Complications associated with cerebrospinal fluid collection in dogs.

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify complications associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection in dogs.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational multicentre study using data collected from 102 dogs undergoing CSF collection for the investigation of neurological disease. CSF was collected from the cerebellomedullary cistern (CMC), lumbar subarachnoid space (LSAS) or both sites. Pre-, intra- and postprocedural data were collected. Descriptive statistics were performed to outline complications associated with CSF collection.ResultsCSF sampling was attempted on 108 occasions, and CSF was acquired on 100 occasions (92.6%). Collection from the CMC was more likely to be successful than that from the LSAS. No dogs exhibited neurologic deterioration following CSF collection. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-CSF collection short-form Glasgow composite measure pain scores in ambulatory dogs (p = 0.13).LimitationsThe scarcity of complications limited the ability to quantify the incidence of some potential complications reported elsewhere.ConclusionsOur results may be used to inform clinicians and owners that CSF sampling is associated with a low frequency of complications when performed by trained personnel

Development of a reliable clinical assessment tool for meningoencephalitis in dogs: The neurodisability scale.

BackgroundMeningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) comprises a group of debilitating inflammatory diseases affecting the central nervous system of dogs. Currently, no validated clinical scale is available for the objective assessment of MUO severity.ObjectivesDesign a neurodisability scale (NDS) to grade clinical severity and determine its reliability and whether or not the score at presentation correlates with outcome.AnimalsOne hundred dogs with MUO were included for retrospective review and 31 dogs were subsequently enrolled for prospective evaluation.MethodsMedical records were retrospectively reviewed for 100 dogs diagnosed with MUO to identify the most frequent neurological examination findings. The NDS was designed based on these results and evaluated for prospective and retrospective use in a new population of MUO patients (n = 31) by different groups of independent blinded assessors, including calculation of interobserver agreement and association with outcome.ResultsThe most common clinical signs in MUO patients were used to inform categories for scoring in the NDS: seizure activity, ambulatory status, posture and cerebral, cerebellar, brainstem, and visual functions. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for prospective use of the NDS was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.91) indicating good agreement, and moderate agreement was found between prospective and retrospective assessors (ICC, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56-0.83). No association was found between NDS score and long-term outcome.Conclusions and clinical importanceThe NDS is a novel clinical measure for objective assessment of neurological dysfunction and showed good reliability when used prospectively in MUO patients but, in this small population, no association with outcome could be identified

Instrumented cervical fusion using patient specific end-plate conforming interbody devices with a micro-porous structure in nine dogs with disk-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy

ObjectiveTo report the medium and long-term outcome of nine dogs with disk-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (DA-CSM), treated by instrumented interbody fusion using patient specific end-plate conforming device that features a micro-porous structure to facilitate bone in-growth.Study designA retrospective clinical study.AnimalsNine medium and large breed dogs.MethodsMedical records at two institutions were reviewed between January 2020 and 2023. Following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of DA-CSM, pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scans were exported to computer software for in-silico surgical planning. Interbody devices were 3D-manufactured by selecting laser melting in titanium alloy. These were surgically implanted at 13 segments alongside mono-or bi-cortical vertebral stabilization systems. Follow-up included neurologic scoring and CT scans post-operative, at medium-term follow up and at long-term follow-up where possible. Interbody fusion and implant subsidence were evaluated from follow-up CT scans.ResultsNine dogs were diagnosed with DA-CSM between C5-C7 at a total of 13 operated segments. Medium-term follow up was obtained between 2 and 8 months post-operative (3.00 ± 1.82 months). Neurologic scoring improved (p = 0.009) in eight of nine dogs. Distraction was significant (p < 0.001) at all segments. Fusion was evident at 12/13 segments. Subsidence was evident at 3/13 operated segments but was only considered clinically relevant in one dog that did not improve; as clinical signs were mild, revision surgery was not recommended. Long-term follow up was obtained between 9 and 33 months (14.23 ± 8.24 months); improvement was sustained in 8 dogs. The dog that suffered worsened thoracic limb paresis at medium-term follow up was also diagnosed with immune-mediated polyarthropathy (IMPA) and was euthanased 9 months post-operative due to unacceptable side-effects of corticosteroid therapy.ConclusionEnd-plate conforming interbody devices with a micro-porous structure were designed, manufactured, and successfully implanted in dog with DA-CSM. This resulted in CT-determined fusion with minimal subsidence in the majority of operated segments.Clinical significanceThe technique described can be used to distract and fuse cervical vertebrae in dogs with DA-CSM, with favorable medium-and long-term outcomes

Complications associated with cerebrospinal fluid collection in dogs

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify complications associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection in dogs.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational multicentre study using data collected from 102 dogs undergoing CSF collection for the investigation of neurological disease. CSF was collected from the cerebellomedullary cistern (CMC), lumbar subarachnoid space (LSAS) or both sites. Pre-, intra- and postprocedural data were collected. Descriptive statistics were performed to outline complications associated with CSF collection.ResultsCSF sampling was attempted on 108 occasions, and CSF was acquired on 100 occasions (92.6%). Collection from the CMC was more likely to be successful than that from the LSAS. No dogs exhibited neurologic deterioration following CSF collection. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-CSF collection short-form Glasgow composite measure pain scores in ambulatory dogs (p = 0.13).LimitationsThe scarcity of complications limited the ability to quantify the incidence of some potential complications reported elsewhere.ConclusionsOur results may be used to inform clinicians and owners that CSF sampling is associated with a low frequency of complications when performed by trained personnel

Risk factors associated with short-term mortality and recurrence of status epilepticus in dogs

Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency associated with serious consequences for both patient and owner. Data regarding risk factors for short-term mortality or recurrence in dogs with SE is limited. Objective: Identify risk factors associated with short-term mortality (euthanasia or spontaneous death) and recurrence of SE in dogs. Animals: One hundred twenty-four client-owned dogs that sustained an episode of SE. Methods: Retrospective multicenter study using data collected from medical records of dogs presented in SE to the contributing institutions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using a manual backwards stepwise approach to identify risk factors associated with short-term mortality and recurrence of SE after discharge. Results: Short-term mortality for affected dogs was 29.8%. Factors significantly associated with short-term mortality included increased patient age, shorter duration of hospitalization, development of SE before arrival, and SE caused by a potentially fatal etiology. Status epilepticus recurred in 27% of dogs that survived to discharge. Factors significantly associated with recurrence of SE included prior history of pharmacoresistant epilepsy and predominance of a focal seizure phenotype. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Our results may be used to inform clinicians and dog owners regarding risk factors for both short-term mortality and recurrence in dogs with SE