Evaluation of the success of medical management for presumptive cervical intervertebral disk herniation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the success of medical management of presumptive cervical disk herniation in dogs and variables associated with treatment outcome. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS Dogs (n=88) with presumptive cervical disk herniation. METHODS Dogs with presumptive cervical and thoracolumbar disk herniation were identified from medical records at 2 clinics and clients were mailed a questionnaire related to the success of therapy, clinical recurrence of signs, and quality of life (QOL) as interpreted by the owner. Signalment, duration and degree of neurologic dysfunction, and medication administration were determined from medical records. RESULTS Ninety-seven percent of dogs (84/87) with complete information were described as ambulatory at initial evaluation. Successful treatment was reported for 48.9% of dogs with 33% having recurrence of clinical signs and 18.1% having therapeutic failure. Bivariable logistic regression showed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration was associated with success (P=.035; odds ratio [OR]=2.52). Duration of cage rest and glucocorticoid administration were not significantly associated with success or QOL. Dogs with less-severe neurologic dysfunction were more likely to have a successful outcome (OR=2.56), but this association was not significant (P=.051). CONCLUSIONS Medical management can lead to an acceptable outcome in many dogs with presumptive cervical disk herniation. Based on these data, NSAIDs should be considered as part of the therapeutic regimen. Cage rest duration and glucocorticoid administration do not appear to benefit these dogs, but this should be interpreted cautiously because of the retrospective data collection and use of client self-administered questionnaire follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results provide insight into the success of medical management for presumptive cervical disk herniation in dogs and may allow for refinement of treatment protocols.

Evaluation of the success of medical management for presumptive thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the success of medical management of presumptive thoracolumbar disk herniation in dogs and the variables associated with treatment outcome. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS Dogs (n=223) with presumptive thoracolumbar disk herniation. METHODS Medical records from 2 clinics were used to identify affected dogs, and owners were mailed a questionnaire about success of therapy, recurrence of clinical signs, and quality of life (QOL) as interpreted by the owner. Signalment, duration and degree of neurologic dysfunction, and medication administration were determined from medical records. RESULTS Eighty-three percent of dogs (185/223) were ambulatory at initial evaluation. Successful treatment was reported for 54.7% of dogs, with 30.9% having recurrence of clinical signs and 14.4% classified as therapeutic failures. From bivariable logistic regression, glucocorticoid administration was negatively associated with success (P=.008; odds ratio [OR]=.48) and QOL scores (P=.004; OR=.48). The duration of cage rest was not significantly associated with success or QOL. Nonambulatory dogs were more likely to have lower QOL scores (P=.01; OR=2.34). CONCLUSIONS Medical management can lead to an acceptable outcome in many dogs with presumptive thoracolumbar disk herniation. Cage rest duration does not seem to affect outcome and glucocorticoids may negatively impact success and QOL. The conclusions in this report should be interpreted cautiously because of the retrospective data collection and the use of client self-administered questionnaire follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results provide an insight into the success of medical management for presumptive thoracolumbar disk herniation in dogs and may allow for refinement of treatment protocols.

Effect of tympanic cavity evacuation and flushing on microbial isolates during total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences in bacterial numbers, identity, and susceptibility in samples obtained from the tympanic cavity on entry (preflush) and after evacuation and lavage (postflush) and assess perioperative and empiric antimicrobial selection in dogs that underwent total ear canal ablation (TECA) with lateral bulla osteotomy (LBO) or reoperation LBO. DESIGN Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS 34 dogs. PROCEDURE TECA with LBO or reoperation LBO was performed on 47 ears. Pre- and postflush aerobic and anaerobic samples were obtained from the tympanic cavity. Isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were compared. RESULTS Different isolates (31/44 [70%] ears) and susceptibility patterns of isolate pairs (6/44 [14%] ears) were detected in pre- and postflush samples from 84% of ears. Evacuation and lavage of the tympanic cavity decreased the number of bacterial isolates by 33%. In 26% of ears, bacteria were isolated from post-flush samples but not preflush samples. Only 26% of isolates tested were susceptible to cefazolin. At least 1 isolate from 53% of dogs that received empirically chosen antimicrobials postoperatively was resistant to the selected drugs. Anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 6 ears. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Accurate microbiologic assessment of the tympanic cavity should be the basis for selection of antimicrobials in dogs undergoing TECA with LBO. Bacteria remain in the tympanic cavity after evacuation and lavage. Cefazolin was a poor choice for dogs that underwent TECA with LBO, as judged on the basis of culture and susceptibility testing results.

Neurologic complications after melarsomine dihydrochloride treatment for Dirofilaria immitis in three dogs.

Melarsomine dihydrochloride is highly effective against both sexes of adult and L5 Dirofilaria immitis. Common adverse reactions include injection site irritation and reluctance to move. Neurologic complications associated with i.m. injection of melarsomine dihydrochloride for treatment of heartworm disease in 3 dogs are described. Different degrees of neurologic complications have been identified; the pathophysiologic features are unknown. It is speculated that the compound migrates out of the injection site via fascial planes and causes an ascending inflammation along nerve roots. The resulting extradural cord compression secondary to extensive inflammation and necrosis of epidural fat could induce a variety of neurologic deficits. Alternatively, inappropriate injection technique may result in direct contact of melarsomine with neural tissue. A heightened awareness of proper injection technique might prevent the development of most neurologic complications.

The use of an electronic von Frey device for evaluation of sensory threshold in neurologically normal dogs and those with acute spinal cord injury

The utility and inter-session repeatability of sensory threshold measurements using an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer (VFA) were assessed in a group of six neurologically normal dogs. Sensory threshold values obtained in neurologically normal dogs were compared to those of dogs with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by intervertebral disc extrusion (n=6) and to a group of neurologically normal dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR; n=6). Sensory threshold values in neurologically normal dogs were 155.8 ± 37.7 g and 154.7 ± 67.2 g for the left and right pelvic limbs, respectively. The difference in mean sensory threshold values obtained for the group when two distinct testing sessions were compared was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Mean sensory threshold values for the group with SCI were significantly higher than those for neurologically normal dogs at 351.1 ± 116.5 g and 420.3 ± 157.7 g for the left and right pelvic limbs, respectively (P=0.01). A comparison of sensory threshold values for the group with CCLR and neurologically normal dogs was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The modified dorsal technique for VFA described here represents a reliable method to assess sensory threshold in neurologically normal dogs and in those with SCI.

Clinical and Breed Characteristics of Idiopathic Head Tremor Syndrome in 291 Dogs: A Retrospective Study.

Objective. To establish signalment and phenomenology of canine idiopathic head tremor syndrome (IHTS), an episodic head movement disorder of undetermined pathogenesis. Design. Retrospective case series. Animals. 291 dogs with IHTS diagnosed between 1999 and 2013. Procedures. Clinical information was obtained from an online community of veterinary information aggregation and exchange (Veterinary Information Network, 777 W Covell Boulevard, Davis, CA 95616) and conducted with their approval. Information on breed, sex, age of onset, tremor description, mentation during the event, effect of distractions and drugs, diagnostics, presence of other problems, and outcome was analyzed. Results. IHTS was found in 24 pure breeds. Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and Doberman Pinschers comprised 69%; mixed breeds comprised 17%. Average onset age was 29 months (range: 3 months to 12 years). First episode occurred before 48 months of age in 88%. Vertical (35%), horizontal (50%), and rotational (15%) movements were documented. Possible trigger events were found in 21%. Mentation was normal in 93%. Distractions abated the tremor in 87%. Most dogs did not respond to antiepileptic drugs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance. This retrospective study documents IHTS in many breeds including Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and mixed breeds.

Serum and fecal canine α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations reflect the severity of intestinal crypt abscesses and/or lacteal dilation in dogs.

Gastrointestinal (GI) protein loss, due to lymphangiectasia or chronic inflammation, can be challenging to diagnose. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serum and fecal canine α1-proteinase inhibitor (cα1PI) concentrations to detect crypt abscesses and/or lacteal dilation in dogs. Serum and fecal cα1PI concentrations were measured in 120 dogs undergoing GI tissue biopsies, and were compared between dogs with and without crypt abscesses/lacteal dilation. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. Serial serum cα1PI concentrations were also evaluated in 12 healthy corticosteroid-treated dogs. Serum cα1PI and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with crypt abscesses and/or lacteal dilation than in those without (both P <0.001), and more severe lesions were associated with lower serum cα1PI concentrations, higher 3 days-mean fecal cα1PI concentrations, and lower serum/fecal cα1PI ratios. Serum and fecal cα1PI, and their ratios, distinguished dogs with moderate or severe GI crypt abscesses/lacteal dilation from dogs with only mild or none such lesions with moderate sensitivity (56-92%) and specificity (67-81%). Serum cα1PI concentrations increased during corticosteroid administration. We conclude that serum and fecal α1PI concentrations reflect the severity of intestinal crypt abscesses/lacteal dilation in dogs. Due to its specificity for the GI tract, measurement of fecal cα1PI appears to be superior to serum cα1PI for diagnosing GI protein loss in dogs. In addition, the serum/fecal cα1PI ratio has an improved accuracy in hypoalbuminemic dogs, but serum cα1PI concentrations should be carefully interpreted in corticosteroid-treated dogs.

Prevalence estimation of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) antibodies in dogs from Finland using novel dog anti-TBEV IgG MAb-capture and IgG immunofluorescence assay based on recombinant TBEV subviral particles

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is one of the most dangerous human neurological infections occurring in Europe and Northern parts of Asia with thousands of cases and millions vaccinated against it. The risk of TBE might be assessed through analyses of the samples taken from wildlife or from animals which are in close contact with humans. Dogs have been shown to be a good sentinel species for these studies. Serological assays for diagnosis of TBE in dogs are mainly based on purified and inactivated TBEV antigens. Here we describe novel dog anti-TBEV IgG monoclonal antibody (MAb)-capture assay which is based on TBEV prME subviral particles expressed in mammalian cells from Semliki Forest virus (SFV) replicon as well as IgG immunofluorescence assay (IFA) which is based on Vero E6 cells transfected with the same SFV replicon. We further demonstrate their use in a small-scale TBEV seroprevalence study of dogs representing different regions of Finland. Altogether, 148 dog serum samples were tested by novel assays and results were compared to those obtained with a commercial IgG enzyme immunoassay (EIA), hemagglutination inhibition test and IgG IFA with TBEV infected cells. Compared to reference tests, the sensitivities of the developed assays were 90-100% and the specificities of the two assays were 100%. Analysis of the dog serum samples showed a seroprevalence of 40% on Åland Islands and 6% on Southwestern archipelago of Finland. In conclusion, a specific and sensitive EIA and IFA for the detection of IgG antibodies in canine sera were developed. Based on these assays the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies in dogs from different regions of Finland was assessed and was shown to parallel the known human disease burden as the Southwestern archipelago and Åland Islands in particular had considerable dog TBEV antibody prevalence and represent areas with high risk of TBE for humans.