Introduction of a Simple and Minimally Invasive Approach for Access to Epidural Space in Cat

   Background: Although various studied have been done to improve therapeutic strategies in resolving spinal cord injuries, robust clinical treatment is not yet available. Developing a standard animal model is essential to achieve effective treatment for such injuries. The present study was performed to introduce a simple, applicable, and minimally invasive approach for access to epidural space in cats. Methods: We used a percutaneous approach from the lumbosacral junction for stainless steel cannula insertion to the epidural space without fluoroscopy. CT scan, conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tractography, and behavioral evaluation were used to assess the correct position of the cannula and the neurological condition of the animal. Results: MRI results showed no significant change in signal intensity index of neural structures under lumbosacral junction. These observations are further supported by tractography, and also behavioral examination during the study. Conclusion: We found that the percutaneous approach from the lumbosacral junction is a simple and applicable approach that has no side effects and artifact formation in MRI evaluation

Assessment of the utility of platelet indices to diagnose clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs

IntroductionPlatelet indices changes in severely ill people and in dogs with inflammation are compatible findings. This study aimed to compare platelet indices between dogs with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy controls. Additionally, to determine whether there is a correlation between the relative prostatic size (Srel) and the platelet indices in BPH dogs.MethodsThirty-five adult intact male dogs of different breeds were allocated to the experimental groups: dogs with clinical BPH (groups A; n = 24; median age of 6 years; the median weight of 8.50 kg) and healthy dogs (group B; n = 11; median age 5.50 years; the median weight of 7.00 kg) based on physical examination, clinical signs, and Srel detected by ultrasonographic findings. The individual prostatic volume (IPV) was divided by the expected prostatic volume (EPV) to determine the relative prostatic size in dogs over 4 years old. Platelet indices were compared between the two groups, and a correlation between Srel and these indices was calculated.ResultsThe median Srel of dogs in group A was significantly higher (P = 0.001), and the mean plateletcrit (PCT) was significantly lower (P = 0.003) compared with those in group B. Srel showed a significant negative correlation with PLT and PCT (r = −0.388; P = 0.02 and r = −0.402; P = 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed PLT and PCT thresholds for estimating Srel > 1 with 75% and 87.5% sensitivity and 71.82 and 63.64% specificity.DiscussionThe findings of this study support the use of platelet indices like PLT and PCT to detect clinical BPH in dogs. However, more research is needed to confirm their utility in conjunction with other previously described diagnostic factors

Table_1_Assessment of the utility of platelet indices to diagnose clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs.DOCX

IntroductionPlatelet indices changes in severely ill people and in dogs with inflammation are compatible findings. This study aimed to compare platelet indices between dogs with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy controls. Additionally, to determine whether there is a correlation between the relative prostatic size (Srel) and the platelet indices in BPH dogs.MethodsThirty-five adult intact male dogs of different breeds were allocated to the experimental groups: dogs with clinical BPH (groups A; n = 24; median age of 6 years; the median weight of 8.50 kg) and healthy dogs (group B; n = 11; median age 5.50 years; the median weight of 7.00 kg) based on physical examination, clinical signs, and Srel detected by ultrasonographic findings. The individual prostatic volume (IPV) was divided by the expected prostatic volume (EPV) to determine the relative prostatic size in dogs over 4 years old. Platelet indices were compared between the two groups, and a correlation between Srel and these indices was calculated.ResultsThe median Srel of dogs in group A was significantly higher (P = 0.001), and the mean plateletcrit (PCT) was significantly lower (P = 0.003) compared with those in group B. Srel showed a significant negative correlation with PLT and PCT (r = −0.388; P = 0.02 and r = −0.402; P = 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed PLT and PCT thresholds for estimating Srel > 1 with 75% and 87.5% sensitivity and 71.82 and 63.64% specificity.DiscussionThe findings of this study support the use of platelet indices like PLT and PCT to detect clinical BPH in dogs. However, more research is needed to confirm their utility in conjunction with other previously described diagnostic factors.</p