Purpose.To report the mean and median pelvic limb joint angles and girth measurements in miniature Dachshunds presenting with varying degrees of pelvic limb weakness secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion.Methods.15 miniature Dachshunds who presented to WSU-VTH for thoracolumbar disc extrusion. Dachshunds varied in neurologic status from ambulatory paraparetic to paraplegic at the time of measurements.Results.There were no significant differences in joint angles or girth among the three groups (ambulatory paraparetic, nonambulatory paraparetic, or paraplegic) (P>0.05). When group was disregarded and values for extension, flexion, and girth combined, no differences existed.Conclusions.Goniometry and limb girth measurements can successfully be made in the miniature Dachshund; however, the shape of the Dachshund leg makes obtaining these values challenging. There were no differences in joint angle or girth measurements between dogs with varying neurologic dysfunction at the time of measurement.

Nerve sheath tumors (NSTs) are well-recognized primary nervous system tumors, but there is relatively limited information in dogs including comparison of NSTs in different anatomical locations. This retrospective study describes the clinical features and outcomes in a group of dogs with NSTs affecting the cranial nerves or spinal nerves. Thirty dogs were included, 25 with a presumptive diagnosis and five confirmed by histopathologic analysis. Seven dogs also had cytology of tumor samples, which were supportive of the NST diagnosis in four. Eight dogs had cranial nerve-associated NSTs, with six involving the trigeminal nerve. Twenty-two dogs had spinal nerve-associated NSTs including 13 invading the spinal canal and nine peripheral to the spinal canal, with the majority affecting nerves or nerve roots of the brachial plexus. The prognosis was poor, with dogs being euthanized eventually because of disease progression. Among dogs alive 1 week after diagnosis, the median survival time was 4 months but ranged from 2 weeks to >2 years. While there was a broad overlap between NST locations, survival was generally longer for dogs without spinal canal or intracranial involvement. The results expand available information on NSTs in dogs but should be interpreted with caution given the small number of dogs with a definitive diagnosis. Further investigation is warranted to determine how tumor location, invasiveness, and treatments pursued impact outcome.

Congenital epidermoid cysts are slow-growing, mass lesions caused by the abnormal inclusion of neuroectodermal tissue within the developing central nervous system. Subtotal excision of epidermoid cysts increases the risk of early recurrence of clinical signs. A 4-year-old female spayed boxer was presented with a 4-month history of ambulatory paraparesis and proprioceptive ataxia. Neurological examination localized a T3-L3 myelopathy. MRI revealed a T1 iso- to hypointense, T2 and FLAIR hyperintense, rim-enhancing mass at the level of the T9-T10 vertebrae resulting in extradural compression of the spinal cord. This was histopathologically confirmed as an extradural epidermoid cyst following subtotal excision. MRI performed 2 months post-operatively revealed a significant decrease of the lesion volume. The dog was neurologically normal following the surgery however re-presented 28 months later with recurrence of clinical signs. A 28-month post-operative MRI revealed substantial enlargement of the epidermoid cyst. The dog was subsequently taken for repeat decompressive surgery. At 6 months from the repeat surgery, the dog was neurologically static with mild proprioceptive deficits. The case report highlights the clinical and MRI features of a recurrent extradural spinal epidermoid cyst treated by subtotal excision.

In the twentieth century, bed rest was commonly prescribed by human healthcare professionals as a treatment for a variety of ailments including spinal cord injury and disease. With time, the negative impact of bed rest was recognized as a source of slow and even reduced patient healing. As treatment paradigms shifted, the utility and importance of physical rehabilitation (PR) as a critical adjunctive treatment for human patients with spinal cord injury became fully recognized. Today, standardized PR protocols exist for humans with the spinal cord disease, but the same cannot be said for our veterinary patients with spinal cord injury. The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss the effects of inactivity on the musculoskeletal system and to explore how and why PR can play a critical role in improved mobility and overall health in the veterinary patient with spinal cord injury. Research with a focus on the effects of inactivity, in the form of cage rest, for the veterinary patient with spinal cord injury is lacking.

Seizures are a common presentation seen in small animal practices. Seizures require prompt management including initial interventions for triage, stabilization, and treatment with first-line anticonvulsant (AC) drugs like benzodiazepines. Concurrently, ruling out metabolic or extracranial causes with point-of-care diagnostics can help guide further diagnostics and treatments. Analysis of the history and a physical exam are also necessary to rule out common “look-alikes” that require specific diagnostic workup and treatments. Typically, causes of seizures can be grouped into intracranial and extracranial causes, with the latter being easier to diagnose with commonly available tests. This review presents a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of single seizures, cluster seizures, and status epilepticus in dogs and cats.