Fibrocartilaginous embolism in 75 dogs: Clinical findings and factors influencing the recovery rate

The records of 75 dogs with fibrocartilaginous embolism of the spinal cord were evaluated retrospectively. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically in 21 dogs (group A) and remained suspected in 54 patients (group B). The two groups were compared. Particular emphasis was placed on the description of physiotherapy procedures, recovery rates and prognostic criteria. Results demonstrated that fibrocartilaginous embolism affected mainly middle-aged, large- or giant-breed dogs. Clinical signs were peracute in onset, non-progressive and often asymmetric. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal in the majority of dogs. Intramedullary swelling was the only abnormality detected on myelograms of these patients. A positive correlation was found between a poor prognosis and the involvement of intumescences, symmetrical clinical signs and decreased deep pain sensation. However, physio/hydrotherapy instituted immediately after the diagnostic work-up seemed to have a major influence on the recovery rate

Equinedegenerative myeloencephalopathy in five Quarter Horses: clinical and neuropathological findings

This study reports the clinical signs, clinicopathological results, radiographic and neuropathological findings in 5 Quarter Horsefillies with equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM).EDM is considered to be one of the most frequent causes of spinal cord disease in the horse in the USA but, in Europe, it has been reported less frequently. The published European studies concern a few horses from different stables, but this is the first report in Europe of a cluster of cases from the same farm. The gait abnormalities in our horses may have been consistent with a more diffuse lesion of the spinal cord, since the thoracic limbs were less affected than the pelvic limbs. Moreover, all horses had significant reduction of the cutaneous local cervical and truncal reflexes. Clinical and neuropathological observations are consistent with those reported previously [...

Cerebellar cortical degeneration in three English bulldogs:clinical and neuropathological findings

This case report describes the clinical and neuropathological findings in three young English bulldogs affected by cerebellar cortical degeneration. The dogs, born from the same parents, were presented with clinical signs indicating progressive cerebellar dysfunction: a wide-based stance, severe cerebellar ataxia characterised by marked hypermetria, spasticity, and intention tremors of the head and trunk with loss of balance. On histopathological examination, lesions were confined to the cerebellum and consisted of diffuse degenerative cortical lesions, and there was a loss of Purkinje and granule cells. The history, clinical signs and neuropathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of cerebellar cortical degeneration. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of cerebellar cortical degeneration in the English bulldog