30 research outputs found
Botulinum toxin type a for the treatment of muscle contractures secondary to acute spinal cord injury in a young cat
PILOT STUDY TO ASSESS EXPRESSION OF 14 MICRORNAS IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF DOGS WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Cerebral Microbleeds in Cats Undergoing Brain MRI: A Retrospective Study of Epidemiology and Clinical Associations
Restored vision in a young dog following corticosteroid treatment of presumptive hypophysitis
Background: Hypophysitis is an umbrella term for a group of disorders involving inflammation of the pituitary
gland. A rare occurrence in humans, hypophysitis can produce a range of clinical signs including (but not limited
to) visual deficits and diabetes insipidus. Only five cases of canine hypophysitis exist in the literature, all presenting
in mature dogs with no visual deficits and a grave outcome. This case report describes the clinical and advanced
imaging features of blindness-inducing presumptive hypophysitis in a dog, which rapidly resolved with medical
management.
Case presentation: A 1-year-and-seven-month-old neutered male Standard Poodle presented with subacute
blindness, ataxia, and polyuria/polydipsia (PUPD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected a contrast-enhancing
pituitary mass with perilesional oedema compromising the optic chiasm. Suspecting neoplasia, anti-inflammatory
corticosteroid was commenced prior to radiation therapy planning. Complete resolution of neurological and visual
deficits occurred within 12 days of starting steroid treatment. Repeated advanced imaging indicated macroscopic
resolution of the lesion. An extended thyroid panel with insulin-like growth factor-1 analysis supported a diagnosis
of hypophysitis. Resolution of PUPD was achieved with tapering courses of prednisolone and desmopressin; the
dog has since been clinically normal for 14 months and treatment-free for 11 months.
Conclusions: To the authorsâ knowledge, this is the first instance in which a canine pituitary mass has demonstrated
long-term resolution with palliative medical treatment alone, alongside reversal of associated blindness and presumptive
diabetes insipidus. We suspect this lesion to be a form of hypophysitis, which should be included among differential
diagnoses for pituitary masses, and for subacute blindness in dogs. Where possible, we advocate biopsy-confirmation of
hypophysitis prior to timely intervention with anti-inflammatory treatment
Bruxism in awake dogs as a clinical sign of forebrain disease: 4 cases
BACKGROUND: Bruxism is a repetitive masticatory muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth, or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible, or both. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether bruxism in awake dogs could be associated with brain lesions. ANIMALS: Four dogs with episodic bruxism in the awake state. METHODS: Observational retrospective singleâcenter case series. Inclusion criteria were dogs examined between 2010 and 2021 with episodic bruxism as a presenting complaint or observed during the examination or hospitalization, complete medical records and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography of the brain. Bruxism during epileptic seizures as oroalimentary automatism was an exclusion criterion. RESULTS: Four dogs met the inclusion criteria. Two dogs had bruxism while awake as a presenting complaint, whereas in the remaining 2 it was a clinical finding. All dogs had neuroanatomical localization consistent with a forebrain lesion, with diencephalic involvement in 3/4. The diagnostic evaluation was consistent with neoplasia (n = 2) and meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (n = 2), in 1 case accompanied by corpus callosum abnormality affecting the forebrain, in 3 dogs advanced imaging findings were suggestive of increased intracranial pressure. All dogs were euthanized. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our results suggest that the presence of bruxism in the awake state associated with other neurological deficits might indicate a forebrain lesion
What is your diagnosis?:L-2-Hydroxyglutaric aciduria in a 7 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of muscle contractures secondary to acute spinal cord injury in a young cat
CASE SUMMARY: A 4-month-old male entire domestic shorthair cat presented for sudden onset of right thoracic monoparesis following a fall; within 18âh, the clinical signs progressed to non-ambulatory right hemiplegia with absent sensation in the distal right thoracic limb and left hemiparesis. MRI revealed changes consistent with a C6âC7 acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion with suspected secondary C5âC7 spinal cord haemorrhage. Rehabilitation exercises were started immediately after the diagnosis of acute spinal cord trauma. Sensation in the right thoracic limb improved and, with the help of a splint applied to that limb, the cat was ambulatory on all four limbs. Unfortunately, clinical signs started to progress over the course of 10 days. The cat developed progressive discomfort on manipulation of the right elbow and carpus, and a hyperflexion of the right carpus. Radiographs revealed no skeletal abnormalities. Muscle contractures were suspected. Under general anaesthesia the triceps and flexor muscles of the carpus and digits were injected with a total of 100âU of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). No complications were associated with the procedure and 24âh after the injection the carpal hyperflexion resolved. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: The use of BTX-A to treat muscle contractures in human medicine is an established and increasingly used technique. For example, in subacute stroke patients with a non-functional arm, BTX-A forearm injection appears to prevent disabling finger stiffness, likely by minimising the development of contractures. Here, we demonstrate that intramuscular BTX-A is an effective treatment for acquired muscle contractures in a cat
Clinical Features in Border Terrier Dogs with Paroxysmal Involuntary Movements
Abstract Background There have been anecdotal reports of episodic involuntary movements in the Border Terrier dog breed for over a decade. Recently, it has been hypothesized that this condition may be a form of paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenomenology and clinical course of this condition and compare it to known human movement disorders. Methods Data were collected retrospectively from clinical cases treated by veterinary neurologists and additional information was collected prospectively with an ad-hoc online survey directed to owners of affected dogs. Results The episodes are characterized by generalized dystonia, tremors, titubation, and, in some cases, autonomic signs, such as salivation and vomiting. The median age at onset of the episodes was 3 years and the interval between clusters of episodes could last several months. Most of the episodes occurred from rest, and 67% of the owners reported that the episodes were associated with a trigger, most often excitement. Some owners reported an improvement after changing their dog's diet. We hypothesize that the Border Terrier attacks represent a form of paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia. Conclusions The finding of a dystonia phenotype within an inbred population suggests a genetic predisposition, and elucidating the genetic cause could facilitate improved understanding of dystonia. This genetic predisposition and the effect of treatment with anticonvulsant drugs and dietary changes on the severity of the paroxysms warrant further investigation on this condition