo deste artigo é relatar o caso de um Bull Terrier que apresentava perseguição compulsiva da cauda e teve evidente melhora clínica 75 dias após início do tratamento com clomipramina. A melhora foi ainda maior após a orquiectomia. A clomipramina consiste em um antidepressivo tricíclico promissor no tratamento de perseguição compulsiva da cauda em cães, devendo-se associar alteração no manejo ambiental e evitar gatilhos que induzam frustração, ansiedade e conflito.

ABSTRACT 

The compulsive pursuit of the tail is characterized by a rotating movement in circles, slow to fast with or without focus on the tail. It is a disorder commonly observed in bull terrier dogs, being more frequent in males, beginning between 3 and 6 months of age. Diagnosis can be made based on patient history along with physical, neurological, and laboratory tests. Treatment can be done through environmental management and withdrawal of stressors allied with antidepressant drugs. The objective of this article is to report the case of a Bull Terrier that had compulsive pursuit of the tail and had evident clinical improvement 75 days after starting treatment with clomipramine. The improvement was even greater after orchiectomy. Clomipramine is the promising tricyclic antidepressant in the treatment of compulsive tail chasing in dogs. It should be associated with changes in environmental management and avoid triggers that induce frustration, anxiety and conflict. 

LINK PARA LEITURA COMPLEMENTAR

LEITURA COMPLEMENTAR 2

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Dogs and Cats with Neurological Diseases

Análise do líquido cérebro-espinhal em cães e gatos com afecções neurológicas

link

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2019. 47: 1704

Renato Tavares Conceição, Karina Keller Marques da Costa Flaiban , Fernanda Catacci Guimarães & Mônica Vicky Bahr Arias

ABSTRACT

 Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is of great importance for evaluation of patients with central nervous system problems, because it helps to confirm or exclude many diseases when evaluated together with other relevant clinical and ancillary laboratory tests. As there are few studies in Brazil describing results of CSF analysis in dogs and cats, the objective of the present study was to evaluate results of CSF analysis in a period of ten years, grouping the changes observed, mainly total and differential cell count and total protein concentration, according to the following etiological categories of diseases: inflammatory, degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic and vascular disorders. Materials, Methods & Results: Medical records of dogs and cats with neurological diseases that had CSF collected and analyzed at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2008 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient data included breed, sex, body weight, age at presentation, findings of clinical and neurological examination, results of CSF analysis, diagnostic imaging and other laboratory tests results including PCR and serologies for infectious diseases. A total of 245 CSF exams were studied (240 dogs and five cats). The established normal range for protein concentration was less than 25 mg/dL for cisternal collection and less than 45 mg/dL for lumbar puncture. Total nucleated cell count was considered normal when less than 5 cells/µL, with a predominance of mononuclear cells. Both pleocytosis and increased concentration of the protein level were classified as discrete, moderate and marked, and the pleocytosis was further classified as mononuclear, neutrophilic and mixed cell pleocytosis. The information obtained was analyzed in relation to the neurological syndromes and etiological categories of neurological diseases. The most frequent syndrome was thoracolumbar and the less frequent was cerebellar. Regarding the etiological categories, the most frequent in decreasing order were inflammatory, infectious, degenerative, neoplastic, traumatic, vascular and episodic. CSF examination was abnormal in 72% of cases. In viral infectious diseases, there was predominantly mononuclear pleocytosis with a slight increase of protein, whereas in dogs with presumptive diagnosis of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), marked mononuclear and mixed pleocytosis predominated with moderate to marked protein increase. In degenerative diseases, however, the absence of pleocytosis or mild pleocytosis, with normal to slightly increased protein was most observed. In neoplastic diseases there was a high frequency of mild to moderate pleocytosis, with and without albuminocytological dissociation, while in spinal trauma there was mainly mononuclear pleocytosis. A slight increase in protein was observed mainly in infectious, degenerative, neoplastic and traumatic diseases, while moderate to marked increase was more observed in cases of presumptive diagnosis of MUO. Albuminocytological dissociation was observed in half of the cases of neoplasia and less frequently in degenerative, infectious and traumatic diseases.

Discussion: The exam was altered in a considerable number of patients and provided important information even when normal. The diseases with more abnormalities were inflammatory/infectious and neoplastic diseases. When the exam was normal, the most frequent condition was degenerative diseases. Although the changes were not specific for each class of neurological disease, there were certain trends regarding pleocytosis type and protein increase in some of them. Based on the results of this retrospective study, result of CSF analysis, when interpreted along with signalment, etiological categories of diseases, neurological syndromes, and results of other complementary tests, provided support for the diagnosis of various neurological diseases.

Neoplasmas encefálicos em cães idosos / Brain Neoplasms in Elderly Dogs

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2019. 47(Suppl 1): 384

LINK

Carolina da Fonseca Sapin, Cristina Gevehr Fernandes, Márcia de Oliveira Nobre & Fabiane Borelli Grecco

Background: The prevalence of intracranial neoplasms in dogs represents 2.1 to 4.0% of the cases. Brain tumors may be primary or metastatic. The objective of this study was to describe two cases of intra encephalic neoplasia in elderly dogs received for necropsy by the Veterinary Oncology Service in the Federal University of Pelotas. 

Cases: 

Case 1: A 12-year-old female canine, without breed and medium size, was received for necropsy. The animal has had behavioral changes. Macroscopic examination of the encephalus revealed asymmetry and congestion. The organs were collected and fixed in 10% formalin. In the brain cleavage we noticed an extensive brown-gray mass with reddish areas, expansive, moderately demarcated, soft to cut and discrete hydrocephalus. Serial fragments of the brain and fragments of the organs were sent for processing. The slides were stained with the hematoxylin and eosin technique for histopathological analysis. At the microscopic examination, cuboidal cells were observed in the encephalus sometimes in acinar arrangements, of extensive and very limited pattern, diagnosed as ependymoma. Case 2: It is a 15-year-old, female Poodle dog, with several tumors. During necropsy multiple subcutaneous nodules, mesentery, intestinal serosa, stomach and liver were noticed. At the cut these were firm and whitish. No macroscopic changes were observed in the other organs. Fragments of organs and brain were collected and a serial section of the encephalus was performed for further processing and histological analysis. In the histopathological analysis the masses were constituted by proliferation of sometimes rounded cells, elongated, with rounded nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm, allowing the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The same cell pattern was observed in other organs. In the frontal cortex of the encephalus there were small foci of cells similar to those observed in the mesentery, as well as metastatic emboli in the meningeal and encephalic vessels, characterizing the diagnosis of metastatic mesothelioma. 

Discussion: Neoplasms of the central nervous system may be primary or metastatic. The ependymoma observed in case 1 was only diagnosed after visualization of the encephalic mass during necropsy, pointing to the importance of postmortem examination. Brain neoplasms in dogs occur with a frequency and variety similar to that of humans. Most of these are found in older dogs, and 95% of those affected are over five years of age. One situation that may occur in ependymomas is the development of obstructive hydrocephalus by the expansion of the neoplasm into the ventricular system. The animal studied in case 1 presented behavioral changes for weeks before death, and at necropsy ventricular dilation was evidenced, suggesting that hydrocephalus had occurred and the behavioral changes due to tumor localization. Metastatic brain neoplasms occur due to the hematogenous spread of many tumors. The species in which the metastatic neoplasms are most commonly described is the canine. Metastases of mesotheliomas in the central nervous system are rare, which reinforces the need for a thorough postmortem examination, as evidenced in the second case of this study, since the animal did not manifest clinically signs of neurological involvement and the metastasis was only identified microscopically by serial cuts of the encephalon. It can be concluded that detailed, systematic and serial post-mortem examination of the central nervous system should be part of the diagnostic routine even if no clinical neurological signs are evident. The reports presented here are of importance since they are considered rare diagnoses of primary and metastatic brain tumors.

Neuropathic pain and prognosis of a dog submitted to limb amputation after diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma - case report

Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec., v.71, n.4, p.1116-1120, 2019

LINK

M.G.P.A. Ferreira , A.V. Antunes , A.L. Pascoli , T.L. Nazaret  , A.P. Gering , N.P. Reis Filho , M.T. Costa , A.B. Nardi

Neuropathic pain occurs when there is a lesion or a dysfunction of the nervous system. Humans and veterinary patients may develop neuropathic pain, but in veterinary it is not often reported probably because of its mistaken diagnosis. A canine patient was admitted to the Veterinary Hospital of UNESPJaboticabal-SP, Brazil with a nodule on the left thoracic limb. The nodule was surgically removed, and histopathological analysis demonstrated the tumor was a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and the margins were not clean. Based on the patient’s health condition and the lack of suitable equipment, the next procedure was limb amputation. The patient received analgesic medication in the post-surgery period; nevertheless, clinical signs of neuropathic pain were present, such as compulsive licking and other behavioral disorders. Medications were administered for forty days, but clinical signs ceased only when replaced with a tryciclic antidepressant drug, Amitriptyline. Therapeutic management of the patient in this report can be considered effective, since five years after the end of the treatment there was no recurrence or presence of metastasis. 

Dor neuropática e prognóstico de um cão submetido à amputação de membro após diagnóstico de sarcoma de tecidos moles - relato de caso

A dor neuropática ocorre quando há uma lesão ou disfunção do sistema nervoso. Tanto pacientes humanos quanto veterinários podem desenvolver a dor neuropática, mas na medicina veterinária ela é pouco relatada provavelmente por não ser corretamente diagnosticada. Um paciente canino foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário da Unesp-Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil, com um nódulo em membro torácico esquerdo. O nódulo foi removido cirurgicamente, e o exame histopatológico evidenciou a presença de sarcoma de tecidos moles (STM) e de margens comprometidas. Baseando-se nas condições de saúde do paciente e na ausência de equipamentos adequados, o próximo procedimento foi a amputação do membro. No pós-cirúrgico, o animal recebeu medicações analgésicas, todavia, mesmo assim, apresentava sinais de dor neuropática, como lambedura compulsiva e outros distúrbios comportamentais. O tratamento para dor aguda se estendeu por 40 dias; no entanto, os sinais clínicos cessaram apenas quando os analgésicos comuns foram substituídos por um medicamento antidepressivo tricíclico, a amitriptilina. O manejo terapêutico do paciente do presente relato pode ser considerado satisfatório, uma vez que, após cinco anos do término do tratamento, não houve recidiva nem presença de metástase. 

Encefalite parasitária em cadela

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2019. 47(Suppl 1): 431.

LINK

Lygia Silva Galeno , Brenda Lurian do Nascimento Medeiros , Sávio Matheus Reis de Carvalho , Vanessa Brígida Pinheiro Rodrigues, Pablo Martins Veloso de Sousa , Joanna Jéssica Sousa Albuquerque , Bruno Martins Araújo & Francisco Lima Silva

Background: Encephalitis is common in most inflammatory and infectious diseases of the central nervous system, and bacterial and viral pathogens, protozoa, fungi, and erythematous parasites are recognized as etiological agents. Clinical signs vary according to the anatomical location and severity of the inflammation. Some parasites may undergo aberrant migration into the brain of dogs and cats, which is are considered a rare clinical phenomenon. This case report describes the occurrence of parasitic encephalitis in a mixed breed bitch about 4 year-old. 

Case: A mixed breed bitch, about 4 year-old, rescued from the street with weakness of the pelvic limbs, was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí - UFPI. After A clinical and neurological examination, the patient was hospitalized for diagnosis, treatment, confirmation and follow-up of her clinical evolution. Complementary tests were performed to evaluate her general condition, given her unknown history because she was a rescue dog. Complete blood count (CBC), hemoparasite screening, biochemical function (urea, creatinine, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin and globulin), abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, serological and parasitological tests for leishmaniasis, distemper antigen and ehrlichiosis antibody detection tests were performed, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected for analysis. The CBC revealed normocytic hypochromic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Biochemical functions were within normal limits, except for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), which was slightly low. The ultrasound examination showed splenomegaly. The canine distemper, ehrlichiosis and leishmaniasis tests were negative. The results of the CSF analysis revealed the presence of spherical structures compatible with parasitic cysts, suggestive of Echinococcus granulosus. After the laboratory diagnosis of parasitic encephalitis, the animal was treated with prednisolone, albendazole, praziquantel and doxycycline. Three days after starting treatment for parasitic encephalitis, the patient presented significant clinical improvement, began to feed again and to move around.

Discussion: The presence of parasitic cysts in cerebrospinal fluid is uncommon; however, encephalitis due to aberrant parasite migration has been described in dogs and cats. The migration and growth of the parasite causes extensive damage to the neural parenchyma. The clinical signs of worm encephalitis tend to show acute to super-acute onset, and the definitive diagnosis depends on the identification of the parasitic agent in the patient’s brain. This type of diagnosis has so far been performed only during necropsy. In the case reported here, parasitic cysts were identified in CSF, thus confirming and formulating a definitive diagnosis. It is rare to find microorganisms and tumor cells in samples of cerebrospinal fluid; however, if this occurs, a definitive diagnosis can be formulated. The use of cerebrospinal fluid is therefore an important diagnostic tool when other imaging tests such as tomography and magnetic resonance provide limited access. Praziquantel and Albendazole are recommended for the treatment of Echinococcus, prednisolone is recommended for cases of encephalitis, and prophylactic antibiotic therapy is used to prevent secondary bacterial meningoencephalitis. The recommended treatment was efficient for this patient, and could be adopted to treat other dogs with parasitic encephalitis. The main forms of prevention in dogs are periodic worming, and the ingestion of only processed or cooked foods and treated water.

Feline lymphoma in the nervous system: pathological, immunohistochemical, and etiological aspects in 16 cats

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 39(6):393-401, June 2019

LINK

Lauren S. Mello, Ronaldo V. Leite-Filho , Welden Panziera , Marcele B. Bandinelli , Luciana Sonne , David Driemeier and Saulo P. Pavarini

The pathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and etiological features of lymphoma involving the nervous system (NS) in cats were analyzed through a retrospective study (2004-2017) in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The NS involvement was observed in 16 (12.2%) of 125 felines with lymphoma. Young cats were mainly affected, with a median of 24 months old. Most cases were secondary central NS lymphoma, whereas in three cats, the NS involvement was primary. IHC revealed 14 (87.5%) FeLV-positive, six FIV-positive, and one FeLV/FIV-negative cats. Distribution of feline lymphoma in the NS was 8/16 in the spinal cord, 7/16 in the brain, and 1/16 in the paravertebral nerves and ganglia (neurolymphomatosis). The lymphoma pattern in the spinal cord was exclusively extradural, often focal (6/8), and located in the lumbar (3/6), sacral (1/6), thoracic (1/6), and cervical segments (1/6). Brain neuroanatomical patterns were: leptomeningeal lymphomatosis (4/7), lymphomatous choroiditis (2/7), and intradural lymphoma (1/7). The feline with primary neurolymphomatosis presented a marked thickening of paravertebral nerves and ganglia from the sacral region. B-cell lymphoma (75%) was often diagnosed, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (11/16) was the main subtype. T-cell lymphoma (25%) was less commonly observed and was classified as peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) (3/16) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) (1/16)

Linfoma no sistema nervoso de felinos: aspectos patológicos, imuno-histoquímicos e etiológicos em 16 gatos

RESUMO

Os aspectos patológicos, imuno-histoquímicos (IHQ) e etiológicos do linfoma envolvendo o sistema nervoso de felinos foram analisados através de um estudo retrospectivo (período de 2004-2017) no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. O envolvimento do sistema nervoso foi observado em 16 (12,2%) dos 125 felinos com linfoma desse estudo e afetou principalmente, jovens com idade mediana de 24 meses. A grande maioria dos casos o linfoma era secundário no sistema nervoso central e somente em três gatos o linfoma foi primário do sistema nervoso. Na IHQ, 14 (87,5%) casos foram positivos para FeLV, seis (37,5%) para FIV, e um foi negativo para ambos. A distribuição do linfoma no sistema nervoso foi em 8/16 felinos na medula espinhal, 7/16 no encéfalo e em 1/16 em nervos e gânglios paravertebrais (neurolinfomatose). Na medula espinhal, o padrão do linfoma foi exclusivamente extradural e frequentemente focal (6/8), localizadas nos segmentos lombares (3/6), sacrais (1/6), torácicos (1/6) e cervicais (1/6). No encéfalo, os padrões neuroanatômicos observados foram: linfomatose leptomeningeal (4/7), coroidite linfomatosa (2/7), linfoma intradural (1/7). No felino diagnosticado com neurolinfomatose primária, foi observado acentuado espessamento dos nervos e gânglios paravertebrais da região sacral. Os linfomas de células de células B (75%) foram os mais frequentes e o principal tipo foi o linfoma difuso de grandes células B (11/16). Os linfomas de células T (25%), menos observados, foram classificados como linfomas de células T periférico inespecífico (3/16) e linfoma linfoblástico T (1/16).

Neuron-specific enolase as biomarker for possible neuronal damage in dogs with distemper virus

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 39(1):47-51, janeiro 2019

LINK

Bruno Cesar Elias , Alice F. Alfieri , Italmar T. Navarro and Lucas A. Gomes

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a biomarker of neuronal cell lysis, which demonstrates stability in extracellular fluids such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid. To the authors knowledge there is no research information comparing the use of NSE in dogs with and without encephalitis, putting in evidence the importance of that biomarker to detect neuronal damage in dogs. The objective was to compare the serum NSE levels in dogs with and without encephalitis, and to determine the serum NSE levels in normal dogs. Thirty eight dogs were evaluated, 19 dogs with encephalitis (EG Group) and 19 dogs without encephalitis (CG Group). The criteria for inclusion in the EG Group were presence of neurological signs in more than one part of the CNS (multifocal syndrome) and positive molecular diagnosis for canine distemper virus; for the CG Group were an age between 1 to 7 years and be clinically normal; NSE were measured in serum using an ELISA assay, and the results were compared. In the EG Group the NSE values were higher with significant difference (P=0.0053) when compared with the CG Group. NSE is a biomarker that can be measured in serum samples of dogs to monitor neuronal lesions in encephalitis.

Leucoencefalite necrosante em um cão Yorkshire do Brasil

Semina: Ciências Agrárias, Londrina, v. 40, n. 6, suplemento 2, p. 3321-3326, 2019

LINK

Alexandre Mendes Amude ; Mônica Vicky Bahr Arias ; Selwyn Arlington Headley ; Ana Paula Frederico Rodrigues Loureiro Bracarense ; Natalino Francisco Silva ; Amauri Alcindo Alfieri

Leucoencefalite necrosante (LEN) é uma condição inflamatória encefálica incomum. A NLE foi descrita em cães da América do Norte, Europa e Ásia, mas, de acordo com o conhecimento dos autores, não há diagnóstico definitivo dessa doença na América do Sul. O objetivo do presente relato foi descrever um caso de leucoencefalite necrosante diagnosticado em um cão do Brasil. A doença é descrita em um cão Yorkshire fêmea de 3,5 anos com apresentação neurológica afetando principalmente o mielencéfalo; o animal veio a óbito, apesar do tratamento médico, e foi submetida a autopsia e avaliação histopatológica. As lesões estavam restritas ao encéfalo e foram caracterizadas por necrose da substância branca e extensa inflamação não-supurativa do neurópilo e presença de grandes manguitos perivasculares; a resposta inflamatória não-supurativa foi caracterizada principalmente por infiltração de linfócitos e histiócitos, e ocasionais plasmócitos e células gitter. Agentes infecciosos não foram detectados por técnicas moleculares e também não foram identificados por colorações histológicas. Este relato representa o primeiro caso de LEN com diagnóstico anatomopatológico no Brasil, demonstrando que esta doença está presente em cães Sul Americanos que sofrem de condições neurológicas. Esta informação é útil para os médicos veterinários no Brasil, levando em consideração que esta doença deve ser considerada como um diagnóstico diferencial quando as causas infecciosas forem excluídas.

Necrotizing leukoencephalitis in a Yorkshire dog from Brazil

Necrotizing leukoencephalitis (NLE) is an uncommon inflammatory condition of brain of dogs, and was described in dogs from North America, Europe, and Asia. Cases of NLE from South America were not located when major data bases were examined. Consequently, this report describes the findings associated with NLE in a Brazilian 3.5-year-old female Yorkshire dog with neurological findings related to the myelencephalon; the dog died, besides medical treatment, and was submitted for autopsy exam and histopathological evaluation. Lesions were restricted to the encephalon and characterized as leukoencephalomalacia with severe non-suppurative inflammation with extensive perivascular cuffing; the non-suppurative inflammation was characterized by influx of lymphocytes and histiocytes, and occasionally plasma cells, and gitter cells. Infectious disease agents were not identified by molecular techniques or visualized with histochemical stains. This report represents the first definitive diagnose of NLE in Brazil, suggesting that this disease may be present in South America dogs suffering from neurological conditions. This knowledge may be useful for veterinarians in Brazil, taking into account that this disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis when infectious causes are excluded. 

Cerebral Candida albicans Infection in Two dogs

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2018. 46(Suppl 1): 332

Erick Platiní Ferreira de Souto, Maria Talita Soares Frade, Ismael Lira Borges, Leonardo Mendes Torres, Glaucia Denise Kommers, Glauco José Nogueira de Galiza, Franklin Riet-Correa & Antônio Flávio Medeiros Dantas

Link

Background: Candida spp. are pleomorphic fungi that are commensal inhabitants of the oral, gastrointestinal, upper respiratory and urogenital mucosa of mammals. Candida albicans is described as the most important species. This opportunistic pathogen may produce local or systemic infections in dogs. Local infections have been reported in several tissues and systemic infection is rare in dogs with few reports in the literature describing this presentation. The aim of the present study was to report two cases of cerebral Candida albicans infection in dogs in Brazil. 

Case: Two cases of cerebral Candida albicans infection in dogs that showed nervous signs are described. In both cases, the brain showed marked asymmetry of the telencephalic hemispheres with multifocal to coalescing yellowish or reddish areas and a partial loss of distinction between gray and white matter. In Case 1, the mediastinal, tracheobronchial and mesenteric lymph nodes, as well as the right kidney and adrenal gland, showed altered architecture due to numerous whitish gray nodules. Histological lesions were characterized by granulomatous (case 1) or pyogranulomatous (case 2) necrotizing meningoencephalitis with intralesional fungal organisms. In case 1, similar granulomatous infiltrate with intralesional fungal organisms was also seen in the lymph nodes, kidney and adrenal gland. In case 2, there was evidence consistent with an underlying infection of canine distemper virus. Were observed lymphoplasmocytic interstitial pneumonia, lymphoid rarefaction in lymph nodes, and viral intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the epithelial cells of the stomach and vesical urothelium. In these two cases, the fungal organisms displayed three different morphological patterns. The first pattern was characterized by delicate tubular structures with thin parallel walls that were rarely septate and tended to undulate slightly, and measured approximately 4-20 µm (true hyphae). The second pattern was characterized by chains of elongated yeast, separated by constrictions at septal sites, and measured approximately 4-10 µm (pseudohyphae). The other morphological pattern, which was rarely observed, was characterized by round budding yeast cells that measured 3-4 µm in diameter and were often elongated by the germ tube. Sections were also stained using immunohistochemical antibodies against Candida albicans. The fungi revealed strong immunolabelling of the cytoplasm and wall for Candida albicans. 

Discussion: The diagnosis was based on the histomorphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the agent, which were consistent with Candida albicans. In these two cases, immunocompromise appeared to have been an important factor in the progression of the infection. In case 1, the dog was senile and treated with corticosteroids, conditions that could effectively limit innate, humoral and cell-mediated immune response to infection. In case 2, the dog displayed cachexia and was infected by canine distemper virus, evidenced by the presence of viral inclusion bodies. The inflammatory reactions in both cases were characteristic of fungal infections, but were distinct due to differences in the infectious process. In case 1, there was a subacute to chronic progression; while in case 2 neutrophilic infiltrate predominated, suggesting an acute progression. The different morphological patterns of the fungi suggested a pleomorphic fungi and the immunohistochemistry allowed us to identify the infectious agent. In conclusion, opportunistic infections caused by Candida albicans should be considered when diagnosing diseases that affect the central nervous system of dogs, particularly in immunosuppressed animals.

Hérnia de disco tipo III em um cão

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2018. 46(Suppl 1): 350

Link

Matheus Cézar Nerone & Gabriel Antonio Covino Diamante

Background: Acute and non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion, also called type III disc herniation, usually results from extreme exercises or traumatic episodes and is characterized by an acute extrusion without a compression of the spinal cord. Extrusion reaches the spinal cord at high speed, causing bruising in its parenchyma, and dissipates through the epidural space without causing compression. This report aims to describe the clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of a canine patient possibly affected by acute non-compressive extrusion of the intervertebral disc, as well as the evolution of the case with the proposed therapy. 

Case: A 7-year-old male Dachshund, weighing 9.4 kg, was presented with an acute loss of hind limb locomotion. At the neurological examination, paraplegia of acute onset with absence of deep pain, increased muscle tone, and increased patellar and withdrawal reflexes in hind limbs was found, as well as pain on epaxial palpation of the thoracolumbar spine. The perineal reflex was preserved, and the cutaneous trunci reflex was absent until the level of the second lumbar vertebra (L2). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an uncompressed heterogeneous hyper intense area in the thoracolumbar spinal cord on the intervertebral disc (IVD) between T13-L1. Based on the imaging findings, a presumptive diagnosis of an acute non-compressive disc extrusion was assumed, thus discarding the need for surgical decompression. The patient was hospitalized, initially being treated with dexamethasone, tramadol and dipyrone. After 24 hours of hospitalization, the dog recovered deep pain in the pelvic limbs and control over urination. The dog was then discharged from hospital and was prescribed prednisolone and absolute rest. After 25 days of clinical onset, there was a significant improvement in the patient neurological status, presenting only an ataxia of the pelvic limbs. Ten months after the initial care, the owner reported that the patient presented normal, without any gait abnormality or signs of pain, and was in a similar state to the one that preceded the clinical condition. 

Discussion: Among the consequences of disc degeneration, acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion is less frequent than Hansen types I and II. The patients generally affected are older dogs of chondrodystrophic breeds that present hyperacute neurological signs, which may vary from pain to loss of limb movement, depending on location and severity of the injury; signs which are very similar to those described for disc extrusion with compression. However, contrary to what is recommended in the treatment of thoracolumbar extrusion from grade III, decompression surgery is not required in non compressive extrusion, since in this case there is no spinal compression, only spinal concussion, regardless of the degree of neurological injury. The prognosis for dogs that retain the perception of deep pain is generally good. On the other hand, the average recovery rate for dogs that lost the ability to perceive deep pain is much lower. Patients with more severe neurological lesions are usually associated with a worse prognosis; however, the patient presented a positive evolution with conservative treatment, progressing from a paraplegia to an ambulatory paraparesis with a mild ataxia after 20 days of treatment, and showed complete recovery of ambulation after 10 months. Although the loss of deep nociception is a poor prognostic factor, the clinical outcome of this dog suggests that a good recovery may occur with conservative treatment in dogs with acute non-compressive disc extrusion, even in patients with severe neurological signs.

[Aspectos patológicos e das imagens de ressonância magnética de um glioma misto em um cão: relato de caso]

Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec., v.70, n.5, p.1383-1387, 2018

T.M. Granato , L.P. Mesquita , R.C. Costa , J.P. Andrade Neto , P.C. Maiorka

LINK

RESUMO O objetivo deste relato foi descrever as características patológicas e das imagens de ressonância magnética de um glioma misto canino. Um cão de 12 anos de idade da raça Boxer foi submetido à necropsia. As imagens obtidas ante mortem por ressonância magnética foram analisadas, e nelas se observou uma lesão prosencefálica com contornos pouco definidos, sinal hiperintenso nas imagens ponderadas em T2, hipointenso nas imagens ponderadas em T1, e heterogeneamente hiperintenso em T2- FLAIR. Havia discreto realce desuniforme ao contraste, evidente desvio da linha média, edema perilesional moderado e marcada distorção do ventrículo lateral adjacente. O encéfalo foi avaliado macroscopicamente, microscopicamente e imuno-histoquimicamente. Macroscopicamente, havia uma massa pobremente demarcada, com áreas de hemorragia, nos lobos parietal e temporal esquerdos. Histologicamente, havia uma massa densamente celular, composta por duas populações de células neoplásicas distintas separadas geograficamente. A primeira população era composta por células pequenas e redondas, organizadas com aspecto de favo de mel. A segunda população era constituída por feixes entrelaçados de células neoplásicas fortemente imunomarcadas para a proteína fibrilar ácida glial (GFAP). O diagnóstico de glioma misto foi obtido com base nos achados imaginológicos e, principalmente, em suas características histológicas e imuno-histoquímicas. 

Magnetic resonance imaging and pathological features of a mixed glioma in a dog: case report 

ABSTRACT -  The aim of this report was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathological features of a canine mixed glioma. A 12-year-old boxer male dog was presented for necropsy along with data from an MRI evaluation conducted ante-mortem. The images were examined and showed a poorly demarcated prosencephalic lesion, hyperintense on T2W images, hypointense on T1W images and heterogeneously hyperintense on T2W FLAIR images. There was mild nonuniform contrast enhancement, apparent midline shift, moderate perilesional edema and marked distortion of the adjacent lateral ventricle. The brain was evaluated macroscopically, microscopically and immunohistochemically. Grossly, there was a poorly demarcated soft mass, with areas of hemorrhage, within the left parietal and temporal lobes. Histologically, there was a densely cellular mass composed of two geographically distinct populations of neoplastic cells. The first population was composed of small and round cells organized in a honeycomb pattern. The second population constituted of intermingled streams and bundles of neoplastic cells that were strongly immunolabeled for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The diagnosis of a mixed glioma was based on MRI findings, and mainly on histological and immunohistochemical findings. 

Uso de parafusos vertebrais para distração e estabilização espinhal em um cão com espondilomielopatia cervical disco-associada: relato de caso

Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec., v.70, n.5, p.1427-1432, 2018

P.V.T. Marinho , A.S. Macedo , C.R.A. Ferrigno , I.S. Dal-Bó , F. Paes , T. Bregadioli

LINK

RESUMO Um cão, macho, adulto, Rotweiller de 10 anos de idade, foi atendido com histórico de claudicação do membro torácico esquerdo com evolução para fraqueza havia aproximadamente dois meses. Ao exame neurológico, observou-se ataxia proprioceptiva nos quatro membros e dor cervical moderada. Mediante ressonância magnética, espondilomielopatia cervical disco-associada com a característica estática da compressão C3-C4 foi diagnosticada. Realizou-se cirurgia descompressiva por meio de slot ventral e estabilização-distração com o uso de parafusos vertebrais e barras conectoras. O paciente apresentou evolução clínica favorável do quadro. A evolução foi progressiva e, no último retorno, 120 dias após a cirurgia, não apresentou nenhum déficit neurológico ou sinal de falha do implante nas imagens radiográficas; no entanto, não foi evidenciada fusão vertebral. Pelo conhecimento dos autores, esse é o primeiro relato de EMC disco-associada tratada por distração e estabilização com parafusos vertebrais (pediculares) em um cão. A fixação espinhal por meio do uso de parafusos vertebrais foi uma alternativa viável no caso apresentado.

ABSTRACT A 10-year-old male Rottweiler was evaluated for a 2-month history of recurrent forelimb weakness. Neurologic examination revealed proprioceptive ataxia, tetraparesis and moderate cervical pain. Diskassociated cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) with static lesion at C3-4 was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The dog was surgically treated by a ventral slot procedure and distraction-stabilization of the vertebral bodies through insertion of vertebral screws with transverse connective bars. The patient had favorable clinical outcome. Neurologic assessment performed 120 days after surgery showed absence of neurologic defects. Radiographic assessment performed at the same time indicated adequate spinal cord decompression although vertebral fusion was not achieved. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of distraction-stabilization with vertebral (pedicle) screws to treat CSM in a dog. The treatment was well tolerated with no complications and excellent outcome and can be a viable option for this condition.

Efeitos adversos da morfina, metadona e tramadol no pós-operatório de cães submetidos à cirurgia da coluna vertebral: 180 casos (2011-2016)

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 38(7):1431-1437, julho 2018

Angel Ripplinger, Graciane Aiello , Rafael O. Chaves , Amanda O. Andrades , Diego V. Beckmann , Dakir Polidoro , André V. Soares e Alexandre Mazzanti

LINK

RESUMO: A dor pós-operatória em cães que são submetidos a cirurgias da coluna vertebral é considerada severa e seu manejo inadequado pode influenciar no tempo de recuperação  do paciente, na qualidade de vida e no resultado cirúrgico. Dentre os analgésicos indicados para uso no pós-operatório dessas cirurgias tem-se os opioides, que podem apresentar inúmeros efeitos adversos que requerem atenção. Devido à escassez de estudos clínicos acerca desse assunto em se tratando do pós-operatório de cães, objetivou-se com o presente estudo retrospectivo apresentar os efeitos adversos da morfina, metadona e tramadol utilizados no pós-operatório de cirurgias da coluna vertebral. Foram revisadas e avaliadas as fichas de 180 cães e anotadas as alterações observadas no pós-operatório e decorrentes do uso de opioides. Os principais efeitos adversos observados foram anorexia, hiporexia, vômito, salivação, vocalização, bradicardia, hipotermia, ofegação e sedação. Também foi observada persistência da dor em alguns cães mesmo com o uso de analgésicos. Houve diferença na ocorrência de anorexia nos cães tratados com morfina e nos tratados com metadona em relação aos tratados com tramadol. Ocorreu diferença também entre a observação de dor dos grupos morfina e tramadol. A associação de dipirona com morfina e com metadona não revelou diferença com relação à ocorrência de efeitos adversos, bem como a variação de doses. Conclui-se que a morfina, a metadona e o tramadol apresentam efeitos adversos quando empregados para tratamento da dor pós-operatória em cães submetidos à cirurgia da coluna vertebral; a anorexia, a hiporexia e o vômito foram os efeitos adversos frequentes com o uso de morfina e de metadona e, mesmo que o tramadol apresente menor ocorrência desses efeitos, seu uso, na dose estudada, pode não ser vantajoso quando se leva em consideração o grau de dor para cirurgias da coluna vertebral.

ABSTRACT: Postoperative pain in dogs undergone vertebral surgery is classified as severe and it’s important an adequate approach to it, because it can influence recovery time, quality of life and surgery outcome. Opioids are indicated for postoperative pain treatment in these surgeries. Opioids may have adverse effects that may require attention. There are few clinical studies that present the adverse effects of these analgesics in canine postoperative period. The aim of this retrospective study was to present the adverse effects of morphine, methadone and tramadol in canine vertebral surgery postoperative period. There were revised the postoperative records of 180 dogs and the changes resulted from the opioids use were noted. The adverse effects observed were anorexia, hyporexia, vomiting, vocalization, bradycardia, hypothermia, panting, sedation. Pain was also observed in some dogs. A significant difference was found in anorexia between dogs treated with morphine and tramadol and methadone and tramadol. Significant difference was also found in pain between dogs treated with morphine and tramadol. The association of metamizole and morphine or metamizole and methadone was not different in relation to the adverse effects. There was also no difference with the dosage variation and the adverse effects. In conclusion, morphine, methadone and tramadol have adverse effects when used for pain control in the postoperative period of dogs submitted to vertebral surgery. Anorexia, hypophagia and emesis were frequent the adverse effects observed with morphine and methadone and, despite tramadol presented less adverse effects, its use may be not beneficial in the studied doses when we consider the degree of pain, however more controlled studies with clinical situation are needed to confirm this.

Fisioterapia na recuperação funcional e qualidade de vida de cães paraplégicos por doença do disco intervertebral (Hansen tipo I) toracolombar submetidos à cirurgia descompressiva

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 38(8):1656-1663, agosto 2018

Amanda O. Andrades , Angel Ripplinger , Dênis A. Ferrarin , Graciane Aiello , Luciana Schneider , Marcelo L. Schwab e Alexandre Mazzanti

LINK

RESUMO: Este estudo retrospectivo incluiu cães paraplégicos com ausência de percepção a dor profunda secundário a doença do disco intervertebral toracolombar e submetidos à cirurgia descompressiva. Teve como objetivo comparar a  recuperação funcional e a qualidade de vida (QV) quando submetidos a um protocolo em um centro especializado ou a domicílio realizado pelo tutor. Vinte e oito cães foram distribuídos no grupo A (GA) e submetidos ao protocolo domiciliar e 38 denominados grupo B (GB) em um centro especializado. Recuperaram a habilidade de caminhar 43% dos cães em uma média de 40 dias de pós-operatório (PO) no GA e 42% em uma média de 36 dias no GB. Em 53% dos casos (35/66) os cães permaneceram paraplégicos sem percepção a dor profunda ao final do período de 90 dias de PO. Vinte e cinco tutores do GA e 26 do GB responderam um questionário sobre a QV, com no mínimo seis meses de PO. A avaliação do tempo de sobrevida dos animais, realização de eutanásia e nota atribuída a QV demonstraram que os cães do GB provavelmente foram beneficiados pelo estreito acompanhamento e orientação aos tutores até 90 dias PO.

ABSTRACT: The retrospective study included paraplegic dogs affected by thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease with absence of deep pain perception and submitted to a decompressive surgical technique. The aim was to compare functional recovery and quality of life (QOL) of dogs that underwent a home physiotherapy protocol to dogs that were cared in a specialized center. Twenty-eight dogs were placed in group A (GA, home physiotherapy protocol) and other 38 patients were placed in group B (GB, physiotherapy protocol in a specialized center). Forty three percent (43%) of the patients recovered the ability to walk in an average of 40 postoperative (PO) days in GA and 42% in an average of 36 days in GB. In 53% of the cases (35/66) the dogs remained paraplegic without deep pain perception at the end of physiotherapeutic protocols. Twenty-five owners from GA and 26 from GB answered a questionnaire about QOL, with a minimum of six PO months. The evaluation of the animals survival time, euthanasia and the QOL score demonstrated that dogs that underwent a physiotherapeutic treatment in a specialized center probably were benefited by the close monitoring and orientation to owners until 90 days of PO.

Avaliação laboratorial e nível sérico do fenobarbital administrado por diferentes vias em cão

Laboratory Evaluation and Serum Level of Phenobarbital Administered by Different Pathways in Dogs 

Gabriela Francisco Bittar , Gleice Laine de Souza , Gabriela Haro de Melo , Dayane Aparecida Francisco da Silva , José Sérgio Costa Júnior , Rogério Giuffrida & Rosa Maria Barilli Nogueira

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2018. 46: 1587.

LINK

ABSTRACT

Background: Anticonvulsants are widely used in the treatment of small animals for the remission of isolated seizures and recurrent seizures in epilepsy, including tonic-clonic seizures and in status epileticus. Phenobarbital is the drug of choice for the management of epileptic seizures, it is considered very effective, safe, low cost and with few side effects. Several routes of administration may be used, with the oral, intravenous and intramuscular routes being the most common, with rectal and nasal routes being the least common. 

Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty mongrel dogs were used in the present study (aged 1 to 6-year-old, males and females, weighing 6.0 to 17.0 kg). The patients were previously evaluated via physical examination, temperature, respiratory and heart rate, laboratory tests (erythrogram and leukogram), and serum biochemistry by analyzing the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (FA), and gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT). Four experimental groups were established with five animals in each group: animals receiving intramuscular injections of phenobarbital (VIM), animals receiving nasal administration of phenobarbital (VN), animals receiving rectal administration of phenobarbital (VR), and animals receiving oral administration of phenobarbital (VO). Phenobarbital was administered every 12 h for 15 days. To determine the serum level of phenobarbital, 5 mL of jugular vein blood was collected in vacuum tubes for evaluation via hemogram. The serum level was determined after 15 days of continuous administration of phenobarbital, as stable phenobarbital serum levels can only be achieved from 10 to 15 days after the first administration. For the serum biochemistry evaluation, 10 mL of blood from the jugular vein was collected using vacuum syringes for assessing ALT, AST, GGT, and FA levels. Statistical analyses were performed with contrasted variation analysis using the Tukey method and paired t-test for comparison of time points. The level of significance was determined to be 5%. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) among drug administration routes, and among the levels of AST and AF enzymes after the first administration of phenobarbital via the nasal and intramuscular routes. Based on the results, it was concluded that hepatic alterations secondary to the use of phenobarbital for 15 days may occur with a low incidence. The phenobarbital serum concentration in dogs varied when administered via nasal, rectal, and intramuscular routes, but was stable when administered orally.

Discussion: The current results are consistent with those of previous studies, indicating that the chronic use of phenobarbital causes an increase in the serum levels of ALT and FA enzymes. It was found that phenobarbital serum levels varied greatly, particularly following nasal, rectal, and intramuscular administration. In the present study, serum phenobarbital levels were within the normal range when administered via the intramuscular, nasal, rectal, and oral routes. This result is inconsistent with that of previous studies where the serum levels were below the normal range following oral administration of phenobarbital. The serum concentration, rather than clinical criteria, should be used as a guide for treatment modification, as the distribution of this drug varies greatly among animals.

Post mortem evaluation of spinal cord and protruded intervertebral discs in dogs without neurological abnormalities

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 38(9):1793-1799, setembro 2018

Carolina C. Zani , Paulo V.T. Marinho , Gabriel A.C. Diamante , Felipe A.R. Sueiro and Mônica V. Bahr Arias

LINK

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to verify the presence of protrusion of the intervertebral disc (IVD) causing compression of the spinal cord and/or roots of cauda equina in 30 dogs above seven years of age with no evidence of previous neurological abnormalities. After the occurrence of death or euthanasia, a laminectomy was performed from C2 to the sacral vertebra to verify the presence of IVD protrusions. The protruded IVD were macroscopically graded according to the Thompson scale, and the corresponding spinal cord segment was histologically analyzed for nervous tissue compression. Of the 30 dogs, twelve (40%) presented disc protrusion, and of these 12 dogs, seven (58%) presented more than one protruded disc. Disc protrusion was observed in 3.2% (25/780) of all IVD evaluated. Of the six chondrodystrophic dogs, five (83%) presented disc protrusion. Of the 24 nonchondrodystrophic dogs, seven (29%) presented IVD protrusion. The site that showed the highest frequency of protrusion was L4-L5 (6/25) followed by the L6-L7 region (3/25) and C6-C7 (3/25). Only two of the medullary segments evaluated showed histological changes, with presence of focal lymphocytic infiltration and multifocal mild hemorrhage in the gray matter. Under the conditions of this study, 40% of dogs older than seven years old showed IVD protrusions without showing neurological signs, with no abnormality of the nervous tissue in 92% of the evaluated segments. Thus, the protrusion of the IVD in some dogs, can only be a finding of no clinical relevance.

 Avaliação post mortem da medula espinhal e de discos intervertebrais protrusos em cães sem alterações neurológicas

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a presença de protrusão do disco intervertebral (DIV) causando compressão da medula espinhal e/ou raízes da cauda equina em cadáveres de cães, sem histórico de alterações neurológicas. Para isso, após a ocorrência de óbito ou realização de eutanásia em 30 cães com mais de sete anos de idade, sem histórico de alterações neurológicas, foi realizada a laminectomia entre C2 até a vértebra sacral para verificar a presença de protrusões do DIV. Os DIV protrusos foram graduados macroscopicamente quanto à degeneração segundo a escala de Thompson, e o segmentos medular correspondente à localização da compressão foi analisado microscopicamente em busca de lesões compressivas ao tecido nervoso. Quarenta por cento dos cães (12/30) apresentaram protrusão do DIV, e destes, 58% (7/12) apresentavam mais de um DIV protruso. A protrusão estava presente em 3,2% (25/780) de todos os DIV avaliados. Cães de raças condrodistróficas apresentaram protrusões em 83% dos casos (5/6) e raças não condrodistróficas em 29% (7/24). O local que apresentou maior frequência de protrusão foi L4-L5 (6/25), seguido da região L6-L7 (3/25) e C6-C7 (3/25). Apenas dois segmentos medulares avaliados na histopatologia apresentaram alterações, com presença de infiltrado linfoplasmocitário focal e hemorragia discreta multifocal na substância cinzenta. Nas condições do presente estudo, 40% dos cães com mais de sete anos de idade apresentaram protrusões do DIV sem que houvesse sinais neurológicos, com normalidade do tecido nervoso em 92% dos segmentos avaliados. Assim, a protrusão do DIV, em alguns cães, pode ser apenas um achado sem relevância clínica

Análise do líquido cérebro-espinhal de três doenças do sistema nervoso central de cães

Pesq. Vet. Bras. 38(8):1649-1655, agosto 2018

LInk

Dakir N. Polidoro , Rosmarini P. Santos, Graciane Aiello , Rafael O. Chaves , Angel Ripplinger , Mathias R. Wrzesinski , Marcelo L. Schwab e Alexandre Mazzanti

RESUMO:

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo do líquido cérebro-espinhal de cães (LCE), atendidos pelo Serviço de Neurologia do Hospital Veterinário da Instituição, de 2004 a 2015, com o objetivo de analisar os resultados de cães com sinais neurológicos, comparar as alterações encontradas em dois locais de colheita no mesmo paciente e verificar se esse exame auxiliou o clínico em reforçar a suspeita clínica das principais doenças do sistema nervoso central. A pleocitose linfocítica esteve presente em 78,3% (29/37) das amostras de cães com cinomose e em 23,2% (10/43) de cães com DDIV.  Houve dissociação albuminocitológica (DAC) em 73% (19/26) das amostras de cães com tumores IC e em 64,3% (9/14) de cães com tumores envolvendo a ME. Em cães com DDIV, houve significância estatística entre o grau de disfunção neurológica e o total de células nucleadas (TCN) e total de proteínas (TP). Em 29 cães, houve a colheita do LCE da cisterna magna e da cisterna lombar e em 12 (41,4%) os resultados foram diferentes entre as duas amostras colhidas do mesmo cão, onde dois (6,9%) apresentaram alteração na amostra colhida cranial à lesão. Pode-se concluir que a pleocitose linfocítica foi a principal alteração encontrada no LCE de cães com cinomose e DDIV e DAC nas neoplasias, IC e ME, cães acometidos pela DDIV apresentaram sinais neurológicos mais severos conforme o TCN e o TP aumentaram e o LCE sofreu alteração, mesmo colhido cranial ao local da lesão e auxiliou o clínico em reforçar a suspeita clínica, mas não confirmou, as principais doenças neurológicas em cães.

Analysis of cerebral-spinal fluid of tree central nervous system diseases of dogs

ABSTRACT: A retrospective study including the analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs neurologically affected was conducted by the Neurology Service of the Veterinary Hospital at the Institution, between 2004 and 2015. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of the CSF of dogs with neurological signs, and compare the changes in the CSF in two sampling sites in the same patient and see if this test helped the clinician to strengthen clinical suspicion of the major diseases of the central nervous system.  Lymphocytic pleocytosis was present in 78.3% (29/37) of samples from dogs with distemper and in 23.2% (10/43) of samples from dogs with IVDD. The albumin cytologic dissociation (ACD) was found in 73% (19/26) of samples from dogs with IC tumors and in 64.3% (9/14) from dogs with tumors involving the SC. For dogs with IVDD, there was statistical significance  between the degree of neurological dysfunction and the total nucleated cells (TNC) and total protein (TP). In 29 dogs, CSF was collected from the cistern magna and the lumbar and in 12 (41.4%) the results were different between the samples of the same dog, where two cases (6,9%) showed alterations in the sample collected cranial to the injury. It can be concluded that the lymphocytic pleocytosis was the main alteration found in the CSF of dogs with distemper and IVDD and ACD in tumors. Dogs affected by IVDD had more severe neurological signs as TNC and TP increased and the CSF was altered even collected cranial to the lesion site and helped the clinician to strengthen the clinical suspicion, but not confirm, the major neurological diseases in dogs.