Unilateral Idiopathic Sensory Trigeminal Nerve Paralysis in a Dog

Background: A spayed-female mixed breed dog was presented due to 2 years reduced visual acuity in the left eye. The investigation revealed corneal melanosis, keratoconjunctivis sicca and loss of facial sensation in the same side. The aim of this report is to describe an unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis and keratitis as consequence of corneal innervation loss was established. Unilateral sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis is a very rare lesion in dogs and causes are unclear.Case: A 5-year-old spayed-female mixed breed dog was presented with a history of two years reduced visual acuity in the left eye. The Schirmer tear test values (without use of topical anesthetic) were 11 and 17 mm/min in the left and right eye respectively. Fluorescein tests were negative for both eyes. All postural reactions and spinal reflexes were normal. Cranial nerve evaluation identified symmetrical facial muscles (temporalis, masseter), indicating no muscle atrophy and normal motor nucleus of the fifth nerve. Absent sensation at the upper and lower lips margins, cornea, eyelids (medial and lateral canthi) and sensation in left nasal side were noted. No palpebral reflex was noticed, but there was spontaneous blinking of eyelids, which indicated normal facial nerve function. All other cranial nerve reflexes including menace response, oculocephalic, and gag reflexes were normal. The owner declined further workup, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis and images studies. According to the clinical presentation and neurological findings, presumptive diagnosis of unilateral idiopathic sensory trigeminal nerve paralysis was established. The dog was observed over 18 months without any clinical improvement. The Schirmer tear test showed same values (12 mm/min) and the melanosis remained unchanged.Discussion: Lesions that affected trigeminal nerve, trigeminal ganglion, or trigeminal tract in the pons and medulla caused facial hypoalgesia or analgesia. The causes of trigeminal nerve damage included neoplasia, trauma, fracture of petrous temporal bone and inflammatory polyneuropathies, but the dog present no signals of these diseases. Trigeminal nerve lesions that affected ophthalmic nerve branch will result in loss of corneal sensation and loss of corneal and palpebral reflex as consequence. Paralysis of this branch cause degenerative changes in the cornea, as neurotrophic keratitis that result in edema and epitelial erosion. The Schirmer tear is the standard test to quantify aqueous tear production and the result (11 mm/min) in dog’s left eye is considered early or subclinical keratoconjunctivis sicca (KCS) sign. The pigmentation results from melanocytic cells migration from the limbal or perilimbal tissues. The keratitis can be active when followed by corneal vascularization, stromal inflammatory cell infiltration and granulation tissue formation. The etiology for idiopathic disease is unknown and isolated sensory trigeminal neuropathy have never been described in dogs. There is no definitive treatment and corticosteroid therapy did not appear to alter the course of the disease in dogs with idiopathic trigeminal neuritis therefore supportive treatment is indicated. The paralysis of trigeminal sensory ophthalmic and maxillary branches can result in corneal alterations

Avaliação eletroneuromiográfica em gatos normais e submetidos ao hiperparatireoidismo secundário nutricional

The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor nerve conduction velocity, neuromuscular transmission, and electromyography at rest in healthy cats (group I) and in cats submitted to the nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (group II). Ten mongrel cats, six males and four females, aged between 4 and 5 months and average body weight of 1.67 kg were used to establish normal pattern (group I). Ten mongrel cats, five males and five females, initial age between 2 and 3 months, old and initial body weight of 820 grams were used in group II. After 10 days of adaptation period, the group II animals were fed with raw heart beef for 60 days to induce the nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. It was possible to conclude that the motor nerve conduction velocity, and electromyographic findings of insertional and spontaneous activities of cats with nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism showed similar pattern to healthy cats at the same age. Using repetitive stimulation at 3Hz it was observed global tendency to decrement of the compound muscle action potentials, and using repetitive stimulation at 10Hz a tendency to decrement or increment occurred; though, the variations were at normal limit.O trabalho teve por objetivos estudar a condução nervosa motora e a transmissão neuromuscular e eletromiografia de repouso em gatos normais (grupo I), submetidos a hiperparatireoidismo secundário nutricional (grupo II). Para estudo normativo (grupo I), foram utilizados 10 gatos, aparentemente saudáveis, sem raça definida, sendo seis machos e quatro fêmeas, com idades entre 4 e 5 meses e peso médio de 1,67kg. No grupo II, empregaram-se 10 gatos, sem raça definida, sendo cinco machos e cinco fêmeas, com idade aproximada inicial entre 2 e 3 meses e peso inicial médio de 820 gramas. Após um período de adaptação de 10 dias, foram alimentados por 60 dias com coração bovino moído e cru, visando a indução de hiperparatireoidismo secundário nutricional. Foi possível concluir que latência, amplitude e velocidade de condução nervosa motora e os achados eletromiográficos das atividades insercional e espontânea de gatos com hiperparatireoisdismo secundário nutricional, apresentaram um padrão similar aos de gatos normais da mesma idade. Para estimulações repetitivas a 3Hz, observou-se tendência global a decremento dos potenciais de ação musculares compostos e a 10 Hz houve tendência de incremento ou decremento; entretanto, tais variações apresentaram-se dentro dos limites de normalidade

Different approaches to the clinical care and treatment of epileptic seizures in dogs

ABSTRACT: This survey analyzed data obtained through a questionnaire on the clinical approaches used by veterinarians to treat dogs with epileptic seizures. We found that neurological examinations were performed by 12% of the respondents, blood tests by 85%, and computed tomography by 72%. In addition, serology for infectious disease detection was mentioned by 30% of the respondents, and 72% did not classify epileptic seizures. According to the answers, the treatment of choice was phenobarbital in 100% of cases which was combined with potassium bromide in 19%. Moreover, 51% of the respondents mentioned that they monitored the serum phenobarbital levels. The study results showed disagreements on the conduct and care recommended by the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus

Hérnia perineal em cães

This find is registered at Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands with number PAN-0002902

Hérnia perineal em cães

A hérnia perineal acomete mais freqüentemente cães machos de meia idade e idosos, sexualmente intactos, podendo ser uni ou bilateral. Por tratar-se de afecção com altos índices de recidiva e complicações pós-operatórias, o trabalho tem por objetivo abordar os sinais clínicos, métodos diagnósticos, com ênfase aos tratamentos cirúrgicos. Entre as técnicas mais efetivas de reconstrução do diafragma pélvico, estão as transposições musculares únicas ou combinadas, tais como as do músculo obturador interno ou músculo glúteo superficial. Em casos de recidivas, podem ser utilizados métodos complementares como a colopexia e cistopexia por fixação dos ductos deferentes, ou procedimentos mais complexos como a transposição do músculo semitendinoso

Sciatic Nerve Injection Palsy in a Dog: Electrodiagnostic Testing and Microsurgical Treatment

Background: Iatrogenic damage to the ischiatic nerve is considered uncommon and may cause dysfunction with variable clinical signs dependent on type and severity of injury. Due to important role of this nerve in locomotion and weightbearing limb, a poor prognosis for recovery may be observed in many cases. Electromyography analysis may suggest the neuroanatomic localization, diagnosis information, and severity of lesion to determine better therapeutic intervention. Therefore, the aim of this report is to describe the possible cause, diagnosis and treatment of a postinjection ischiatic nerve injury in a dog with complete recovery.Case: A 3-year-old neutered male dachshund dog was referred to the Veterinary Hospital due to inability to weight support in the right hind limb after diminazene diaceturate intramuscular injection. The gait evaluation showed dropped-hock and knuckling into the digits of the right hind limb and neurologic examination revealed moderate muscle atrophy below tofemorotibial joint of the right hind limb with sensory analgesia (superficial and deep) on the lateral, dorsal, and plantar surfaces, absent patellar reflex, and proprioceptive deficit. Electrophysiologic testing was done under general anesthesia in a 2-channel Nicolet Compass Meridian apparatus. Absence of compound muscle action potentials after right fibular and tibial nerve stimulations, and abnormal spontaneous activity in cranial tibial, gastrocnemius and deep digital extensor muscles were observed. A diagnosis of moderate/severe axonotmesis of sciatic nerve was achieved. Under microscope magnification, all adherent adjacent tissue and epineural sheat were removed. Due this, a small epineural window was created. On neurological examination performed 30 days after surgery, complete recovery of sensitivity of the right hind limb, and normal proprioception were observed. The muscle atrophy was also noted to have improved.Discussion: The ischiatic nerve mechanisms of injury include direct needle trauma, the drug or vehicle used for injection, or secondary constriction by scar, factors that may be associated to damage nerve observed in the present case. During a sciatic nerve injection, the combination of intrafascicular placement of a needle and high-pressure injection may cause severe fascicular damage and persistent neurologic deficits. In the present case, damage to the nerve probably was not caused bythe injection needle, but due to injection agent. Chemical irritation or toxic reaction to the agent may cause different degrees of nerve injury. The electrophysiologic testing is an important tool for determining alteration of function and integrity of the axonal motor unit. In the present report, the electrophysiologic testing showed denervation potentials in the musclesinnervated by the sciatic nerve (positive waves and fibrillation potentials), and the absence of compound muscle action potentials was indicative of severe axonal damage of the right ischiatic nerve. In human patients with postinjection ischiatic nerve injury, early surgical treatment with neurolysis or resection and anastomosis are the procedures recommended. In the present report, external neurolysis and epineural window were used showing excellent functional results. The epineural window was performed due to adherence of tissue and scar surrounding the nerve, permitting neural decompression.Keywords: axonotmesis, neurophysiology, neurolysis, dogs

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of type 1 dermoid sinus in two Rhodesian ridgeback dogs

Two cases of type 1 dermoid sinus in Rhodesian ridgebacks are described, with emphasis on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and delineation of the lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful in identifying fluid-filled structures, fibrous capsules, and sinus tracts, but was not able to identify the termination of the tracts

Estudo retrospectivo de cães com luxação patelar medial tratados cirurgicamente

O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar, por meio de estudo retrospectivo, a evolução de 48 cães de porte médio a toy com luxação patelar medial de desenvolvimento submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos corretivos. Dos membros com grau 1 (n=15), 46,7% foram tratados apenas com a superposição do retináculo lateral, e 53,3%, com a superposição do retináculo lateral e o aprofundamento do sulco troclear, não sendo detectadas complicações. Nos membros com grau 2 (n=35), as técnicas predominantes foram aprofundamento do sulco troclear e superposição do retináculo lateral (100% dos casos), desmotomia medial (28,6%) e sutura fabela-patela (2,8%), com 14,3% de recidiva da luxação. O período final de avaliação variou de três a nove meses, e sinais clínicos de claudicação ainda foram observados em 20% dos membros. em todos os casos de grau 3 (n=11), foram realizados aprofundamento do sulco troclear, superposição do retináculo lateral, liberação parcial do quadríceps, desmotomia medial e transposição lateral da crista da tíbia, que foi fixada com fio de Kirschner ou parafuso. em 27,3% dos membros, ocorreu reluxação e esses membros foram reoperados. Nesse grupo, foi detectada ausência de claudicação em 72,7% dos membros. Nos membros com grau 4 (n=10), além das técnicas citadas para o grau 3, foi também necessária a ostectomia femoral em quatro membros. Houve reluxação em 30% dos membros, que foram novamente operados. Embora 60% dos membros tenham apresentado uma evolução positiva, ou seja, habilidade de apoio e locomoção com os membros após o período de avaliação de 5,2 meses, em geral, os cães adotavam uma postura com os membros pélvicos em flexão, em razão da inabilidade de estender totalmente o joelho. Com base nos dados obtidos, foi possível concluir que os procedimentos cirúrgicos adotados permitiram uma melhora da locomoção; porém, com exceção do grau 1, há possibilidade de recidivas nos demais, o que indica a necessidade de realização de estudos acerca de novas condutas.The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively 48 medium to toy breed dogs with developmental medial patellar luxation submitted to corrective surgical procedures. In the grade 1 limbs, 46.7% were treated by lateral retinacular overlap and 53.3% by lateral retinacular overlap and deepening of the femoral groove with no complications. In the grade 2 limbs (n=35) were used the techniques of deepening of the femoral groove and lateral retinacular overlap (100% of the cases), medial desmotomy (28.6%), fabello-patellar sutures (2.8%) with 14.3% of reluxation. The last evaluation varied from 3 to 9 months, and clinical signs of lameness were still observed in 20% of the limbs. In all grade 3 cases (n=11) were performed deepening of the femoral groove, lateral retinacular overlap, partial quadriceps released, medial desmotomy and lateral transposition of the tibial tuberosiy that was fixated with Kirschner wire or screw. Reluxation occurred in 27.3% of the limbs that were reoperated. In this group 72.7% of the limbs had absence of lameness. In the grade 4 limbs (n=10) were used the same techniques of grade 3, but it was also necessary the femoral corrective osteotomy in 4 limbs. Reluxation was observed in 30% of the limbs that were reoperated. Although 60% of the limbs showed a positive evolution of the locomotion after 5.2 months of evaluation, in general the dogs showed a posture with the hind limbs in a semi-flexed position, due to the inability to fully extend the stifle. In conclusion, the surgical procedures used allowed an improvement of the locomotion, but except to grade 1, the patellar reluxation may occur in the other degrees suggesting the necessity of other protocols.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Avaliação eletroneuromiográfica em gatos normais e submetidos ao hiperparatireoidismo secundário nutricional

O trabalho teve por objetivos estudar a condução nervosa motora e a transmissão neuromuscular e eletromiografia de repouso em gatos normais (grupo I), submetidos a hiperparatireoidismo secundário nutricional (grupo II). Para estudo normativo (grupo I), foram utilizados 10 gatos, aparentemente saudáveis, sem raça definida, sendo seis machos e quatro fêmeas, com idades entre 4 e 5 meses e peso médio de 1,67kg. No grupo II, empregaram-se 10 gatos, sem raça definida, sendo cinco machos e cinco fêmeas, com idade aproximada inicial entre 2 e 3 meses e peso inicial médio de 820 gramas. Após um período de adaptação de 10 dias, foram alimentados por 60 dias com coração bovino moído e cru, visando a indução de hiperparatireoidismo secundário nutricional. Foi possível concluir que latência, amplitude e velocidade de condução nervosa motora e os achados eletromiográficos das atividades insercional e espontânea de gatos com hiperparatireoisdismo secundário nutricional, apresentaram um padrão similar aos de gatos normais da mesma idade. Para estimulações repetitivas a 3Hz, observou-se tendência global a decremento dos potenciais de ação musculares compostos e a 10 Hz houve tendência de incremento ou decremento; entretanto, tais variações apresentaram-se dentro dos limites de normalidade